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SVG cannot prosper without high-quality education 

Ivan O'Neal
Ivan O’Neal, leader and co-founder of SVG Green Party.

It is 35 years since the promise of independence was realised, but our country still fails under an inept government. The 27th October 1979 was meant to be the start of independence, but rather than cut the umbilical cord of dependence to the UK, successive SVG governments, including the ULP regime, have just hooked up additional umbilical cords to other richer nations. The slave mentality of the ‘begging bowl’ approach still exists.

Our country is in a mess and after 13 years in office, the ULP regime still fails many thousands of Vincentians. Agriculture is in crisis, poverty is in increasing, unemployment is high, crime is out of control, public debt is high and the education revolution is failing our children. This is no plan for independence.

It is the families of the poor who suffer the most. How can children in poverty celebrate independence, when many go to bed with an empty belly, many live in households that are unable to afford electricity and water, and many are being denied high-quality education?

The St. Lucian Opposition Leader, Allen Chastanet, has called for PM KennyAnthony to resign as Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, claiming that he has shown very little competence in managing their country’s fiscal situation.

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SVG Green party also demands the resignation of Gonsalves as he has been utterly hopeless in managing SVG’s public finances. The ULP regime lack the long-term vision needed to create an independent nation, built upon high-quality education and a strong sustainable economy.

The main components that shackle our people in poverty and our country dependent upon other nations, is Taiwan using our deep-sea tuna fishing licence and the discriminatory tax exemptions given to Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan. These two policies, upheld by the NDP and ULP regimes, are the wicked evils that hold our country back.

Our people need emancipation from the gross injustice of discriminatory laws that let super-rich foreigners prosper with tax-exemptions, whilst Vincentians suffer being taxed to the extreme.

Long-term, sustainable independence for our country will only be achieved when we have a strong economy. We must cut ties with Taiwan and open ties with China and urgently build our own billion-dollar tuna fishing and fish processing industry. We must also put high-quality education at the heart of our economy and build our own science and technology university to educate our people.

For true independence, a Green government will abolish these discriminatory tax laws that punish our people. This will help to boost the economy, create thousands of new jobs, help SVG businesses to prosper and create the revenue needed to competently manage the socio-economic and financial affairs of our beloved country.

May God continue to bless SVG. Happy 35th anniversary.

Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA

Leader and co-founder of SVG Green Party 

SVG Green Party

2 replies on “Leader of SVG Green Party, Ivan O’Neal’s, Independence Message 2014”

  1. In the UK, we have a political party called “The monster raving loony party”
    This party was once led by a cat (feline not 60’s term for a cool man) called Catmando
    The monster raving looney party has contested many a by-election and they have won many votes. Inevitably however, they tend to lose their deposits at “most” (not all) of these by-elections.
    I have learned something from the monster raving loony party and that is, there are a lot of nutters out there who will vote for anything and there are a lot of political parties who will promise to deliver anything.
    Most sane people in the UK recognise the monster raving looney party for what they are (the clue is in the name) and they are seldom offered a public voice to spout their particular brand of madness.
    Why can’t we in SVG follow suit and say to people like Mr O’Neal; NO! Stop it. Just stop it right now!
    You sir are free to be as mad as you wish, but you will not inflict your madness upon us.
    As a “leader” of a party, you need to inspire and not just point out what is wrong with our society. Where is your vision? Where are your solutions?
    Until you have answers as opposed to pointing out blatant flaws; you sir must go away and mumble incoherently to the voices in your head.

  2. If Ivan O’Neal was to die today, he will only be remembered for chaining himself to the Court House fence. That would be his legacy. His constant foolish utterances will do and has done his brand no good. Please Mr. O’Neal do us a favour and repeat the chaining stunt, make sure to tie it by your neck the next time though. The vincentian public deserve an encore.

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