SVG COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT WILL NOT VOTE NDP

WRITTEN BY CLAIRON HAYNES

Thursday December 3 2015, 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.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT