The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) held its annual convention on Sunday with party president, Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace, promising victory at the next general elections, constitutionally due in 2015.
“Today is Sunday, 24th November, 2013, the day that the Lord has given us. And it marks the beginning of the end of the Unity Labour Party in power in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The New Democratic Party stands ready to face this event with courage, and we are confident of success,” Eustace told party supporters at the NDP’s headquarters, Democrat House, in Kingstown.
“As leader of this great party, now in its 38th year, I make the following pledge to you, the people of this country:
“Our talented, mutli-skilled team of candidates, with your help, will remove the ULP from power at the next general elections, rebuild this nation’s shattered economy, increase employment and income, restore our moral fibre, reduce crime and corruption, and let Vincentian people smile again,” Eustace said at the beginning of his speech.
Eustace, who took over leadership of the NDP in October 2000, has been at the helm when the party suffered three consecutive defeats — in 2001, 2005, and 2010.
The party lost, 12-3 in 2001, after 17 years in office. There was a repeat of those results in 2005. However, the NDP came one seat shy of the electoral victory, when the Unity Labour won the 2010 elections – 8 seats to seven — and secured a third consecutive term in 2010.
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