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A Letter from the Ground By Lucienne Grant Have Mr Eustace and Dr Gonsalves lost their credibility with the Vincentian electorate? Elections were held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines just over five years ago. Once again significant sections of the electorate clamour for change. The cry is for much more than a change of government. Many people would like to see a complete transformation in the political culture of this country. Connected to this is a quest for change in the styles and approaches to political leadership. One gets the distinct impression that politicians would have to undergo some profound changes if they wish to be taken seriously by the electorate. To be more specific, the two individuals offered by the active political parties today, appear to have fallen short of what is expected in the new political culture. I refer to Hon Arnhim Eustace, Leader of the Opposition and Hon Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister. Presently, Vincentians look to both of these gentlemen to transform the country with their peculiar brand of leadership style. Some years ago, Mr Eustace was given the opportunity. However, that was short-lived and he had no time to make a lasting impact. Today, Dr Gonsalves perilously holds the reins of governance in slippery hands. Soon, the country will go to the polls to effectively choose which of these gentlemen should govern St. Vincent for another five years or so. Both Mr Eustace and Dr Gonsalves continue to compete in and out of Parliament for the privilege and honour to lead the country. In this regard, they engage in activities that reflect certain aspects of their respective personalities. As the potential voters look on, they witness the good, the bad and the ugly of what both men are prepared to offer the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Within recent weeks, the conduct of Mr Eustace and that of Dr Gonsalves have caused grave concerns among members of the voting public. Scores of Vincentians have grown disenchanted with Mr Eustace’s aggressive and questionable political tactics. At the same time many persons have hung their heads in awful shame at the despicable lengths to which Dr Gonsalves is prepared to go in order to secure another term in power. It seems to me that both men are in danger of losing their credibility with the Vincentian electorate. The Aggressive Arnhim Eustace In many respects, Mr Arnhim Eustace is still a political neophyte. When he entered competitive politics for the first time in 1998, Mr Eustace had to do very little to win a seat in Parliament. His political godfather, Sir James Mitchell had effectively cleared the way for him. Even in 2001, Mr Eustace got considerable assistance from his association with Sir James who handed him the NDP on a platter. The party’s machinery was already well oiled and Eustace only had to sit in the driver’s seat. He did so and took the party to its worst electoral defeat to date. In an effort to establish himself as his "own man", Mr Eustace sought to rebuild the NDP. At the same time, he began his quest for a kinder gentler society. For about two and a half years Mr Eustace was able to talk the talk and walk the walk. He even did so against the wishes of the great stalwarts of the NDP. However, as the ULP under Dr Gonsalves began to slip in the polls, Mr Eustace has adopted a decidedly more aggressive approach to combating the might of Dr Gonsalves and his once formidable ULP. Mr Eustace has been able to attract massive crowd support at events organized by the NDP. This is a sure sign of the growing unpopularity of the ULP who could not gather a handful at their most recent anniversary rally. These developments and more must have gone to the head of Mr Eustace. He no longer spouts the empty rhetoric of a kinder and gentler society. Instead, Mr Eustace has allowed some of the most incendiary utterances to come from the NDP through its mouthpiece. Mr Eustace himself has also gone on record with some outrageous claims. Among some of the unfortunate remarks coming from Eustace and the NDP include: Dr Gonsalves and the ULP could well be interfering with the electoral process. Thus, Vincentians must prepare for the likelihood of rigged elections under the ULP administration. Mr Rodney Adams, the Supervisor of Elections, has vehemently refuted this claim. Mr Eustace also issued a stern warning to the ULP that if the elections were deemed to be rigged, they would see another side of Mr Eustace. This position was further elaborated by EG Lynch who stopped inches short of calling for violence if the NDP senses a rigged elections. Eustace allowed the NDP to lose the moral battle when he allowed EG Lynch to lambaste the late Patricia Ann Douglas simply because she was a friend of the Prime Minister. Senator St. Clair Leacock was allowed to go on a platform and promise free food and free clothes to all Vincentians if the NDP wins the next general elections. Such a statement, if in fact it was made, shows utter desperation on the part of Mr Eustace and the leadership of the NDP. Just last week, Mr Eustace was made to look incompetent and/or dishonest when he went on national radio and claimed that the government was about to borrow $40 million to make up for a shortfall in the 2005 budget and estimates. As it turned out, Cabinet was simply seeking Parliament’s approval to raise the ceiling of government’s overdraft facility from $30 million