Speculation is rife that the return of Camillo Gonsalves to SVG would see the first son of the Prime Minister replacing him as leader of the ULP and Prime Minister of SVG.
If that were to happen it would be the first time in our history that a son succeeded his father as PM. Not at all a good history to make, according to some, who seem to have a real repulsion to the idea that after Gonsalves’ abusive rule we would have to contend with Gonsalves living vicariously through his son for another term or two.
I see it as a party matter to begin with and it should be therefore left to the party to sort out.
Ralph Gonsalves rose to power just over 12 years ago and has been the most divisive prime minister in our nation’s history. While he rewards his most loyal of supporters with jobs and scholarships and does nothing about their indiscretions in public office, he has filed more lawsuits against private persons than any other Vincentian, living or dead. He has also ended the careers of persons who he merely perceived to be his critics, while the truth be told, persons were fired, denied promotions, transferred, or frustrated for barely speaking up. No need to rehash a list here, but Otto Sam and Anesia Baptiste remain two best-known cases. That background was for folks who didn’t know what Gonsalves is like.
I welcome Camillo Gonsalves back to SVG. I don’t know to what extent he has become his father over the years but the reality is that we cannot and should not even consider preventing the off springs of politicians from entering politics.
I am sure that he has something more substantial than this present crop of ULP politicians to offer. By the way, the ULP cabinet is the weakest in the history of our nation. It is replete with yes men with little or no conscience and some who can’t pronounce their names properly. Anyhow, Camillo could replace anyone of them in a flash and do a far better job than all of them with the exceptions of Saboto Caesar perhaps. Saboto will be Camillo’s closest rival for leadership, but it is fair to conclude that with the Prime Minister’s substantial financial resources that he gathered over the years and the backing of Julian Francis, The Hadleys, Sir Vincent and the elite in the ULP that Saboto is the dark horse that just won’t make it.
The only question that remains to be answered this very minute as I pen this letter is which constituency should be given to Camillo. Now safe seats are hard to find these days. Since PM Gonsalves will lead the party into the next elections, he will keep his constituency of North Central Windward. In fact it is believed that if the PM vacates that seat so Camillo could run it, and runs in another constituency, like North Windward that his defeat will be sound. So the PM will remain where he would be spared the embarrassment of an ignominious thrashing in this latter part of his life.
Camillo stands a good chance in North Windward. Well here is the reasoning of an insider: Camillo is young, tall, handsome, light skinned with curly hair and single.
Now, it is a ridiculous notion to use colour and other physical attributes but strategists like Julian Francis and Ralph Gonsalves will leave no stones unturned. Remember he is known for making references to his whiteness. He has ridiculed African features in the past.
Anyhow, they are hoping that he will be a heartthrob sensation across the river and capture the imagination and hearts of the young women and men too. With good looks and lots of money to spend the ULP could retain North Windward with Camillo Gonsalves. It is a sad indictment of how the ULP sees the rural areas but the “country people” may just prove them wrong.
Now, only one situation remains. If Camillo were to run in North Windward what do we do with Montgomery Daniel? He might have to be persuaded to give up his seat. Money might help and the chairmanship of a few boards. An ambassadorship might appeal more to Daniel but that was struck from the list given his very obvious limitations not least his unrefined social skills.
Some of the discussion pointed to Camillo running in East Kingstown. He lived in Frenches for many years. But it was quickly taken off the table. Luke Browne will remain there to run against Eustace. It is not expected that he will come close to beating a Prime Minister in waiting. People fed up of chicken back juice.
Besides the whole exercise must begin with a safe seat for the ULP not the NDP!
Clayton Burgin will gladly give up his seat for Camillo Gonsalves to run in East St. George. That is the view of the elite in the party. Burgin is one of the ULP politicians who have taken a back seat over the years to Julian Francis who has never won a seat. So he would do it for the PM’s son. That is their reasoning. Burgin might have to remain in SVG and chair a few boards. He is not ambassador material. There is the possibility that he might manage the Argyle Airport.
In any event, with Dr. Linton Lewis’ elevation to senator and House of Parliament, it is believed that he could take East St. George next elections. It is not a safe seat for the ULP.
The only other safe seat besides North Central Windward is South Central Windward. Gustaus Stevenson is young, like Camillo, but they are like “chalk and cheese” in terms of capacity and it is believed that Stevenson – said to be battling with ill health — will not be missed
Neither would he make a fuss about it. It could be presented as a great opportunity for Stevenson to go back to school. He could go to Cuba, Mexico or Venezuela to pursue his first degree. If he doesn’t fancy the idea of getting some tertiary education he could be Camillo’s parliamentary secretary.
But Camillo will run in a safe seat. Glen Beache won it and he wasn’t talented. Stephenson won it and he was less talented than Glen Beache. Surely the son of the Prime Minister who is far brighter and far fairer than Glen and Stephenson will win South Central Windward.
So, we have a seat. Well, they have a seat. Which one is it? Only time will tell.
