标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The candidacy of two representatives from the New Democratic Party (NDP) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has been challenged by the Unity Labour Party (ULP). The ULP alleges that the candidates, Dr. Godwin Friday and Mr. Fitzgerald Bramble, hold Canadian citizenship, which they argue disqualifies them from contesting the upcoming general elections on November 27. The challenge centers on Section 26 of the SVG Constitution, which prohibits individuals under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign state from holding parliamentary office. Despite the challenge, both candidates were successfully nominated. The ULP may pursue legal action, which, if successful, could disqualify the candidates and force them to vacate their seats if elected. The case hinges on whether Canada, as a Commonwealth member, is considered a foreign state under SVG law. Legal precedents in the Caribbean suggest that dual citizenship can disqualify candidates, as it may create divided loyalties. The outcome of this challenge could significantly impact the election results, particularly in the Northern Grenadines and East Kingstown constituencies. The NDP risks losing votes in these areas if the candidates are disqualified, potentially altering the political landscape of SVG.

Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves has unveiled the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 2025 election manifesto, emphasizing its focus on substantive policies over superficial gimmicks. Speaking at a rally in Colonarie, Gonsalves outlined the ULP’s plans to reduce income tax to 22% and raise the tax-free threshold to EC$30,000, measures he described as impactful for working-class citizens in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He contrasted these policies with the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) proposal to cut VAT from 16% to 13%, arguing that the ULP’s approach would yield greater financial benefits for individuals, such as an extra EC$1,500 annually for constables and over EC$2,000 for teachers and nurses. Gonsalves also highlighted the ULP’s commitment to job creation, citing the addition of 6,500 jobs over the past five years despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the La Soufriere volcanic eruption, and Hurricane Beryl. He pledged to create 6,000 more jobs if re-elected, aiming to reduce unemployment below 5% for the first time in the nation’s history. Additionally, the ULP plans to open a Beaches resort, attract EC$2.5 billion in foreign investment, and boost GDP from EC$3 billion to EC$4 billion within five years. Gonsalves concluded by asserting the ULP’s vision to transform St. Vincent and the Grenadines into a first-world nation within 15 years, grounded in principled policies and a commitment to the people.

Grace Walters, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for North Windward, has outlined an ambitious healthcare agenda aimed at modernizing and expanding services across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto for the upcoming November 27 general election, Walters emphasized the ULP’s commitment to ensuring healthcare remains a fundamental right for all citizens. She highlighted plans to construct modern clinics in key areas such as Belair, Byera, and Central Kingstown, alongside the establishment of wellness centers and a geriatric facility. Walters also pledged to enhance mental health services, increase dental clinics, and assign ambulances to every polyclinic. Addressing the issue of medical tourism, she announced plans to formalize agreements with countries like Cuba and Venezuela to provide specialized care for Vincentians. Walters criticized the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) for advocating privatization, which she argued would limit access to healthcare. She also vowed to regulate consultant doctors to prevent exploitation of patients in public hospitals. Additionally, the ULP plans to digitize health records, implement the Pharmacy Act, and improve licensing for private healthcare facilities. Walters underscored the party’s focus on youth, promising to establish health units to address issues like drug abuse and mental health. She also highlighted ongoing projects, including the construction of a modern hospital in Arnos Vale, which she said would create job opportunities and advance healthcare careers. Walters concluded by reaffirming the ULP’s dedication to transforming the healthcare sector, ensuring it remains accessible and equitable for all Vincentians.

