My conversation with an NDP executive member

Editor: I’m very fortunate to have recently had a conversation with an executive member of the New Democratic Party (NDP); it was a very informative conversation. I began the conversation by asking him about the NDP’s convention; he said to me that it would take place in November 2016 and no changes are expected to take place at the convention. This, he said, with a distinct level of disappointment.{{more}}

He then mentioned to me he is a bit upset because Dr Godwin Friday and Major St Clair Leacock are not prepared to challenge Mr Arnhim Eustace for leadership of the NDP.

According to this executive member, Dr Friday is hesitant because he believes that Vincentians aren’t ready for him as leader of the NDP, and Mr Leacock’s reason is because he thinks Mr Eustace is responsible for him being in Parliament as a senator, and he simply doesn’t want to be ungrateful.

As the conversation progressed, the executive member stated that Dr Ferdinand, Mr Leacock, Mr Eustace and Mr Cummings are all quickly approaching the age of 70 and he wondered how long they could go on.

He said Nigel Stephenson and Terrance Ollivierre are only winners because of the NDP and they lack the depth that is required of a leader. He also said he thinks that seeing that Dr Friday and Mr Leacock are not prepared to challenge Mr Eustace for leadership, they should be made to resign from their positions as vice-presidents of the party, as it is time for fresh legs in the leadership.

He then said with the NDP having been in opposition for 15 years, winning seems to be a thing of the past for the party.

According to the executive member, today, the NDP is entrusting their public relations to Bert Francois, Igal Adams, Margaret London and Douglas DeFreitas and when one considers what they have in common, it is alarming. He also said, in his opinion, these people have no level of influence on the political landscape of this country and they are an utter and complete waste of time and effort.

I told him in my view, Mr Eustace should give up leadership of the party as he lacks aggressiveness; he is way too laid back and lacks the charismatic drive that is needed to lead a political party. I also told him that Vincentians and supporters of the NDP should give Mr Leacock a chance, but first Mr Leacock needs to stand up and be counted and stop being a loyalist to Mr Eustace. He needs to realize that he can do much more for the NDP as its leader.

The executive member agreed with me that many young people are not attracted to the NDP because the image of the youth leadership is not attractive and does not command respect from young people. He then asked me my thoughts on the women’s arm of the NDP, I responded by saying I pay little attention to that department of the NDP, so I think they should speak up and let their voices be heard.

I told him that I think the NDP needs wholesale changes in relation to persons like Brian Alexander, Mr Neverson, Luzette King, Mr Lewis and Carlyle Douglas. Could you imagine that these persons think that they are the best thing since sliced bread? It’s very astonishing; I then ended the conversation by saying the NDP made extremely poor choices for spokespersons. Wrong move!

Sometimes I wonder what Mr Patel Matthews thinks about the NDP’s position and leadership, so here are some questions for Mr Matthews:

(i) After winning by 12 votes in the last general election, should the NDP give you the position of vice-president to boost your chances of victory? (ii) Are you frustrated with the leadership of the NDP? (iii) Why aren’t you making a bid for the position of vice-president of the NDP?

Mr Matthews, if you continue to play second fiddle to Mr Leacock, you would lose your seat in the next election. You need to get up and be counted before it’s too late, because one day you might say “if I did know”. Anyways, I gone!

Kingsley De Freitas