标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

A political storm has erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines following revelations about a EC$144,000 one-year contract awarded to Grace Walters, the North Windward candidate for the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP). Daniel Cummings, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for West Kingstown, has publicly criticized the contract, labeling it a ‘disgrace’ and vowing to expose further details. The contract, part of the Strengthening Health System Resilience Project (SHSRP), runs from January 15, 2025, to January 14, 2026, and aims to support health sector reform. Cummings dismissed Walters’ claims that his objections were rooted in racism or sexism, emphasizing that his concerns are based on the contract’s legitimacy and transparency. Walters, who took unpaid leave from her hospital administrator role to accept the contract, defended the agreement as a standard practice under the ULP government. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves have also backed Walters, urging Cummings to address his own past contracts with the CWSA. Cummings, however, maintains that his contract was fundamentally different, as it involved continuing his role as CEO under a new arrangement. The controversy has reignited debates about government accountability and the allocation of public resources, with Cummings promising to reveal more details in the near future.

The message was clear: hold off on the complaints until after the election. However, patience is wearing thin among supporters, who are increasingly vocal about their grievances. From questionable property deals in Miami to the opaque awarding of contracts for major infrastructure projects like the Vincy Expo building at Diamond, the discontent is palpable. The handling of Beryl relief funds and the delayed payments to airport restaurant workers have only added fuel to the fire. Even the state of village roads, described as nearly impassable, has become a rallying cry for dissatisfaction. The leadership’s apparent nepotism, with rumors of a son being groomed to take over, has further alienated supporters. The sentiment is clear: the grumbling is widespread and growing louder, even during rallies and social gatherings. This wave of discontent raises serious questions about the future of the current leadership and the loyalty of its base.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has dismissed a book titled “New Democratic Party’s Plans for St. Vincent and the Grenadines” as a spoof. The book, which appeared in a campaign video released by his party on Sunday, was filmed at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence during a meeting with party members and Jamaican artist Christopher Martin. Gonsalves revealed that the book, which he received that same morning, contains six chapters of mostly blank pages, mocking the opposition party’s ideas. He described the document as a work of nonfiction by a fictitious author, Godwin Fryay, and criticized the New Democratic Party (NDP) for its lack of substantive content. The Prime Minister’s comments came after he was nominated for the 11th time as a candidate for North Central Windward in the upcoming national election. Gonsalves, 79, is leading the Unity Labour Party in its bid for a sixth consecutive five-year term in the general election on November 17.

In a heated political climate in St. Vincent, Grace Walters, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for North Windward and a hospital administrator, has defended her EC$144,000 one-year consultancy contract for the Arnos Vale hospital project. Walters, speaking at a ULP rally in Biabou, suggested that the scrutiny of her contract stems from her identity as a woman and a member of the Carib community.

As the November 27 general election in St. Vincent and the Grenadines approaches, St. Clair Leacock, the opposition spokesperson on National Security for the New Democratic Party (NDP), has issued a firm declaration. Leacock emphasized that the NDP will not tolerate any political unrest akin to the turmoil that prematurely ended their government in 2001. Speaking at an NDP rally in North Union on Saturday, Leacock addressed Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ call for “Labour warriors” to take to the streets on election night, dismissing such actions as unnecessary and counterproductive. Leacock assured supporters that once the NDP secures victory, the country will experience stable governance focused on the welfare of its citizens. He highlighted the party’s commitment to addressing crime and violence, warning against seditious activities. Leacock also underscored the significance of this election, describing it as pivotal for the nation’s constitutional integrity and democratic future. He pledged that the NDP would deliver equal opportunities, peace, and prosperity for all Vincentians, aiming to transform the country into a beacon of unity and progress. The Unity Labour Party, currently in power, seeks an unprecedented sixth term, while the NDP aims to reclaim governance after 25 years in opposition.

