The ULP Should Not Have Won Elections 2015 But... In a normal
world, the ULP should have lost Elections 2015. The widespread mood for
a change in government was palpable. A large section of the Vincentian
populace was simply tired and fed up of the Comrade and his party. Their
waning popularity has been attributable to a number of factors.
The productive sectors of the economy have been stagnant or declining
for most of the past decade. The road network has been marked by
widespread deterioration and disrepair. The state managed health sector
appeared headed for a crisis. Social ills such as crime, unemployment
and poverty have been spiraling out of control. The private sector,
particularly small businesses, has been struggling to stay afloat. At
the same time, allegations of official corruption, political
victimization, nepotism, cronyism, and sexual immorality in high office
have helped to define the ULP administration. Amidst it all, the
debilitating effects of rampant political tribalism have effectively
retarded the country's progress.
Despite the generally dismal
situation facing SVG on the watch of the ULP, the party has barely
managed to retain the seat of governance. On reflection, FIVE critical
factors may have been responsible for this.
FIRST, the party has
mastered the art and science of winning elections. By skillfully
integrating the party machinery with the state apparatus to full effect,
the ULP has found a winning formula.
SECOND, the Comrade and
his team have been able to steer scrutiny away from their mediocre
record of the past decade and instead get the voters focused on future
projects, programs and policies even the most grandiose and far fetched.
THIRD, the party made the elections all about RALPH, who
clearly still has tremendous political capital. The NDP's attack on this
the ULP's most valuable asset served only to further enhance his
popularity.
FOURTH, the ULP has been able to effectively exploit
the perceived weaknesses of the NDP, some of which I have raised in a
previous post.
And FIFTH, The ULP spared no expense in trying to
buy a victory. The party itself appeared to have unlimited funds to
spend. This was further complemented with the use of state resources in
the pursuit of initiatives involving significant levels of material
assistance to large sections of the population. Did the ULP CHEAT? I have NO EVIDENCE to support such. However, I do think the
weaknesses of the applicable electoral laws were exploited to the
fullest. Given the inherent advantages of the incumbency and the robust
election machinery built by the party over the years, a victory for the
ULP though not necessarily desirable, was still quite likely.
Despite the allegations of widespread irregularities, the elections are
over. The ULP has WON its fourth term. The government is legitimate. Let
us all combined our energies to take SVG forward. Irrespective of whom
we may have supported, the people have spoken and we have a country to
build. Come on, let's do this! Philbert J A John-Bute
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
DISCLAIMER THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE NOT THOSE OF THE OWNER OF THIS BLOG BUT SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR!
WRITTEN BY KENLEY JOHN
I made a conscious decision to respect the will of the Vincentian
electorate and move on from politics since the results came out on
elections night.
However today I took some time out to check up here on
FB just simply to check on the mood of the people. As someone is never
afraid to be wrong to find right than to think I'm always right, I
sensing a dangerous development about to happen in my country.
Apparently both political parties supporters are about to converge on
Kingstown tomorrow with the strong possibility of a confrontational
showdown.
Some of my party members might not share my views here
but my country will always come first. Maturity and common sense always
prevail in times of adversity. The ULP is again the ruling party in the
country, and I do not see us gaining anything from having a public
swearing in ceremony especially with all of the above adversity that can
come out of it. Tomorrow is a workday hence I see no reason why we
cannot have a private ceremony streamed live to the general public
including radio and Television. To the NDP, to maintain civil
societies we have created legal systems including the courts. I strongly
suggest that you take your issues to the courts and stop encouraging
innocent people to fight an issue that you have not proven legally.
"Let peace reign from shore to shore, and God bless and keep us true". Please let us put our country over parties. PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
On December 12, 2015 three days following the GENERAL ELECTIONS in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the UNITY LABOUR PARTY under the leadership of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves assembled at ARGYLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for their VICTORY RALLY. ULP candidates who contested the elections took to the podium to thank Vincentians who voted for them. Various entertainers who graced the ULP STAGE to provide entertainment throughout the campaign returned to give their final performance.
A surprise FIREWORK was carried out to usher in the Prime Minister to make his speech. VIDEO of the fireworks can be seen below.
