Sir James Mitchell looking for attention

EDITOR: Sir James Mitchell served this country well as the Prime Minister; he did what was expected of him, so this country owes him no favours. He got paid for the job he did, but suddenly, Sir James is of the belief that when he speaks, Vincentians should listen to what he says. Yes, there is no doubt that he has experience, but it’s clear that he is living in the past.{{more}}

Recently, I heard Sir James being very critical of Mr Eustace as the leader of the NDP. It is true that Sir James is the founding father of the NDP, but in this day and age the NDP has surpassed Sir James and he needs to realize that.

Over the years I’ve considered Sir James to be a statesman, but his recent comments about Mr Eustace have led me to believe different. There should be a level of respect shown to the leader of the party he founded. It was once said that when Sir James was the Prime Minister, Sir Vincent Beache could have never become Prime Minister; we all know about that era. Today, that same thought applies to Mr Eustace. Once Dr Gonsalves is the Prime Minister, it is extremely difficult for Mr Eustace to defeat him. When I heard Sir James say it’s a waste of time having Mr Eustace as the leader of the NDP, it had me wondering about how committed Sir James is to the NDP.

It’s very difficult to believe that Sir James would make those comments about Mr Eustace; all he is doing is giving Clem Ballah, Elson Crick, Burns Bonadie and the ULP ammunition to fight the party he founded. To me, that’s simply redundant and it’s very unprofessional. It’s clear that Mr Eustace was correct when he referred to Sir James as an acolyte of the ULP, because only a person with that kind of tendency operates in such a manner. The comments made by Sir James about Mr Eustace and the NDP on Boom 106.9 FM were very disgraceful and Sir James should be ashamed of what he said.

For those Vincentians who agree with Sir James comments, ask yourselves this: Do you think you would hear Sir Vincent Beache bad mouthing the ULP as Sir James did the NDP and Mr Eustace? My opinion is no!! I believe he would demonstrate statesmanship and maintain his respect.

It appears that Sir James is searching for attention and I’m hoping that Vincentians won’t give him any. Sir James, Vincentians said no to you in 2001 and today you are a total waste of time. You have no level of influence on the political landscape of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Please, simply step aside and allow Mr Eustace to run the NDP. Bad-mouthing Mr Eustace won’t make a difference – only persons in the ULP would use what you say to the ULP’s advantage. Sir James, I truly expected much better of you. Why are you allowing Bing Joseph, who happens to be your son-in-law, to play you like a fool? Sir James, why do you think your audio is being played by Star FM and WE FM? It’s to show your lack of commitment to the political party that you built. “Oh what a shame”.

Only a person like Frank Da Silva would agree with Sir James, because it appears that they are both obsessed with Mr Eustace. Today, I’m wondering if Sir James remembered who referred to him as a windbag, and what was the Ottley Hall inquiry about? Sir James, don’t be fooled; let me ask you these questions:

Why did you go to the Privy Council? Was the Ottley Hall Inquiry a witch hunt just to get at you? Two Attorneys General served under your government – could you remember who led the charge on getting them out of office? Why don’t you speak on issues that truly affect Vincentians? You once made Mr Eustace Permanent Secretary and the Prime Minister, so why today you don’t think that he is capable of the task?

I was told by my father, Mr William De Freitas, who is deceased, that Vincentians abused Sir James at the market square. He said it was very embarrassing; so I’m wondering if it’s because of spite and malice why he built the monstrosity in Kingstown that’s called the market. Sir James, you need to keep in mind that you are the founder of the NDP, so when you criticize them, don’t you think you’re criticizing yourself?

Respect should be given to the NDP and its leader, Mr Eustace. Remember your roots, Sir James. Remember!!

Kingsley De Freitas