During the ongoing election campaign, the United Labour Party (ULP) and its supporters have repeatedly claimed that the New Democratic Party (NDP) lacks concrete plans and that its leadership is inactive. However, a recent video posted on the Facebook page of Ralph Gonsalves, the ULP leader, has raised eyebrows and contradicted these assertions. The video shows someone placing a booklet titled ‘The New Democratic Party’s Plan for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ on a table where Gonsalves and other ULP members were seated. The booklet, which appeared well-used and resembled a student’s textbook, was placed alongside other documents, suggesting it was being actively referenced. This discovery has sparked questions about the ULP’s motives. If the NDP truly has no plans, why would the ULP possess and study such a booklet? The presence of the document implies that the NDP’s strategies are being scrutinized, if not replicated, by the ULP. Critics have long accused the ULP of copying the NDP’s plans, and this incident seems to lend credence to those allegations. The situation also challenges the narrative of the NDP’s leadership being lazy, as the creation of a detailed plan would require significant effort and dedication. The incident has added a layer of intrigue to the election campaign, with observers questioning the ULP’s reliance on the NDP’s strategies and what this might reveal about their own preparedness.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has revealed that he personally contributed EC$15,500 to assist Vincentian students in Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The announcement was made during the Unity Labour Party’s “North Star” Rally in Chateaubelair on Saturday, where he also criticized Opposition Leader Godwin Friday for his perceived lack of generosity. Gonsalves emphasized that he typically avoids publicizing his charitable acts but felt compelled to highlight this effort for the sake of the students. He explained that Jamaica is currently in turmoil due to the hurricane’s impact, which occurred in late October. The prime minister stated that he had reached out to the Vincentian Student Association (VINSA) to identify students in urgent need of assistance. Upon receiving a request for immediate aid for 31 students, Gonsalves bypassed bureaucratic delays by instructing his banker to transfer the funds directly to VINSA’s account. He contrasted his actions with those of the opposition leader, accusing Friday of failing to fulfill a promised EC$100,000 donation for students affected by Hurricane Beryl earlier this year. Gonsalves further derided Friday as “cheap like a church mouse,” alleging that the opposition leader lacks generosity and decisiveness.

A campaign event for the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in Rillan Hill turned violent on Sunday when unidentified individuals hurled stones at vehicles, damaging the windshield of a police pick-up truck. The incident occurred as NDP supporters were en route to a party event in Penniston. According to reliable sources, two men from the village have been detained by police in connection with the attack. NDP Public Relations Officer Lavern King condemned the act in a social media video, emphasizing that the event, organized by Nigel “Nature” Stephenson, a candidate seeking a fourth term as MP for South Leeward, was intended to be peaceful. King expressed concern over the potential for serious harm, stating, “Lives could have been taken.” She also criticized the escalating political tensions, urging for a campaign free from violence. This incident follows a similar episode during the 2020 general election campaign in the same area, where gunshots were reported. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) had recently reiterated calls for calm and responsible behavior during the election season, warning that acts of violence or property damage could constitute criminal offenses. The RSVGPF emphasized its commitment to impartiality and maintaining order, urging citizens to uphold democratic values and respect opposing views.

St. Lucia is set to hold a general election on December 1, 2025, nearly a year ahead of the constitutionally mandated date in November 2026. Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre announced the decision during a national broadcast on Sunday, revealing that he had advised Governor General Errol Charles to dissolve Parliament on November 10. Nomination Day is scheduled for November 21. Pierre emphasized that the decision was driven by confidence in his administration’s achievements and the need to continue governing effectively. The last election was held on July 26, 2021, with Parliament convening in August of that year. Under the St. Lucia Constitution, the election is constitutionally due within three months of the first parliamentary sitting, which occurred on August 12, 2021. Pierre highlighted significant economic improvements under his leadership, including a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 81.5% in 2021 to 73.5% in 2024, and a 700% decrease in outstanding payables to local suppliers. He also noted the successful conclusion of negotiations with public servants and the provision of a Christmas bonus. The main opposition, the United Workers Party (UWP), led by Allen Chastanet, welcomed the announcement, expressing readiness to contest the election. Chastanet aims to reverse the UWP’s 13-4 defeat in the 2021 election, where two former UWP members won as independents and later supported the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP). Both parties held rallies on Sunday, with the SLP in Castries and the UWP in Anse La Raye, signaling the start of an intense campaign period.