In his first major interview since assuming office, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock has issued a firm directive to public sector workers: cooperate with the new administration or step aside. Speaking on Boom FM just days after being sworn in as Minister of National Security and Immigration, the four-term MP for Central Kingstown outlined his vision for governance without retaliation.
The newly appointed minister addressed several contentious issues, including the status of Police Commissioner Enville Williams. Leacock declined to publicly evaluate the commissioner’s performance, emphasizing that Williams deserves “his own degree of privacy and protection” until a proper assessment is conducted. This stance comes amid social media speculation about alleged disrespect toward Prime Minister Godwin Friday, specifically regarding saluting protocols.
Leacock, who holds the rank of major in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cadet Force, demonstrated nuanced understanding of police protocols. He noted that while officers are required to salute MPs, many younger officers might not recognize officials, and more experienced officers understand these courtesies. He dismissed claims of intentional disrespect, stating, “I don’t think outwardly, the commissioner of police will disrespect the prime minister.”
The deputy prime minister revealed he had already met with Williams for three hours to discuss standards in the police force, including concerns about officers “sauntering about the city” rather than marching professionally. While acknowledging that police commissioners are appointed by the governor-general on the prime minister’s advice, Leacock emphasized that the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration is “not in the business of head-hunting.”
However, Leacock issued a clear warning to those considering obstructionism: “If you know that your intention is to be an obstructionist, make life easy for us… If you know that you’re uncomfortable, you do not want to walk with this administration, then do the right thing; take leave of the office.” He stressed that while the government prefers continuity and best practices, it would act decisively when presented with sufficient evidence of non-cooperation.
The minister also addressed broader governance issues, noting that some state board members had yet to resign despite protocol requiring them to do so when a new government takes office. He characterized this as a matter of good governance rather than “witch-hunting,” allowing the new administration to appoint its preferred leadership.
Leacock concluded with a vision for national unity, moving beyond partisan divisions: “If we remain the divisive red party, yellow party, if we remain as colour-coded as we came into this paradigm, then we would lose our way… There has to be a reconciliation. There has to be a healing.” He described reciprocity as “the order of the day” for what he characterized as “a new Democratic Party administration for all Vincentians.”