Fitz Bramble is NDP’s pick for East Kingstown

FITZ BRAMBLE HAS been nominated as the New Democratic Party(NDP) candidate for East Kingstown, and is therefore selected to step into the shoes of former candidate Arnhim Eustace.

The President of the NDP, Dr Godwin Friday, made this “happy” announcement concerning Bramble, an economist and former diplomat, at the end of a press conference held on Tuesday, February 18, at Democrat House.

“As you know, Mr Arnhim Eustace has decided not to be a candidate for East Kingstown anymore,” Friday began.

“He (Eustace) served that constituency for many years with distinction and will in due course, be properly honoured and recognised for his service,” Friday noted.

Eustace was successful as the elected Member of Parliament for East Kingstown in four consecutive elections since1998. However, on September 30, 2019, he announced that he would not be contesting in the elections in 2020.

Eustace also served as the Leader of the Opposition between 2001 and 2016, and served briefly as Prime Minister following Sir James’ Mitchell’s retirement in October 2000.

Speaking on radio in January, Eustace had expressed confidence that Bramble would make a successful candidate for the New Democratic Party, based on what he is hearing from the public, and “I’m looking forward for us to make an announcement to our Central Committee, very soon, that is the present situation.”

On Tuesday, D Friday said that he is pleased to announce that “Mr. Fitz Bramble has been nominated to be the Candidate for East Kingstown in the upcoming general elections.

“In accordance with the Party’s Constitution, his candidacy will be presented to the Central Committee of the New Democratic Party for ratification at the next meeting of that Committee,” Friday informed.

He stated that he was confident that the committee will ratify the selection, “and Mr. Bramble will be the new candidate for East Kingstown in the next general elections.”

When asked when this meeting will be held, he could not say precisely, but indicated that it would be “very soon because… we have a constitution in our party and we try to, as near as possible, fulfill its spirit and the letter of it as much as we can but that would be soon, in a matter of weeks.”

He also noted that more than one candidate would likely be ratified at the meeting, Bramble, as well as Chieftain Neptune for North Central Windward, who will be running against Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves this year.

Neptune’s nomination was done on December 7, 2019.

“A young man that has a lot of potential and appeal in that area and so we hope to have his ratification the same time as Bramble’s,” Dr. Friday stated.

The Leader of the Opposition commented, “The NDP continues to attract talented and committed people as candidates and to fill other roles on behalf of the party.”