In a significant political development, veteran opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves formally commenced his parliamentary duties on Thursday by taking the oaths of allegiance and declaration. This ceremony occurred just prior to the newly elected New Democratic Party administration presenting the 2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
The swearing-in follows a notable procedural incident where House Speaker Ronnia Durham-Balcombe had previously excluded Gonsalves from a parliamentary committee meeting due to his delayed oath-taking. At 79 years old, Gonsalves now enters his 32nd year as representative for North Central Windward, making him both the longest-serving and oldest sitting parliamentarian.
Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party suffered a devastating electoral collapse in the November 27 polls, securing only one seat compared to the NDP’s 14-seat victory. This outcome ended the ULP’s 24-year governance period that began with a landslide 12-3 win in 2001.
The opposition leader had previously expressed uncertainty about his swearing-in timeline, telling a December press conference he was giving the matter “prayerful consideration” while maintaining his constitutional position as opposition leader appointed by the Governor General.
Accompanying Gonsalves in Thursday’s ceremony were two opposition senators: Carlos James, who lost the North Leeward seat after one term, and Keisal Peter, a former ULP senator and minister who failed to secure the West Kingstown constituency.
House Speaker Durham-Balcombe formally welcomed the opposition members, declaring “The House is now fully constituted” following the ceremony. The political transition marks a dramatic reversal for the ULP, which had governed since 2001 but faced declining popular support despite major infrastructure projects, ultimately culminating in their recent electoral collapse.