In a dramatic political upheaval, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has elected Godwin Friday’s New Democratic Party (NDP) to power, ending the 24-year rule of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP). The NDP secured a commanding victory, capturing 14 of the 15 parliamentary seats in Thursday’s general election.
Prime Minister-designate Friday, 66, will become the nation’s seventh head of government after his party achieved the largest electoral victory since 1989. The outcome marks a significant rejection of the ULP’s bid for an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office.
The election results have reduced former Prime Minister Gonsalves, CARICOM’s longest-serving head of government, to the solitary opposition lawmaker in Parliament. This represents a remarkable fall for the 79-year-old leader whose party had dominated Vincentian politics for nearly a quarter-century.
Celebrations erupted across the nation as preliminary results circulated, with the largest gathering occurring outside NDP headquarters on Murray’s Road in Kingstown. Supporters engaged in raucous victory celebrations featuring amplified music, street dancing, horn-blowing, and fireworks throughout Thursday night.
Among the notable victories were Laverne Gibson-Velox, who defeated Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves in East St. George, and Shevern John, who secured North Windward. Their elections mark the first time women have entered Parliament since 2001, breaking a significant gender barrier in Vincentian politics.
The defeat raises profound questions about the ULP’s future, particularly after the losses of both the finance minister and Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar, who had been identified as potential future leaders of the party.
Friday, speaking via state media shortly after midnight, struck a conciliatory tone, emphasizing national unity and immediate action on campaign promises. “The election is behind us now,” he stated, “and I want to see this country come together and we put ourselves and our backs to the wheel and quickly work to build St. Vincent and the Grenadines for all of us.”
The prime minister-designate announced plans for a public holiday on Friday to allow citizens to recuperate from the extended campaign period while celebrating the democratic process. He is expected to be sworn in during the afternoon alongside key members of his administration.
Regional leaders quickly extended congratulations, with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness praising the “peaceful and democratic process” and St. Lucia’s Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet noting the victory as “a testament to your perseverance, your integrity and the trust the people have placed in your leadership.”
Political analysts noted an average 5% swing away from the ULP, continuing a trend of dwindling support observed over recent elections. The outcome provides substantial material for regional political analysis given the decisive nature of the victory and the end of one of the Caribbean’s most enduring political eras.