标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Mike Browne, former Member of Parliament for West St. George under the Unity Labour Party (ULP), has announced his decision not to participate in the upcoming general election on November 27. Speaking at the Teachers’ Solidarity Week Rally in Kingstown on Friday, Browne expressed concerns about the divisive nature of the two major political parties and the financial pressures faced by working-class citizens. He plans to elaborate on his stance in a forthcoming newspaper editorial. Browne, who served as Minister of Education from 2001 to 2010, emphasized that regardless of the election outcome, Vincentians will face significant challenges. He also raised critical questions about the sources of campaign financing, suggesting that the exorbitant costs of running elections could involve dubious funding, including potential drug money. Browne highlighted the financial strain on ordinary workers, who struggle to afford basic necessities, let alone contribute to election campaigns. He announced his involvement in a new organization, Solidarity Rights, aimed at advocating for the rights of all citizens post-election. Browne concluded by stating that he remains indifferent to the election results, focusing instead on the broader societal pressures that will persist irrespective of the winning party.

In a rare display of camaraderie amidst the political fervor, supporters of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) came together in Rose Bank on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The campaign trail, typically marked by intense rivalry, witnessed an unexpected atmosphere of goodwill as members from both sides exchanged light-hearted conversations and shared moments of mutual respect. This interaction highlighted a temporary departure from the usual political tensions, offering a glimpse of unity in the midst of electoral competition. The event underscored the potential for civility and dialogue in the democratic process, even as both parties continue to vie for public support ahead of the upcoming elections.

The upcoming general election in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, scheduled for November 27, has seen 32 candidates nominated to contest the 15 parliamentary seats, including two independent candidates. Among them are Kenna Questelles, contesting the West St. George constituency, and Doris Charles of the National Liberation Movement (NLM), vying for South Leeward. Questelles, represented by the torch symbol, and Charles, symbolized by the bicycle, bring the total number of female candidates to nine, accounting for nearly one-third of all nominees.

Doris Charles, a former diplomat under the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and wife of ex-Central Leeward MP Maxwell Charles, emphasized the significance of her nomination for the NLM, a party established in 2022. She highlighted the party’s commitment to values such as accountability, pragmatism, and transparency, while the bicycle symbol represents forward movement and progressive thinking. Meanwhile, Kenna Questelles, a former executive member of the Women’s Arm of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has pledged to focus on youth empowerment if elected. Her proposals include establishing a digital youth service agency, providing training and employment opportunities, and launching an annual innovation award to support youth-led start-ups.

The election is expected to be a fierce contest between the ULP, aiming for a historic sixth consecutive term, and the NDP, seeking to regain power after being ousted in 2001. However, the nomination process has not been without controversy. The ULP challenged the candidacy of Opposition Leader Godwin Friday and Fitz Bramble, citing their Canadian citizenship as a violation of the Constitution. Despite the challenges, their nominations were upheld by returning officers, though Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has vowed legal action.

As the election approaches, the focus remains on the candidates’ platforms and the potential impact of independent voices in shaping the nation’s political landscape.

Daniel Cummings, Chairman of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has intensified scrutiny over the EC$144,000 one-year contract awarded to Grace Walters, a Hospital Administrator and Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for North Windward. Cummings raised critical questions about the contract’s timeline and Walters’ dual roles, demanding clarity on whether she continued to receive her EC$8,000 monthly salary as a hospital administrator while simultaneously benefiting from the EC$12,000 monthly consultancy contract. Speaking at an NDP campaign event in Owia, Cummings challenged Walters to disclose if she was paid EC$20,000 monthly from the Treasury until August. He further questioned the transparency of the contract’s awarding process, asking whether it was publicly tendered or authorized by the Public Service Commission. Walters, a first-time candidate aiming to retain North Windward for the ULP, defended the contract, stating it is common for public sector workers to receive such agreements. She revealed she had taken no-pay leave to contest the election, emphasizing her qualifications for the consultancy role. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, ULP leader, countered by referencing Cummings’ own past contract with the Central Water and Sewerage Authority. Cummings, however, stood by his criticisms, accusing the ULP of long-standing corruption and defending his integrity. The controversy has sparked debates about accountability and transparency in government contracts, with both parties trading accusations ahead of the upcoming elections.

A heated debate has emerged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the eligibility of two NDP candidates, who hold dual Canadian and Vincentian citizenship, to stand for parliamentary elections. The controversy stems from differing interpretations of constitutional provisions, particularly sections 25 and 26 of the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which outline qualifications and disqualifications for representatives and senators.

The Court of Appeal in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has granted conditional permission for the contentious ‘Vaccine Mandate Case’ to be referred to the Privy Council in London, the nation’s highest judicial authority, for a definitive resolution. This legal battle stems from the November 2021 decision by the Ralph Gonsalves-led Unity Labour Party (ULP) government, which declared that public sector workers refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate had effectively abandoned their jobs. The Public Service Union, SVG Teachers’ Union, and Police Welfare Association spearheaded the lawsuit, which initially saw High Court Judge Justice Esco Henry rule in favor of the workers in March 2023. However, a subsequent 2-1 decision by the Court of Appeal in February 2025 overturned this ruling, prompting the workers to seek the Privy Council’s intervention. During a virtual hearing in Kingstown, the government’s legal team, led by senior counsel Anthony Astaphan, opted not to present oral arguments, leaving the decision entirely to the court. Cara Shillingford, lead counsel for the workers, emphasized the case’s constitutional significance, particularly regarding property and pension rights under Section 99 of SVG’s Constitution. She also highlighted the High Court’s finding that the vaccine mandate violated Section 77, which governs the Public Service Commission’s independence. The court acknowledged the substantial public interest in resolving this critical constitutional issue. The panel, comprising Justices Trevor Ward, Peter Foster, and Reginald Armour, noted the undisputed value of the workers’ pensions, which far exceeded $1,500, as evidenced by affidavit submissions.