Vincentians who advocate home-grown national honours should also support a home-grown constitution and head of state, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said Friday in his National Heroes Day address.
He made the point at the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the obelisk in Dorsetshire Hill, where the Right Excellent Joseph Chatoyer, the nation’s only national hero, died on March 14, 1795 in a battle with the British.
Gonsalves comments seemed to have been made in response to former minister of culture, John Horne, who represented Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace at the event.
Horne, a member of the Eustace-led New Democratic Party (NDP), who also represents Eustace on the National Heroes Selection Committee, said that there are many exemplary Vincentians, who do not meet the criteria for National Hero status.
“It is imperative, therefore, that a structure of carefully crafted national honours is put in place to replace the current British colonial honours under which we continue to operate,” he said, adding that Chatoyer would have supported such a system.
He further suggested a British firm founded in 1666, which, he said, “can provide all the help we need”.
Horne further suggested a wide range of award to cover many sphere of endeavours.
But Gonsalves in his address, said, “Chatoyer would have wanted home-grown honours and, I believe, at the same time, that Chatoyer would have supported a home-grown constitution.”
His comments were in apparent reference to the proposed revised constitution, which Vincentians rejected in a referendum in 2009. The NDP had campaigned against the document, which was the result of a seven-year process that initially began with bipartisan support.
“I don’t think that logically we can vote to keep a British monarch and then look askance at British honours,” Gonsalves said.
“If we are serious about removing British honours, there must be a galvanizing national movement from today to have a home-grown head of state and I would be at the head of the queue with others who would wish to join,” Gonsalves further said.
He, however, said Horne “is quite right that in the determination of national heroes, we must not on narrow political or any other grounds seek to elevate someone as a national hero.
But, equally, we must not allow political prejudices or notions tainted by such prejudices to deny someone who ought to be legitimately accorded that office,” Gonsalves said.
Cabinet has appointed a committee to propose name of persons to be appointed as national heroes.
“I await with some anxiety — not born of whom will be submitted, but anxiety for a hastening of the process, so that we can put before the people other candidates, having been determined through the process as outlined in the act to be national heroes in addition to the Right Excellent Joseph Chatoyer,” Gonsalves said.
Here we go again, he is still dreaming of being head of state, a dictatorship for life position for him and his son.
It realy is time for this man to go, perhaps the way he is heading with his over eating and bodly inflation, he will be plucked from us. What a relief that would be for us all.
Here we go again more talk, Gunzy aren’t you tired of talking?. There are so many other more important things to talk about. Talk about all the people who are being under served in the hospital for lack of supplies. Talk about the pressure, high prices of energy, lights being cut off left and right, water being cut off left and right. Talk about the VAT on local produce.
All these are things that need to be talked about but you are talking about honours? Hahah, this man is crazy. Let me let you know something Dr Ralph, you will never be a national hero, people will remember you for being a dictator who brought our economy down to it’s knees. You are in the same league as Forbes burnham and the other tyrants who destroyed their countries economy for years to come.
But you are not alone, your friend Denzil Douglas is right there along with you, the two of you will be remembered for bringing your countries to all time lows. And with all the Audio and Video tapes with your bad behavior and racial remarks, forget about it, you will never be a national hero, history is already set and nothing you do can change that now.
So Arnhim is saying that It is imperative, therefore, that a structure of carefully crafted national honours is put in place to replace the current British colonial honours under which we continue to operate,? Sounds like the kinda Arnhim I once knew. Black Power Arnhim!
Too bad is John Horne speaking for him? But its all good. We can straighten things out.