Time for a change in NDP leadership

Editor: The New Democratic Party (NDP) is still in opposition and it’s time they face the reality that they lost the December 9, 2015 general elections. As a supporter, I am very exhausted with the NDP continuing to cry foul about losing an election that they thought they should have won. It’s more than time to move forward and focus on how the party can grow. While they have the right to protest, it appears that the protests aren’t working, and it’s obvious that the protests held outside the electoral office are failing.{{more}}

Vincentians appear to have lost all interest in voicing their opinion; sometimes I wonder why? Is it that they are satisfied with the way things are going, or is it that they are simply afraid of what the Prime Minister would think of them? Is it true to say that there is some level of fear among Vincentians to speak their opinions?

Regardless, I will continue to express my opinion the way I see it. Our opinions are very important and we should not be pressured into silence.

Some Vincentians are calling for the NDP to relieve themselves of the leadership of Mr Eustace, but the question is who should or could replace Mr Eustace? I was told by a member of the executive when they called on Mr Eustace to resign, that reply was that a by-election will be the end result. From what I’m being told, it appears that Mr Eustace is holding this position over the head of the NDP. Sometimes I wonder how Mr Burton Williams feels about this position by Mr Eustace. Vincentians are wondering why Mr Eustace is holding on to the leadership position of the NDP, when it is clear that he lacks the necessary leadership skill set to gain success for the NDP in general elections.

Is Mr Eustace the main link that is keeping the NDP together? Mr Eustace realizes that for him to survive as leader he must change the NDP constitution, whereby the elected parliamentarians do not determine who is the leader of the party and that’s where Mr Eustace gets his strength from. Yes, Vincentians are asking for a change of leadership in the NDP; just who would be a suitable replacement?

I honestly believe that Mr Leacock (MP) should replace Mr Eustace, but he sits aside and wants persons to fight his battles for him. He keeps stating that he is a team player, but let’s face it, being a team player won’t get him anywhere. Mr Leacock it’s time for you to get up and be counted; stop being a loyalist to Mr Eustace. Let me remind you that Mr Eustace never wanted you, but yet you think Mr Eustace is irreplaceable. It’s time for you to wake up and smell the coffee, my friend, as I said earlier, being a team player won’t get you anywhere, Mr Leacock.

The December 9, 2015 general elections results are vivid proof that Vincentians are yearning for a change in the NDP’s leadership; the only person who could have made a bid for leadership of the NDP is Dr Lewis, but he failed to win his seat in those general elections. I was told by a very senior official of NDP that they prefer to lose a general election, instead of winning with Dr Lewis – don’t ask me who told me.

Leadership is very important; it’s not about the leader, it’s about leadership. No entity or organization can be successful without proper leadership. It’s time for the rank and file of the NDP to stop and think and find a leader who actually leads. Yes, Mr Eustace won his seat, but failed to convince Vincentians in the December 9, 2015 general elections that he is Prime Minister material. Who should Mr Eustace blame for failing to convince Vincentians that he can lead them? If one compares the leadership of Dr Gonsalves to the leadership of Mr Eustace, Dr Gonsalves is miles ahead. Dr Gonsalves has been successful in winning the last four general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines and that by itself displays a certain level of leadership that Mr Eustace should aspire to achieve.

Vincentians are looking for leadership from the NDP, and that’s why they continue to lose at the poles. Changing the leader is the only way that the NDP can be successful in a general election, because it’s clear that Vincentians are exhausted with the current NDP leadership.

Mr Eustace probably sees Dr Jules Ferdinand as the man in the mirror who should replace him, but for Doc to replace Mr Eustace, he first needs to win a seat, but Ces McKie has entrenched himself in West St George, so it’s extremely difficult for Dr Ferdinand to win. The NDP has a lot of work to do in terms of candidate selection; many changes need to occur in the NDP’s current candidates. My suggestion is Mr Bash should have been replaced by senator Barnwell, Mr Patel Matthews, who won his seat by 12 votes, should be replaced by someone who can be more convincing; there is no doubt that Nigel Stephenson needs to be replaced because it has been 15 years and he isn’t showing any sort of political growth.

Madam Editor, while I’m writing this letter, I’m hearing through the NDP’s platform “Nice Radio”, that Mr Israel Bruce will be replacing Bash. In my opinion, that is disappointing. Going back to Mr Bruce is an extremely backward move and a very terrible mistake. Why isn’t Zita Barnwell given a chance to rally? Other changes that can be made to gain success, Dr Lewis should be replaced by Mr John and Mr Dickson must be replaced!

It’s time for someone to challenge the leadership of Mr Eustace, for the good of the NDP. This is not an attack on Mr Eustace, it’s just time for a change and Vincentians are yearning for a change in the NDP’s leadership.

It appears that all those persons I mentioned in my letter are afraid to challenge Mr. Eustace and find a suitable leader for the NDP. The question is “why are they so afraid”?

I gone !!

Kingsley De Freitas