As the November 27 elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines approach, the working class finds itself deeply divided in its support for political parties. This division has pitted co-workers against co-workers and family members against one another, with many hoping that their chosen party will deliver tangible benefits. However, both the Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) are fundamentally capitalist entities, prioritizing the interests of local and foreign capitalists over the working class. Historically, the ULP initially positioned itself as pro-working class, influenced by the left-leaning Movement for National Unity during its 1994 merger. However, once in power, the ULP shifted to the right, aligning itself with multinational corporations, particularly in the hospitality sector. The NDP, founded in 1975, emerged during a period of political turmoil but has consistently maintained its capitalist and liberal leanings. Despite their differences, both parties have failed to address systemic issues such as poverty, unemployment, wage disparities, and inadequate public services. The working class remains disillusioned, with many viewing the elections as a choice between two flawed options. Campaigns, funded by the wealthy, further marginalize ordinary citizens, leaving them with little influence over the political process. In this context, the need for systemic change has become increasingly apparent. Organizations like SOLIDARITY RIGHTS advocate for fundamental rights, including access to quality healthcare, education, decent work, and housing, as essential pillars for a just society. As the election looms, the focus shifts to the broader question of national direction post-November 27, emphasizing the need for a system that empowers ordinary people to shape their own destinies.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is set to travel to St. Lucia to campaign for the re-election of the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP), despite opposing some of its policies in his own country. The SLP, led by Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre, is aiming to secure a second consecutive term in the upcoming December 1 elections, a feat not achieved in St. Lucia since 2006. The SLP and Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP) share a political alliance, though they diverge on key issues such as VAT-free shopping days and citizenship by investment (CBI) programs. Gonsalves has criticized these policies as gimmicks, particularly when proposed by SVG’s opposition, the New Democratic Party (NDP). In St. Lucia, the SLP has proposed a VAT-free shopping day in December, following a bonus salary payment to public sector workers. Meanwhile, in SVG, the NDP has promised similar measures, including VAT reductions and increased public assistance, if elected. Gonsalves dismissed these proposals, labeling them as impractical. The political dynamics between the two nations highlight regional policy debates and the interconnectedness of Caribbean politics. Gonsalves’ decision to campaign in St. Lucia underscores his commitment to regional solidarity, despite local criticisms and policy disagreements.

In a bold assertion, Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), expressed unwavering confidence in his party’s electoral prospects, stating that losing any seat between West St. George and North Windward is ‘completely out of any comprehension.’ However, a closer examination of the electoral trends in key constituencies reveals a more nuanced picture, challenging the ULP’s perceived invincibility.

A heated debate has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago regarding a rent-to-own housing unit acquired by Soleil Gonsalves, the daughter of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves. The new UNC government alleges that she received preferential treatment under the former PNM administration, while the Gonsalves family maintains that the property was secured through the open market. However, a closer examination of the rent-to-own system reveals why such claims are untenable. Rent-to-own is not a standard commercial real estate transaction. It is a government-supported initiative designed to assist low- to middle-income individuals who are unable to qualify for traditional mortgages due to insufficient income, lack of down payments, or unstable employment. These schemes are inherently selective, offering reduced monthly payments and state subsidies to help beneficiaries gradually build equity. In this case, the unit in question reportedly costs TT$2,750 per month, a stark contrast to its market rental value of TT$10,000. This 70% reduction underscores the program’s nature as a subsidy, not a market-rate purchase. The assertion that the unit was available on an open market is further undermined by the fact that over 214,000 Trinidadians are on the HDC waiting list for affordable housing, some for decades. If the unit were genuinely accessible to anyone, it is implausible that it would bypass thousands of long-suffering citizens. This raises critical questions about transparency and fairness in the allocation process. The controversy highlights the need for public clarity on the purpose of rent-to-own schemes: to provide a lifeline for those excluded from traditional homeownership pathways. The truth of this case suggests that the unit was not obtained through an open, first-come-first-served process, but rather through a system that appears to favor select individuals.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has formally requested the United States to grant visa-free entry to Vincentian passport holders. In a three-page letter addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 22, Gonsalves highlighted the unique circumstances of his nation in the evolving global migration and geopolitical landscape. He emphasized that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the only English-speaking Caribbean country without diplomatic ties to China or a citizenship-by-investment program, maintaining relations with Taiwan instead. Gonsalves argued that Vincentians already enjoy visa-free access to numerous countries, including the UK, EU Schengen states, and the UAE, and have consistently upheld the integrity of their travel privileges. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that granting this request would benefit both nations amid shifting global dynamics. While the US State Department has referred the matter to the Department of Homeland Security, a scheduled meeting in September was postponed due to an emergency. Gonsalves assured that discussions are ongoing, though a resolution is unlikely before the upcoming general election on November 27. He also criticized the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) for policies that could complicate travel to the US, Canada, and Europe. This initiative underscores Gonsalves’ efforts to strengthen international ties and improve opportunities for Vincentians abroad.