A brief history of Sir James Mitchell

Editor, I felt compelled to write this article based on a recent conversation I had with a young Vincentian national, age 25, who visited the New Democratic Party Headquarters.

The individual didn’t recognize two photos that are on display on the walls depicting this country’s second Prime Minister Sir James Fitz- Allen Mitchell. The photos are two of Sir James in his youthful age, and unfortunately, there is no name nor history of Sir James under the said photos. This will be corrected soon.

I took the pleasure of giving the individual the name and a brief history. I was further stunned when I was told that it was the first time the name Sir James was being heard and of the knowledge that he was a former Prime Minister. It’s quite obvious that Sir James was elected in his last term as Prime in the year 1998, the said year the individual was born.

I am also aware that the individual was approximately three years old when this present Government, whilst in opposition, blocked the roads in this country and forced the New Democratic Party Government to call fresh elections in 2001, two years earlier than was constitutionally due. My other question to that individual was, “Have you ever heard of the roadblock revolution in 2000?” The answer was “a little”.

I started questioning myself. Could someone really have completed primary and secondary school without knowing who was this country’s second Prime Minister? What conversations normally take place in our homes today? Are we as a political party doing enough to appeal to and educate that age group?

I am even more convinced and will start to work even harder to educate our young people who unfortunately only know of the Ralph Gonsalves’ led administration. I would teach them that it was under Sir James’ leadership that the Cruise Ship Terminal was constructed, the Campden Park Port, the Canouan Development Project, the Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard, the implementation of Traffic lights, the development of the Sion Hill Intersection, the construction of the Financial Complex, the Bequia, Union, and Canouan Airports, the construction of Leeward Highway, the reconstruction of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, The construction of the Fish market and Little Tokyo, the reform program purchasing of Orange Hill Estate, the paying of the Economic Cost for all students studying at the University of the West Indies, Introduction of the Student Loan program, Establishment of the Book Loan Scheme; Establishment of schools computer programmes and computer labs; The implementation of STATVEC project to enhance Technical and Vocational Education came on stream; The establishment of the Community College; Placement of Street lights throughout the country, construction of village roads all over the country (gouty tracks) and a number of feeder roads throughout the country; the Windward Water Project; construction of the road from Fancy to Georgetown; Amendment to the Constitution to give recognition to women and men as equal partners in Vincentian society. As a result, both women and men could confer status/citizenship to their foreign spouses and children, which only the latter could have done. I can go on and on.

Let’s all play our part in educating our youths, especially those in that age bracket. In fact, this should be basic information taught at the kindergarten level. I am therefore urging you to take up this mantle and educate our young ones.

Brenton Smith