Opposition Leader says he was right about the date

Arnhim Eustace, Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), said that despite comments made by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves that he (Eustace) got the election date wrong, he is convinced that he was right.{{more}}

“On Saturday night, I said that the Parliament will be dissolved today and that elections will be called on the 15th of December,” said Eustace on Monday, November 15, on the ‘New Times’ radio programme.

“When I said that, I had the information that allowed me to say that and I believe that what I said then was correct. In fact, I know what was said was correct,” he contended.

Eustace said Opposition members knew that they got the date right.

“This thing about we got caught with our pants down, if we predicted accurately the date that Parliament would be dissolved, how could we have been caught with pants down?” Eustace asked.

He further stated that Gonsalves changed the date subsequent to the meeting held on Saturday, November 13, at Sion Hill.

“The 15th was the date. He can say whatever he wants, but I know it was so,” the opposition leader said.

The changing of the date had little significance however, said Eustace, contending that all it meant is that the NDP will get rid of the Gonsalves led administration two days earlier.

“We are going to keep focused, we are going to keep our attention on the ball, we will win the election,” Eustace said.

He expressed confidence that the result that was seen in the referendum is indicative of a change in the hearts of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in relation to the NDP.

He added that he was never confident before as he is now that the NDP will form the next government.

Eustace said that he was currently engaged in making the necessary arrangements for the campaign ahead.

“There will be a few hiccups here and there, but we will deal with them when they arise.”

“The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines can breathe a sigh of relief, they know that the elections will be held before Christmas and the country already feels a bit lighter,” Eustace said.

He urged the members of the general public to remain “calm and collected.”

Eustace also called for persons to be vigilant, particularly during the final 15-day period allowed for the registration of new voters.

“That’s when all the hanky-panky takes place: it is close to election and there usually isn’t sufficient time to check up on all the people,” Eustace said. (DD)