Slim Slack
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Mr Slack, sir, you ain’t slack.
Except that I do not think that “very obvious limitations” and “unrefined social skills” is necessarily a bar to a St Vincent and the Grenadines ambassadorship.
And the Hadleys may have already got what they wanted but you never know.
The author don’t know what the hell he/she is saying because Saboto Caesar is the current representative for South Central Windward.
REMEMBER I TOLD YOU SO, BUT IT COULD WELL BE HE WILL WANT TO RUN IN EAST SAINT GEORGE WHERE HE RECENTLY PURCHASED A HOUSE AMONG THE ISLANDS WEALTHY AND ELITE, WHY THERE, BECAUSE HE BADLY NEEDS TO BECOME AND FEEL LIKE A REAL VINCENTIAN.
I HEARD FROM A SCOURCE AT THE DINNER TABLE OF THE PROPOSED DYNASTY CREATOR THAT IT WAS CLAYTON BURGIN WHO WAS TO SACRIFICED TO STOP LYNTON LEWIS FROM SUCCEEDING NEXT TIME.
WE DO NOT WANT ANOTHER GONSALVES WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THE FIRST ONE, THE CREATION OF A DYNASTY IS THE LAST THING THAT WE WANT OR NEED. I BELIEVE SUCH ACTION WOULD COMPOUND OUR CONTROL BY THE CUBANS.
FERRARI, National Properties, I here that they no longer employ their speciality cherry pickers of Bequia land.
MAYBE ITS SIMPLY TIME TO REMOVE THE SCUM
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2013/07/28/scum-always-rises-to-the-top/
Anything is possible when come to the Unity Labour Party, I expect them to make o lot of changes and shuffling up leading to the next General elections. I don’t think any of the above mentioned going to help U.L.P at the poles, they have created this on them self The ULP has done some good things during their tenure. we all know quite well that things hard economically around the globe. when a so call Labour Government,stoop so low as to send home 85 workers base on allegations that they took industrial action, so what can you expect from such a Government. I think that U.L.P. Government to doing ever thing within their power to lose the next election. Take warning Mr.PM, (politically) your days are numbered and you are found wanted. 95 percent of the port police that you fired are U.L.P. supporters
Camillo Gonsalves is a qualified Engineer and Attorney. He is arguably the best young (International) Diplomat the United Nations has seen in many years.
No other Vincentian ANYWHERE, has the international experience, oratorical skills or general ability which he possesses.
“Employ?” Huh?
They went in. Got what they wanted. Then left.
Employ?
We must not forget how this silly young man handled the police matter at his offices in New York. He proved himself to be imature and I believe unworthy of his position, even a simple office clerk would of known better, would of handled it with diplomacy. Perhaps its time that we had a replay of all those going on’s. Also the very stupid behaviour of his father following such events.
It proved to me that this young American Jamaican man, although perhaps well educated, had no common sense, and no real understanding of the word diplomacy.
Lets have replay.
Is this an anti ULP news source? might have to get balanced reporting elsewhare. Sorry to see the news paper heading in that direction.
The reply feature doesn’t seem to be working but I wanted to respond to veb. veb I’m not sure if the site is anti ULP. I think the jury is still out on that. What I notice though is a lot of anti ULP sentiments in the comments. Seems the site may attract a lot of anti ULP people. Well nothing is wrong with free speech. They are free to say whatever I guess. No idea where the pro ULP people are. I would only wish that there is a balanced mix of comments on the site. Are the comments that are made on this site a reflection of the reality on the ground? I cannot say. What I hope to see though are more human and social interest stories. We are just too damn political. It would be great to have more stories on the economy, education, innovation, creativity and related issues. But maybe no one is interested in those?
I personally do not have a single issue with Camillo but……… “He is arguably the best young (International) Diplomat the United Nations has seen in many years”
This is based on what body of work, and compared to whom else?
MIKE DAVID, your observations are quite valid.
I am just wondering if this a Gonsalves attempt to create more jobs.
You can be sure that they will want to give him a big police security protection force, up to 100 men on rotation like daddy. Why? you may ask, because he is considered by fat man daddy as the future, the torch carrier for the Gonsalves dynasty, someone to own the country for a further 40 years. God forbid, with all the danger that may come from the boys in the hills and the barons, perhaps even all the family requires protection, perhaps even the extended family requires protection, uncles aunts, brothers sisters, nieces and nephews.
The answer may eventually be that they all move to Cuba.
PAPA DOC AND BABY DOC MKll
What in heaven’s name is this about? Slim Slack you are one idle individual. If you need to express your disapproval of the Gonsalves administration why use Camillo in such a manner? Who gives a rats shite about your speculation you call an opinion. This is plain propaganda. Get A Life!
Camillo is not a single man (married with child)… Nor is he an engineer…we’re not working in facts are we?
Before becoming a qualified Lawyer, Camillo Gonsalves, obtained his first degree…..in ENGINEERING!
DO YOU HAVE PROOF THAT HE IS NOT A QUALIFIED ENGINEER?