Dear Editor,
Vincentians are going to the polls on December 9 — three and a half months before the constitutional deadline. Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, made the announcement on Saturday.
A wind of change was blowing in the region when a few countries changed governments including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts/Nevis, but last Wednesday Belizeans returned Dean Barrow’s UDP to an unprecedented third term forcing the opposition leader Francis Fonseca to step down as leader of the PUP after four years. Barrow, like Dr.Gonsalves, is a lawyer, and he called elections 17 months earlier. Voters in the British Virgin Islands did not change their government when they went to the polls a few months ago.
Comrade Ralph is seeking an unprecedented fourth term as head of government and according to reports it will be a keenly contested battle which will be decided by the 87,219 electorate. The airport will be one of the main issues and what might be in favour of the incumbent is the question if there is a change of government, would the multi-million dollar project become a reality in order to attract tourists.
There is no doubt that the SVG Prime Minister is a charismatic leader who is very much liked in the region because of his keen interest in regional and international issues. He was in the forefront of the cricket dispute between the players and the Cricket Board, and always makes his voice heard in issues concerning freedom of movement, not only for his country but the entire region.
The question is would the voters take his regional and international interests into consideration on polling day? Of course there are other important issues including developmental projects, jobs, adequate remuneration for workers, etc.
On the other hand, is the electorate satisfied that the opposition NDP can properly run and administer a government since the party was out of power for 15 years? There is no doubt there are several experienced and qualified persons in the opposition camp and maybe the electorate will want to give them a chance.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet
