Election bell not yet ready to ring

Supporters of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) left the Walvaroo, Sion Hill, area last Sunday night still uncertain as to when the election bell will ring.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told a group of animated supporters at the front of the platform that they ‘still have a way to go’ before the date of elections is announced.

The gathering, one of the largest ULP crowds since campaigning for general elections, constitutionally due by March 2011 began, was in support of East Kingstown candidate Luke Browne, who will go head to head against NDP Leader Arnhim Eustace.

The Prime Minister also indicated that Vincentians, who will be coming out to commemorate the 31st anniversary of Independence at the annual military parade at Victoria Park, should not expect to hear the election date announced there, nor at the all day event to be held in his North Central Windward constituency later that day.

“Let’s just all come out and have a good time,” Gonsalves encouraged.

Persons listening to the Prime Minster noted that he referred to the next elections, following this scheduled one, as taking place in 2015, and speculated that elections may be held between late November and early December, since elections are usually due every five years.

Gonsalves, who spoke on a number of issues as he endorsed Browne as his party’s candidate, commented on the process of selecting successors and leaders in political parties.

“Inside of the Unity Labour Party, nobody is getting anything hand me down. We bring you in, we groom you and we leave it to the people to do the selection.”

The Prime Minister also commented on what he considered disrespect shown towards the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in the candidates being offered by the NDP in the upcoming elections.

“Look at the quality leaders that we have in the Leeward constituencies….

In East Kingstown we have given them Luke Browne; they have given me who?”

“They insult the people of North Central Windward and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to present a woman like Margaret London to run against the Comrade.”(JJ)