The campaign is over and the silence on Facebook is deafening. A cool and calm breeze seems to be hovering over social media this morning December 9, 2015. Where have all of the POLITICAL SO CALLED FACEBOOK ACTIVIST GONE TO? Your guess is as good as mine. They are all at the POLLING STATIONS in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to EXERCISE THEIR FRANCHISE IN ELECTING THE PARTY THAT THEY THINK IS BEST TO GOVERN SVG FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS! My eyes went lurking around the dullness of FB and look what i saw in my newsfeed - A LOT OF VOTING FINGERS WITH THEIR INK!!
I
observed the reactions/participation of Vincentians during the election
season with foreboding and great apprehension. I'm left with no doubt
that as a people MOST of us are NAIVE, GULLIBLE and POLITICALLY
ILLITERATE.Evidence of these manifested itself in the way the two
leaders of the two mass political parties were/are exalted to god-like
status. It was crystallized in the LENGTH these fanatics are willing to
ridicule themselves in defense of their demi-gods.
Accusations
of sexual miss-conduct leveled at an embattled PM were intercepted,
blunted and rubbished by politically-crazed supporters as sacrilegious.
Not to be outdone, the Opposition Leader's supporters went to ALL length
to defend, protect and conceal all unearthed flaws of their flawless
leader. Where is the objectivity? Is independent thinking an endangered
practice during this "foolish season"? My GREATEST area of concern
is the consummate ease in which our RELIGIOUS LEADERS have undermined
and sacrificed FUNDAMENTAL religious values/principles in an effort to
lie in bed with these strange bedfellows. How can CHRISTIANS who
professed to be followers of Christ get hitched in these unholy romance?
No wonder GOD vents HIS wrath through Mother Nature who continues to
unleash its fury with increasing regularity in SVG. Unfortunately,
SVG continues on an unprecedented downward spiral created by a senseless
political divide. This malaise has caused families to be torn apart,
churches to be ripped right down the centre and colleagues to become
competitors. But, there is still hope as can be gathered from my
following (three) post-election recommendations. 1. I STRONGLY
recommend a Prayer session for ALL elected Members of Parliament in a
designated worship place of GOD and NOT in a man- purposed institution.
ALL CLERGY men involved in this solemn session MUST be TRUE servants of
Christ, devoid of ANY political affiliation. 2. A second session of
divine outreach/intervention conducted by at least SEVEN Clergy Leaders
with the Prime Minister-Designate. These clergymen should be free of
political baggage.This is highly recommended ESPECIALLY in the likely
event that the incumbent is re-elected to office. It's obvious that
the embattled PM is unable to confront his MANY personal demons which
continue to impede his better judgement and undermine his legacy as a
great leader. 3. Vincentians MUST take the HOLY season of Advent to
reconcile and atone. It's a herculean task given the chasm that has
been created. The seemingly "unmendable" bridges can only be fixed
through EARNEST and FERVENT prayers! Whatever, the outcomes of tomorrow's polls, please let's accept the wishes of the people since SVG belongs to ALL of us. ONE GOD! ONE AIM! ONE DESTINY!!!!
Reports reaching CUHCREATIONS is that the mother of voter who registered to vote in the constituency of NORTH CENTRAL WINDWARD (Dr. Ralph Gonsalves area) went to the POLLING STATION yesterday to check to see whether or not her name was on the VOTER'S LIST only to be told by one of the clerks there that HER NAME IS NOT ON THE LIST. Her son contacted me last night and shared this information with me. He suggested that he will CHECK ONLINE to see if her name is there. FORTUNATELY HER NAME APPEARS ON THE ONLINE LIST BUT FAILED TO BE ON THE LIST AT THE POLIING STATION.
Something is FISHY here. Please alert the SUPERVISOR'S OF ELECTIONS about this as soon as possible!!!
As the campaign draws closer to the GENERAL ELECTIONS date in Saint Vincent and the Grenadine, we see quite a few GAME CHANGERS poking their noses as KEY PLAYERS in determining the elections RESULT on Wednesday night.
