In a seismic political shift that has redrawn the Caribbean nation’s political landscape, the New Democratic Party (NDP) has decisively ended Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ nearly quarter-century rule. The November 27 general elections resulted in a stunning 14-1 parliamentary victory for the opposition, marking one of the most dramatic political transitions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ recent history.
Prominent Barbadian pollster Peter Wickham, who served as an analyst for the defeated Unity Labour Party (ULP), revealed the outcome aligned perfectly with his electoral projections. “The results are certainly consistent with my science,” Wickham commented during a state-sponsored broadcast analysis. “While it could easily have not happened this way, the science suggested this was entirely possible.”
The electoral devastation saw the ULP retain just one seat—Prime Minister Gonsalves’ own North Central Windward constituency, which he has held since 1994. Among the notable casualties were Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar and Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, both considered potential successors to the longtime leader. Caesar failed to secure a fourth consecutive term, while the younger Gonsalves lost his bid for a third term.
Wickham, whose career as a political analyst coincided exactly with Gonsalves’ time in power, described the moment as historically significant. “I’ve watched the evolution of this career with great interest,” he reflected. “St. Vincent has always been very close to me, and I’m now anxious to see how Dr. Friday is able to take over.”
The victorious NDP, led by Dr. Godwin Friday, achieved a remarkable electoral performance, garnering 37,002 popular votes—nearly 10,000 more than the ULP. This represents the most decisive victory by any political party in terms of seat count since 1989, when the NDP won all 15 parliamentary seats. Friday, who has represented Northern Grenadines since 2001, succeeded on his second attempt at leadership after failing to unseat the ULP in 2020.
The political transition marks the end of an era that began in 2001 when Gonsalves’ ULP ended 17 years of NDP governance. Wickham noted the philosophical acceptance of political change, stating: “Politics is about change, and I understand there will be an ebb and flow. The NDP could not stay out of office forever.”