‘Major’ bares soul, but political route still unclear

It is still unclear the route that St Clair Leacock, the parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown, will take in his political career.

“I don’t think it unfair to say that the door is open and it’s left to see if I shall spend the rest of my years in political wilderness, or to become available to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines in a principled manner,” Leacock said yesterday, as he rose to give congratulatory remarks to newly appointed Opposition Leader and president of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Dr Godwin Friday.

Speaking on the New Times radio programme last Friday, the parliamentarian, who was Friday’s only challenger for presidency of the NDP last month, said that he would give a statement in Parliament, concerning his political future.{{more}}

Yesterday, Leacock said that he “genuinely, honestly, and proudly” congratulated Friday on his elevation.

“I don’t recall indifference ever, between ourselves and even to today, I haven’t quarrelled with his elevation and I think it is a much deserved elevation,” the Central Kingstown representative said. “Those of us who must lead Mr Speaker, must learn to follow. I commit myself (to be) an able follower to St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The parliamentarian said that he appreciates that there are things far bigger than himself; which include the country, his party, and the Government of the day, the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines and his constituents.

Using an old saying, Leacock went on to give possible reasons why he was not chosen to lead the NDP.

“Blood is thicker than water, politics is thicker than blood and…money is thicker than politics. So, in my case, as I have been made to understand, my perfect imperfections ….have ruled me out to be a front line and voice of the New Democratic Party,” he said.

Furthermore, he revealed that he did not participate in the exercise to elect a new president of the NDP, which he said was “mismanaged” and did not follow the proper processes. He also stated that since Friday’s elevation, he has received calls from several persons, including former prime minister, Sir James Mitchell and current Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who offered consolation, but not from some of his colleagues in the NDP.

“I didn’t leave the New Democratic Party, the New Democratic Party seemingly has left me,” he said. “I am pained by a great suffering and humiliation while I witness and experience the onslaught that I face, some unfriendly fires… by those whom I have given my best years to Mr Speaker – in fact, some 35 years to the New Democratic Party.”

The parliamentarian also gave an overview of his contribution over the past 50 years to the country, as a cadet, in the private sector, through public service and to politics and ended his remarks by seeking permission from the Speaker to “extend his hand to his colleagues in the form of handshakes.”

Upon approval, Leacock shook the hands of all parliamentarians seated on the Opposition side of the House and hugged Friday before crossing to the other side of the House to share a handshake and hug with the Prime Minister.

Were these handshakes of peace or of farewell? Many had speculated that in yesterday’s presentation, Leacock would announce that he would, going foward, sit as an independent member of Parliament or throw his support behind the governing Unity Labour Party of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves. However, his words and actions yesterday did nothing to make any clearer how he intends to proceed.

(View Leacock’s presentation in Parliament yesterday on Searchlight’s Facebook page at (www.Facebook.com/Searchlight1)