New party promises to bring change

The National Liberation Movement (NLM), a recently launched political party, said more focus needs to be placed on agriculture, tourism in rural areas, and the development of human resources.

The NLM was officially launched at Top Questelles on December 16, 2024, where four members were present- Leader, Dr Doris Charles-Frederick; Gregory “Shaka” Edwards; Elton James; and Newton George.

Dr. Charles-Frederick, a mother of two, and a former diplomat, said she came out of retirement to inspire people, and noted that while the Dr. Ralph Gonsalves led Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration “did some good” it is time “to leave leadership” to new, more trained persons.

“We are not voting cattle; we are humans just like them,” Dr. Charles-Frederick said, while noting that St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is in turmoil. She pointed to various reports from international organisations which show that SVG is experiencing poverty and unemployment patterns on a level “that is unbelievable” and never before seen here.

She said one in every four people has become poorer under the ULP, and there is 40 percent unemployment in the country as violence and crime escalates.

Charles-Frederick however, noted that “no one leader is responsible”. She said were the NLM to get into power it would, among other things, create an enabling environment for decentralizing government, while embarking on strategic planning, and the implementation and monitoring of mechanisms aimed at the reviewing of institutional arrangements, for starters.

Charles-Frederick said as well that at this point, SVG needs mechanisms that will help rescue the country from escalating foreign debt, and that the Public Accounts Committee needs to carry out its roles by functioning.

“A committee has not met for 10 years plus…why we continue to pay people like the Opposition leader, the NLM leader questioned, while noting that high water, electricity and Value Added Tax (VAT) charges, coupled with an export ratio gap of 14 to one are crippling Vincentians financially.

“…we want to know why,” Dr. Charles-Frederick said. She also promised that a NLM government would reinstate, with compensation, persons who were forced to resign under the COVID-19 mandate.

The NLM’s tagline is, “Together we will”, while their symbol is a bicycle. The party leader said among other things, the bicycle represents sustainability, environmental responsibility, movement, progress, balance and stability.

The new party is hoping to field more than five candidates in the next general elections, constitutionally due by November 2025, with a three-month grace period.

Dr. Charles-Frederick is hoping to contest in South Leeward, while James hopes to run in North Leeward.

The party’s leadership said several persons have shown interest in contesting on an NLM ticket, and the party is going through a vetting process.