1. The NDP campaign strategy keeps exposing them as a party not to be trusted in government. Will this affect their performance at the polls? Yes and no. If the educated and critically thinking supporter of NDP judge them based on the number LIES AND DECEPTIONS which allegedly ooze out from their campaign then some of those votes may go to the ULP. On the other hand there are many supporters of the NDP who hold on to their party for LIFE AND DEATH and no matter how many SKELETON CRAWLS OUT FROM THEIR PARTY'S CLOSET they will not jump ship for all that it is worth. Could this be a FORM OF MENTAL SLAVERY?
A letter circulating on Facebook seems to suggest that the NDP ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO SABOTAGE LIAT TEST FLIGHT AT ARGYLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHICH WAS SLATED FOR YESTERDAY. It amazes me how this CAT GOT LEAKED OUT OF THE BAG AND LANDED UP IN PUBLIC DOMAIN.
2.TEST FLIGHTS OF THE FOUR SMALL PLANES AND LIAT AT ARGYLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is a POLITICAL STRATEGIST. These test flights could not have been done at a better time. I know I criticized him in a video prior to my endorsement of the ULP of using this as a tactic to gain "SYMPATHY VOTES" and that "THE NATIONAL COLOURS SHOULD BE USED FOR A HISTORIC EVENT AT THIS. I must give him CREDIT for PLAYING THE BETTER CARDS IN THE GAME CALLED POLITICS. I maintained that the NDP would have done the same if this shoe was on their foot. Persons who had DOUBT as to whether or not the AIA will be completed soon HAD NO MORE NEED TO WORRY. This is a major player in this elections as the ULP can be seen as a government that DELIVERS ON THE PROMISES MADE TO VINCENTIANS. Vincentians at home and in the diaspora definitely BUY INTO THE NOTION THAT IT IS BETTER TO LEAVE THE ULP IN OFFICE TO FINISH THIS AIRPORT. The ENORMOUS POSSIBILITIES FOR JOB CREATION can ALREADY be SEEN. 3. PARTY ENDORSEMENT We all know the POWER of ENDORSING a political party especially by persons WHOSE STATUS IS CREDIBLE. The number of who VINCENTIAN ARTISTS AND CARIBBEAN LEADERS who have endorsed the ULP is astonishing. This definitely goes a long way in influencing the voters especially YOUNG PEOPLE. People will buy a product when FAMOUS CELEBRITIES names are on them. Likewise when you have MOST OF THE FAMOUS ARTISTS APPEARING AT ALL OF THE RALLIES AND DRESSED IN THE COLOURS OF THAT PARTY that political party will gain some voters by ASSOCIATION. I myself is part of this endorsement.
3. LEADERSHIP WITH A DIFFERENCE The team that has the best line up of candidates wins the elections in most cases. The voters need to feel well represented and so they tend to cast their votes for proper presentation. The ULP no doubt seems to have the better line up. It is believe that this is the main reason why A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SWINGING IN THEIR DIRECTION.
3. WHO HAS THE MORE RALISTIC MANIFESTO. The ULP seems to have the BIGGER & BETTER MANIFESTO based on what I have read. NDP seems to have HOLES in theirs.
I know some Vincentians are CRITICAL THINKERS and have not allowed this elections to blind their eyes from seeing the MESSY BOOTS that the NDP seems to be parading in during this elections. Recently I have had personal conversation with some NDP SUPPORTERS and some of them demonstrated UTTER DISGUST about the manner in which their party is going about their campaign. It seems clear to them that they RUN A CAMPAIGN BASED ON LIES AND DECEPTION in an attempt to bring the ULP down and under! As each lies unfold they seem to be LOSING RATINGS among their very own supporters.
Yesterday Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has ADDRESSED THE ALLEGED FRAUDULENT DOCUMENT which seems to be circulating on Facebook in which seems to accuse him of possessing a BANK ACCOUNT in Switzerland with a total of about 19 MILLION DOLLARS!
Will this AFFECT THEIR NUMBERS AT THE POLLS???
I was surprised to see this COMMENT by a DIE-HEART-NDP SUPPORTER lodged under one of my friend's post on Facebook. I APPLAUD AND COMMEND THIS YOUNG MAN FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING and for kicking his CRITICAL THINKING INTO FULL GEAR!
WRITTENBY CLAIRON HAYNES Thursday December 32015, six days before Vincentians go to the polls to elect the political party that will govern Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for the next term (2016-2020), the TWO (2) leaders of the major parties were invited by the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Community College to address the students relative to their vision for the country and answer important and burning questions which the students might have had. The session was organized in a way that allowed each leader to address the college at a different time frame from the other. Leader of the Opposition Hon. Arhnim Eustace broke the ice with what many observers believe to be a DISMAL PERFORMANCE. Video clips of various excerpts of Mr Eustace's address went flying immediately around cyber space seemingly showcasing him as one who is DISCONNECTED with these young people. It is apparent from his body language that he went their with an attitude that seemed to have rubbed the students in the wrong way. Mr Eustace seemed surprised that these INTELLIGENT and COURAGEOUS students did their study of NDP manifesto (a document which contains their plans and policies for SVG over the next 5-10 years) and his party's political campaign strategy as reflected in their questions asked. His responses seemed very HOSTILE and pregnant with some degree of ARROGANCE which led to him being PUBLICLY BOOED by some of the students. This poor performance from Mr. Eustace and the unfavourable reaction from the students were painful to watch. As a Vincentian looking in from within the diaspora I felt embarrass by the fact that the leader of the opposition continued to display a lack of TACT and DIPLOMACY when dealing with people in general at these public forums. In the afternoon the leader of the ruling party UNITY LABOUR PARTY (that was recently dissolved in parliament to give way to the Dec. 9 GENERAL ELECTIONS) Hon. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves arrived at the college for his turn to address the students. His arrival was like a celebrity. The students were elated and filled with excitement. As a teacher of this same age group of children this was certainly a joy to watch. By this time the COLD CHILLY BREEZE that Mr. Eustace left hovering over the campus had dissipated by the charm and charisma that Dr. Gonsalves brought with him. Dr. Gonsalves displayed that he fully understands young people and can relate to them. This is indicative of the POSITIVE REACTION which he received from the students. At the end of the question-answer session students received SIGNED COPIES of several of the BOOKS which Dr. Gonsalves published for FREE. As a published author myself this resonated with me very much. SVG TV Evening News was on campus and caught up with some of the students hoping to get their FEEDBACK about both leaders and their prospect for WINNING THE ELECTIONS. Their responses seemed to be in FAVOUR OF THE DR. RALPH E. GONSALVES AND THE ULP.
The following day it is ALLEGED that Mr. Arhnim Eustace went on the radio and claimed that THE STUDENTS WHO ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS WERE COACHED AND COERCED BY THEIR PROFESSORS AHEAD OF TIME. If this allegation bears truth I must say I am highly disappointed that Mr. Eustace failed the nation again at TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for his actions and has played the BLAME GAME as he digs his POLITICAL GRAVE DEEPER & WIDER. Instead of crediting these students for their courage and BRILLIANCE he rewarded their effort with his guilt trip to the land where he INSULTED AND DOWNPLAYED their INTELLECT. I cannot see why these same young people will vote for his party the CRITICALLY MINDED that I think they are.
This Sunday December 6th 2015 the regional air carrier LIAT will make its grand entrance at the ARGYLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 4:30 PM at a MASSIVE RALLY that will be held by the UNITY LABOUR PARTY (ULP) at 3:00 PM. This is an effort to celebrated the airport. The entire country is invited. FREE TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED.
Area representative FREDERICK AGUSTAUS STEPHENSON and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will be the main persons of the hour. Renown ARTISTS from at home and from the region will provide entertainment at this MOTHER-OF-ALL-POLITICAL-RALLIES.
Some of these include JAMAICAN DANCE-HALL ARTIST BEENIE MAN, LUTA, SCRUNTER FROM DOMINICA AND OTHERS.
Come out one and all and WEAR YOUR RED THE SYMBOL OF THE ULP. #FourInARow LABOUR LOVE!
Your guess is as good as mine. They are all at the 
