Leacock says No Grace Walters for North Windward, Daniel may be back

In May, 2023, Dr Grace Walters was mentioned as the likely candidate for the Unity Labour Party (ULP) in the constituency of North Windward in the next general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

However, Major St. Clair Leacock said Walters may have opted out as the replacement for the current parliamentary representative, Montgomery Daniel.

Speaking on the New Democratic Party’s New Times radio programme on Nice Radio, on Monday, Leacock said he was told that “the person that the ULP had in mind to run” against Senator Shevern John in North Windward “has opted out”.

“The lady who they had in mind, the professional who they had to replace the incumbent, seems to be not coming forward again, and she [John] may have to run again against the same guy she ran against the last time,” Leacock said.

John, a teacher, ran and lost against Daniel in 2020. Daniel has stated publicly that he would not be contesting again. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works, Lands, Surveys and Physical Planning, has been representing the constituency of North Windward since the 2001 general elections when the ULP formed the government.

Leacock said if Daniel contests again, the ULP would have to spend “a hell of a lot of money”.

“Now, what I indicated, if they bring a dollar, we have to bring two, if they bring two dollars we must have four, if they with a five dollar bill, we have to have a 10 dollar bill…they have

a 50, we have a specs man, so we must show that we can match them,” Leacock said.

He declared that John will change the face of North Windward when she gets into government, as the constituency has the potential to become the bread basket of the country given its possibilities for the development of tourism, farming, fisheries, sports, and culture.

Leacock noted that the most important audit that this country must have at all times, is general elections where there is change, and a different set of people are brought in to look at

the books and the performance of a government.

He pointed out that this is important, alleging that there has been misbehaviour in government by the ULP.

The parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown, who is also a vice president of the NDP said he does not make statements like these “lightly”.

“There has been, on more than one occasion, the violation of the constitutional provision and provision of the Finance Act…,” Leacock declared.

“I don’t speak lightly, and they are always quick to the course…well give me the date Ralph when you want me come and show up with my evidence of my cause…,” Leacock challenged.