ULP failures that cannot be repeated
EDITOR: Congratulations to Dr. Friday and his team on their very decisive victory in the November 2025 election. Now that cabinet ministers have been sworn in, they must steadfastly focus on the tasks ahead and make a concerted effort to avoid the mistakes of the former ULP government. These failures cannot be repeated by all means. First, we must commend the ULP government for the infrastructural achievements and educational transformation over the party’s years in power.
Specifically, the Argyle International Airport opened the gateway for more frequent international travel, and for the expansion of tourism.
It gave us the Sandals Resort and other investments in the hotel industry. The continual increase in the number of overseas scholarships is testimony to the ULP claims of educational transformation. The myth by partisan political pundits and supporters that the ULP government did nothing for St. Vincent & The Grenadines must be completely dispelled.
However, the shortcomings of the ULP governance were clearly pronounced and the mood of the electorate was a resounding desire for change. This yearning was evident in the 14 to 1 seat victory by the NDP. There was very little room to avoid this devastating defeat.
What were the failures that the voters were so angry about? The conditions of the roads in general were quite obvious to the people in their respective constituencies. Quite notable were the roads leading from Belair to Belmont and Mesopotamia. Drivers on this road can attest to the fact that it is impossible to avoid a pothole along this route. The roads leading to the beaches on the Leeward side of the island beyond Buccament Bay are atrocious.
Those who frequent these beaches on this side of the island can attest to this. NDP must correct this failure and make every effort to improve the roads leading to the Leeward beaches and their surroundings. Improvements in these areas will go a long way to create a more attractive environment for our beach lovers and tourists.
Related to roads was the prolonged period that it took the former government to complete road projects, and in several cases, the eventual incompletion of some of these projects.
The Calliaqua and Twenty-Hill road projects in East St. George and South Leeward Constituencies respectively, are but two examples of this shortcoming. Whether or not these were contractual failures, the government must be held responsible for lack of government oversight and inadequate project management for these projects.
The people in these two constituencies can attest to the pain and inconveniences that they experienced in their respective neighbourhoods. The new government must ensure that government oversight is consistent and effectively administered if, or when projects are contracted out to independent companies, and party loyalists and supporters.
Speaking of party loyalists and supporters who hold positions of authority in government and statutory bodies, their attitudes to the general public and immoral behaviours must be monitored and cannot go unchecked. This was a sin in the previous government. The pastor at the cabinet swearing-in ceremony reminded and warned us that it is immoral and terrible when young women have to give up assets to get assets (jobs, building material and funds) from government. A horrible practice of the past that should absolutely not be repeated in this government.
Finally, complacency and lack of community engagement is a political death sentence. Continual organization of community activities and participation in them help to build positive and lasting relationships with the people of a constituency. Politicians who abandon their constituencies and make themselves inaccessible to the people do not deserve any sympathy from voters.You cannot abandon your constituency and return only at election time to seek their vote. Take heed NDP and avoid repeating these failures of the former ULP government.
Doing so will go a long way to help sustain a successful government.
B-Das.
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