to $40 million. Why on earth did Mr Eustace goof so badly? Only the good Lord knows! These are only few of the issues that could well cause the electorate to question the integrity of Mr Arnhim Eustace. Apart from these, many persons are concerned with the gentleman’s embrace of the old hacks in the NDP and their cronies in the business world. Even as Eustace pontificate on kindness, gentleness, truth and honesty, he takes counsel from the dubious characters of the old NDP. One senses that many of Eustace’s political confidants cannot wait long enough for the opportunity to exact revenge from anyone associated with the ULP when "de day come". I am also bemused by the manner in which Eustace and the NDP have engaged in the process of candidate selection. That I would leave for another letter if given the opportunity. Suffice it to say, however, significant sections of the electorate are not impressed with an arrogant technocrat whose only claim to fame is that he once stoned a church. Neither are they warmed to a political recruit who wants to "take out" the general. Then there is the ex-policeman with the internal plumbing problem. Do not even mention the accountant with the bloated ego and unbridled ambition. His real aim is to replace Mr Eustace before the elections are called. Quite apart from launching these questionable candidates, Mr Eustace seems unable to give the electorate a full slate two to four months before the elections are called. Despite, the aggression and arrogance that currently characterize the electioneering of the NDP under the new Eustace; they could well be alienating the new and sophisticated electorate. There is need for the new kind of politics that Eustace promised. If this is not forthcoming, I recommend that Arnhim spend another five years in opposition in order hone his political skills. Dr Gonsalves: The Political Animal As Mr Arnhim Eustace attempts to adjust to the new political realities, Dr Ralph Gonsalves continues to be himself- the rabid political animal that we have come to adore and admire. He is on a mission to retain power after the next elections. All the signs are pointing to a defeat. The NDP’s cry of "one term for Papa" is resonating even with the most ardent supporter of the ULP. As this realization sinks in, Dr Gonsalves spends every moment of his existence, both at sleep and awake, devising schemes, plans, proposals, initiatives, and other brainwaves to keep the voters happy in return for victory at the polls. Despite all his efforts, Dr Gonsalves faces a big obstacle: Today’s new, sophisticated voter sees right through the gentlemen’s entire scheme, and they are not impressed. Gonsalves’ ploy works only for the unrepentant ULP partisan as well as ignorant people in the society. Both groups are rapidly decreasing in numbers, thanks to the education revolution! Over the past few weeks, the depths and lengths that Dr Gonsalves went in order to score political points appalled me. Let me just mention a few in no particular order. Dr Gonsalves left St. Vincent for Trinidad for a ten-day vacation. That is what he announced in Parliament. According to press reports from Trinidad, the gentleman went on a spiritual retreat, living the celibate life among the monks of St. Benedict’s. According to the TNT Mirror of June 03 and June 10, 2005, Ralph’s visit to the "Mount" may have had nothing to do with spiritually. If this is in fact so, I shudder to think of the implications of this report. Dr Gonsalves recently offered to pay $500 to every student who passes five or more CXC subjects and two or more A’ Levels. This could be interpreted as an attempt to induce those families to vote for the ULP "when de day come". The Prime Minister hastily summoned teachers and students as young as nine to a political rally at the Arnos Playing Field to "pampaset" about what his government is doing in education. The President of the Teachers Union, Otto Sam, writing in the News of June 10, 2005 aptly describes the event as a waste of time, money energy and resources. Nevertheless Dr Gonsalves had his say, again.
Quite apart from what is mentioned above, the Prime Minister and certain members of his cabinet continue to victimize people and attempt to justify it. Allegations of corruption and the abuse of power are widespread. As the electorate suffer severe hardships, the PM spends most of time looking for votes rather than attending to the real issues of the day. For these and other reasons, Dr Gonsalves and the ULP deserves only one term in power. Conclusion As the electorate cry out for change, they sill have only two choices. When that time comes, they may choose Mr Arnhim Eustace, the political neophyte who now appears too aggressive, too arrogant and too power hungry. Or they may choose Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the rabid political animal with Machiavellian morals. May be it is time to look beyond Gonsalves and Eustace for political leadership at this time. Apart from their poor performances, both of these men are probably getting too old for the times we live in. I am sure that there are some thirty-something and forty-something year old young men and women out there who could take this country forward. It is definitely time for a new breed of political leaders to emerge. In the mean time, whom should the electorate choose? Arnhim? Ralph? As the calypsonian says: I am staying neutral Yours truly, Miss Lucienne Grant June 11, 2005 |
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