Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
R. Rose
May 8, 2009

Politics and the national good

(A reprint from 1979)

History contains some very valuable lessons for us, if only we try to learn from them. Regrettably, that is often not the case, especially where politics is concerned and as a result we seem doomed to repeat many of the mistakes of the past. The occasional glimpses I provide through this column of some of our historical legacy are aimed at reflecting on important episodes in our historical development. One such period was touched last week, the time of the volcanic eruptions of La Soufriere in 1979.{{more}} This week I am offering a reprint of a letter which I wrote to the VINCENTIAN newspaper, dated April 28,1979.

Note: I was at the time General Secretary of the progressive political party, YULIMO, which had advocated national unity to tackle the Soufriere crisis. “Strolling Scribbler” was a regular contributor to the VINCENTIAN newspaper.

Dear Madame Editor,

Permit me to share a few thoughts with your readers on “La Soufriere, Politics and the National Good”.

I have noticed that following the first eruptions of the Soufriere volcano, there have been calls in some quarters for the shelving of “politics” given the current national crisis. Those who do so are either genuinely confused in their conception of what constitutes politics or are afraid of broad public discussion as to the political implications of the eruptions.

La Soufriere and its eruptions have a whole host of implications for this society-economic, social and political. In attempting to grapple with the problems caused by the eruptions, one has not only got to look at the economic and social problems, we need to try and come up with political solutions as well. But these problems have got to be solved on the basis of the national good and not on narrow, selfish aims of this or that party.

Hence what is needed is not a shelving of “politics” but an approach to politics based on the particular circumstances of the moment, an approach based on national survival which is today our main task. One has therefore got to approach politics at the present time, not within a framework of partisan politics which sows disunity and discord, but within the framework of national unity. It is regrettable that many of our current politicians, both within the government and opposition, do not quite seem to appreciate this fact.

We need at this hour due cooperation at all levels of the society and a broad consensus among all political parties on a common programme of action in the national interest. Should we survive the eruptions of La Soufriere, the rehabilitation programme can never be successfully implemented in an atmosphere of politicking, division and distrust. This will do neither the nation nor the various political parties any good.

It is on the basis of recognizing the prime necessity for national survival that YULIMO, true to its patriotic traditions ,has formulated its current line .It is therefore very mischievous of “Strolling Scribbler” to suggest that YULIMO’s current line is “….just another form of smart propaganda”. Had YULIMO taken the short-sighted and selfish line of other opposition parties, Scribbler would have roundly condemned us for it .Let him give praise where praise is due, reluctantly though it might be.

As to the surprise expressed in several quarters about YULIMO’s position, it is good to recall our position during a period of similar national interest, our country’s march towards independence. YULIMO was then the only political party which boldly supported the governments efforts to seek independence, and, like today, we also advocated national unity. Our disagreements with the government were not about whether we should seek independence or whether the time is ripe (for independence), but on the basis of the lack of involvement of the people, the failure to forge national unity.

Our position today is therefore consistent with our views and actions, in keeping with our approach of what is best for our country as a whole.

Thanking you,

Renwick E.A. Rose

Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Villa woman in  hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Front Page
    Villa woman in hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Police are said to be carrying out investigations into the stabbing of Rafia Sardine, a 20-year-old female of Villa. Reports are that Sardine, a FLOW ...
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Front Page
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    In St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an analysis has found that the most hacked government entity was the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Polic...
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Front Page
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Leaders of Governments and institutions from countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the continent of Africa, gathered at the weekend for ...
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Front Page
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is proud of the persons in his constituency who continue to aim for higher education. Dr Gonsalves is the parliame...
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Front Page
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A van conductor, who beat his five- months pregnant ex-girlfriend after she refused to get back with him, has been remanded pending sentencing. Onez J...
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    From the Courts, News
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A Lowman’s Hill man who struck another villager in his head with a piece of steel will know his fate tomorrow, September 10, 2025. Kevin Roberts, 25, ...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok