Prime Minister Godwin Friday has reaffirmed his characterization of a “silent crisis in poverty” gripping St. Vincent and the Grenadines, pushing back against criticism from opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves during the recently concluded Budget Debate. The political confrontation revealed sharply divergent perspectives on poverty measurement and government transparency in the Caribbean nation.
The controversy originated from Friday’s February 9 Budget Address, where he asserted that approximately one-third of Vincentians either live in poverty or remain precariously close to economic hardship. This assessment drew strong rebuttal from Gonsalves, who led the Unity Labour Party government from 2001 until last November, when Friday’s New Democratic Party assumed power after 25 years of ULP governance.
Gonsalves attempted to dismantle the poverty framing by citing international comparisons, noting that even developed nations like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada face similar economic vulnerability rates. He referenced CBS reporting indicating 40% of Americans are one missed paycheck from poverty, while highlighting studies showing significant economic precarity in the UK and Canada.
Prime Minister Friday firmly rejected these comparative arguments, stating: “I don’t live in another country. I live here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” He emphasized that poverty’s existence elsewhere doesn’t justify its acceptance domestically but rather underscores the urgency of eradication efforts.
The Prime Minister unveiled specific economic metrics to substantiate his claims, revealing that the indigence line had surged by 28% to EC$3,142, while the poverty line increased by 18% to EC$6,547. According to his administration’s analysis, approximately 26% of Vincentians currently cannot meet basic food and non-food requirements, with an additional 8% classified as vulnerable to falling into poverty.
Friday accused previous administrations of deliberately suppressing unfavorable poverty data, citing a 1967-1972 University of the West Indies study that was allegedly suspended due to unwelcome findings. He further claimed that a 2018-2019 poverty survey funded by external agencies was buried by the ULP government, with public servants intimidated against sharing the information. His party eventually obtained and publicized this data while in opposition.
The Prime Minister committed to unprecedented transparency, vowing: “We will not silence officials or hide the truth. We will report with honesty, govern transparently, and design policy based on evidence, on facts, not on politics.” He noted that the current poverty figures predate recent devastating events including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 volcanic eruption, and Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, suggesting the situation has likely deteriorated further.
The EC$1.9 billion budget ultimately passed without opposition support, reflecting the continued political divisions regarding economic assessment and policy approaches in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.