I am weary and confused with Dr Gonsalves

Editor: Politics and politicians are quite unique in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG); from what little I remember, the late Mr and Mrs Joshua were very outstanding politicians. What they did for SVG was very unique, just to name three things: the ET Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale, reclaimed lands opposite the Central Police Station in Kingstown, and their efforts as trade unionists helped to strengthen our cause today.{{more}}

Sometimes I wonder how many Vincentians remember the Joshuas for what they did for SVG; there is an old saying “out of sight, out of mind;” this is not how we should remember persons who served us well.

The Hon Robert Milton Cato did extremely well with our country’s development; a few things that stand out in my opinion: the National Insurance Services; the NCB, now Bank of SVG and the Campden Park industrial area. While he did not do enough for East St George, he will be remembered as an outstanding politician and will always be thanked for his contributions to SVG.

Sir James Mitchell, former Prime Minister of SVG, is still alive and has retired politically, but yet he thinks that the NDP should ask him for advice when they plan on doing anything. What Sir James did for SVG is what was expected of him. Today’s prime minister is Dr Ralph Gonsalves; sometimes I wonder if Dr Gonsalves’ only interest is to stay longer as Prime Minister than Sir James. Let me remind you that Dr Gonsalves once said he only wanted two terms as this country’s prime minister, but it appears that he has changed his mind.

“Oh, what a little power could do.” Yes, the Prime Minister is trying, but the question is: ‘Why do things seem so hard in SVG?’

The economy appears to be struggling, the agriculture industry is failing, the poor people are getting poorer and unemployment is an ill. Building an international airport is a good idea, but what about the infrastructure that is needed to support the building of the airport? Dr Gonsalves’ exploits as Prime Minister are coming to an end. I’m weary and confused with Dr Gonsalves. Is it Dr Gonsalves’ plan to appoint Camillo Gonsalves as his successor? Let’s face it, Saboto Caesar doesn’t exhibit the depth, so it’s up to Dr Gonsalves to appoint a successor and there is no doubt that no one in the ULP will challenge Dr Gonsalves when he suggests Camillo should be the leader of the ULP, and that is what Dr Gonsalves is putting into place. The question we should ask ourselves is what is Dr Gonsalves’ interest in finding a suitable person to lead the ULP? It should not be Camillo, just because he is Dr Gonsalves’ son.

Dr Gonsalves once said that young Vincentians are attracted to the ULP; that may be true. We once had senators Rochelle Forde, Jomo Thomas, Ronnie Marks, Richard Williams, David Browne, Elvis Charles, Camillo Gonsalves and Saboto Caesar. Only two former senators made it as elected parliamentarians, Saboto Caesar and Camillo Gonsalves; the political careers of the other senators who were mentioned are dead. The question one should ask is why Rochelle Forde was not given the chance to contest in East St George and why Fitz Huggins decided to take up a position in Canada to facilitate Camillo? That’s why Dr Gonsalves found an opportunity to get rid of Jomo Thomas, by placing him as the Speaker of the House of Assembly after Jomo’s first and only outing. The Prime Minister will say to Jomo that he failed to win a seat in South Leeward, so let’s try Grenville Williams, so that will be the end of Jomo’s political career. Jomo, the people of East Kingstown are saying you are a part of them, but you allowed Dr Gonsalves to trick you by telling you that you can win in South Leeward. There is no doubt that Jomo has some level of leadership qualities and may be successful in East Kingstown whenever Mr Eustace decides to give up the constituency, but Dr Gonsalves wants Luke Browne because he is a ‘yes man’.

Sometimes I wonder what Glen Beache thinks about the leadership of the ULP. His father, Sir Vincent, was pushed aside. I think he should make a return and make a bid for leadership. So, I’m hoping Glen pushes back, because what goes around comes around!

I gone!

Kingsley DeFreitas