Advertisement 330
Advertisement 334
A section of the march in Kingstown on Thursday. (IWN photo)
A section of the march in Kingstown on Thursday. (IWN photo)
Advertisement 219

The views expressed herein are those of the writer and do not represent the opinions or editorial position of I-Witness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].

Preamble: I cannot show a political party how to win an election, but I sure can tell them how not to lose one.

Many persons have had their say about the smallness of the NDP’s recent march in Kingstown; and rightly so. It was a march with the smallest crowd ever assembled/organised by any political party since One Man One Vote took effect in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

(Scroll for I-Witness News video of the march)

The NDP needs now to go back to the drawing board in terms of the mobilisation of its supporters instead of Major blabbing his mouth that all co-operation between opposition and government is off the table.

Advertisement 21

(Click for more photos)

The march failed miserably and a deeper look within the party needs some urgent attention.

If history can be a guide, then the NDP should not press the panic button (don’t touch that Red Button!).

Just about two days before the referendum, almost 40,000 gathered at the Diamond Dairy area for a concert put on by the Yes Vote Committee.

The results of the referendum showed that it was only in two constituencies the Yes Vote was carried.

The pathetic-looking march and the winning of the referendum are not the only variables the NDP needs to take into consideration for the next general elections. Some gag need to be placed on the mouth of Major, the Canadian-accent candidate and some loose lips around the NDP, including Sir James.

A consideration the NDP must also take into account: is the physical death of E.G. the political death of Arnhim and the NDP?

This question was raised in relation to the ULP when Glen departed, but the party took time out and built on its propaganda machine, with first recruiting Hans, then Crick came on board after he was cut by Cable and Wireless and Ballah, after his not-so-good stint at the NLA.

Burns quickly skipped the NDP, Star Radio was born and the likes of Sehon and Dennie came with creativity and the ULP propaganda machine was well oiled and on its way, which allows for the party to still be in office, and hopefully heading for a fourth consecutive term.

The NDP has lost a voice in E.G. and the many hosts it has hosting its New Times radio programme are not helping the party’s cause.

The party needs a voice and the removal of Bert or Margaret from their night programmes may help. Or, why not work out a deal with Knowledge? He has radio experience and a passion for politics.

Whatever plans the NDP has for the next general elections the party can only succeed if it can overcome the political guile of a leader, who has with him some very ambitious, young and upcoming politicians who are bent on winning.

The NDP needs to forget about this ring the bell; that is only to satisfy the entertainment base of the party. Real hard work needs to be done and the more entertainment the party organises, the more frustrated those like Major will become, when the anticipated crowd is not present.

Duggie “Nose” Joseph

(First published on Facebook, Aug. 1, 2014)

The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].

8 replies on “That Ring De Bell March”

  1. Urlan Alexander says:

    Very interesting piece Dougie. However the comparison you made about the 40 000 strong crowd at the Yes Campaign Rally and losing the vote two days after is very revealing and give food for thought. It tells me that on a Thursday with that crowd and no money for them to bus people freely into Kingstown is not too bad at all. As you know Mr. Joseph the politics in this country is so divided and filled with hate and malice; many who wanted to march didn’t because of fear of one thing or the other. As a respected and experience journalists and with your understand of the country your article could have been more balanced. I was very much interested with the empathy displayed by the sideliners who from a lot of their facial expressions were in solidarity with the protest. On a another note corruption, nepotism is so rampant in this country and journalist here only regurgitate what they’re told. No effort is being made by any journalist to dig for the truth. Here is one you should investigate. It is alleged that the stone crusher at the Airport Site In Argyle is being use as a cash cow, aggregates are made and sold to private entities and monies are being collected and syphoned off by the high folks. Investigate that please Mr. Joseph. While you’re doing that you will be more than surprised what you will uncover. Your personal opinion is ok but do some investigation as well.

    1. Urlan, I agree with your opinion. It was spot on. I appreciate Duggie’ candid perspective and yes the NDP really needs to do some serious strategic planning and organizing. There were a number of reasons why more people were not seen in yellow and actually participating in the march. The relatively small crowd does not suggest that support for the NDP is not there or not growing. I think the biggest factor in all of this is the climate of fear that many Vincentians live in. But trust me when the time comes, when the bell is rung, they will exercise their political franchise. Keep up the good works my brother; we are all in this struggle together.

  2. Duggie ‘Nose’ Joseph, you are a shameful thing for a journalist. Quit the profession, please.

  3. Here again everything is Kingstown. Take the message to every town and village. Go to the mountain if the mountain doesn’t come to you. Don’t under estimate Joseph article. The woman, who took over from the guy that went over to the ULP, is not doing much for improving life in a better SVG.
    I keep hinting about issues that can make a difference in this coming election and NDP are trying to run on inertia. Let people know what to expect and why they should vote Ralph and his puppets out. Compile facts to prove agricultures, tourism, new investments are on the decline or have not improved for 13 years. Try not to put Arnhim up against Ralph, that didn’t work the last time and it will not this time. Let the other members take on some of the strain, so Arnhim is free to concentrate on the financial issues that plague the island.

  4. Tell NOSE he is JONNY COME LATELY.Margeret and Bert is the thorn in them flesh ,they are hitting Nose and the ULP where it hurts.AH wonder where is Nose comments on ALL the thiefing thats taking place in SVG.I think the march got Nose wondering where his next meal coming from when NDP takes over the reign,ah boy Nose the gravy dry up,start jumping ship,before you drown dont go down with the ship.

  5. Are you a journalist or a political activist? This article articulate the sickening state of affairs in SVG.Even if one person show up at the march and rally,the fact is the message was delivered to the government.If the march and rally was a disappointment they won’t be up in arms and ‘running their mouths.So many things are going wrong in this country and you as a journalist writing about march and rally.No matter how much you guys try to defend the bad state of affairs under this ULP government,the reality is that the people are getting the message and the people will vote the ULP out of government .And,the estimation of your 40,000 crowd at the yes campaign is pure propaganda.Write about the rampant corruption,unemployment,the ‘onemanism within the ULP,crime and violence and so many socio-economic in SVG.This was a shameful display of ignorance by a journalist and Mr.Chance shouldnot have printed it.Just my opinion.

  6. NOSE SEES THE WRITING ON THE WALL ALREADY . NOTHING GOING TO STOP THIS DEFEAT, CROWDS IN THE MARCHING WILL ONLY GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO PUBLISH NEXT WEEK , , MYSELF AND THE OTHER SIX WILL BE VOTING NDP YOU STOP THAT NOSE, THE LAST THREE ELECTIONS ULP LOST VOTES AND THIS ONE THEY WILL LOSE MORE , WHEN PEOPLE CAN.T MAKE ENDS MEET AND PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE YOU THINK THEY WILL STAY? I LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

Comments closed.