Roland “Patel” Matthews, the opposition MP for North Leeward who was defeated in the Nov. 5 general elections, says that he did not lose at the poll, but that the returning officer gave the seat to his opponent, Carlos James.
After a 17-hour recount, the returning officer, McArthur Gordon declared James, of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP), winner of the seat by a single vote.
The preliminary results on election night said that James — who Matthews defeated by 12 votes in 2015 — had won the 2020 poll by seven votes.
However, at the final count, James was declared the winner by one vote, and the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) later said that Gordon had refused to count for Matthews three votes that would have made him the winner.
Matthews, speaking at the NDP’s “Thank You” rally in Kingstown on Saturday, said the media should ask the returning officer, why he “gave” the seat to James.
“And I want to say tonight, and I want to say to the journalists tonight, I want to give you a task, my brothers in the journalist area, I want you to ask McArthur Gordon the returning officer for North Leeward why he gave the seat to Carlos James. I want you to ask you that serious question,” Matthews said.
Matthews who took to the stage with the same high energy as he had during the election campaign, told constituents to “stand firm”, saying, “we’re not giving up.
“North Leeward and SVG, we’re not giving up. I thank you for all you did. You came out in your numbers; you supported Patel Matthews and the New Democratic Party. You did well because you will know even before election, they throw everything at North Leeward. They throw money; some people even get some old window and all to vote for Labour.
“But, they can’t keep me down. They cannot keep we down and I am sending a message loud and clear that when I came into politics, I do so for the people and my continuation in this field will be if the people of North Leeward want me to continue and from all discussion with them, they say, ‘Mr. Matthews, ah you arwe want.’”
Matthews, a former teacher, recounted his history in electoral politics, noting that his journey began 20 years ago when he was a student at the University of the West Indies.
“I was called to the fore by the people of the beautiful constituency of North leeward to be their representative. The first time around, I didn’t make it, but I stand firm. I did not say if I did not win I wouldn’t come back,” he said, echoing James’s words after his 2015 defeat.
Matthew noted that that he also did not win in 2005 but was victorious in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015.
“In 2020, the people came out and they voted for Patel Matthews and the New Democratic Party,” Matthews said.
Matthews was addressing NDP supporters at a time when the party has suffered its fifth consecutive electoral defeat, even as it won the popular vote for the first time since 1998.
“My people, tonight, I want you to be strong, I want you to be strong going forward because as they say, you are the majority. You have to let Ralph Gonsalves and the Unity Labour Party know that you are the majority and it will not be business as usual.
“So when your party calls on you to go out and support that majority, make sure you do it in your numbers. Make sure that when injustice is done in this country and when [NDP leader] Dr. [Godwin] Friday calls you out, make sure you come out, because you are the majority. Make sure you come out. Let them feel the wrath of people power. Let them feel the wrath of people power because you’re not going to stand for nonsense anymore. You are the majority.”
He called on party supporters to stand firm, saying that challenging times are ahead.
“And the New Democratic Party, we have to band together to face the challenges. We have to be our brother’s keeper going forward, we have to support each other going forward and as I say to you,” Matthews said and again urged party supporters to be ready when their leader calls on them.
“… come out in your numbers to show that you are the majority because you are the majority. Vincentians in 2020, they came out and they say they want change and you, the people, gave them the change and you said you want the New Democratic Party to be your government.
“We have to make it happen. We cannot allow a minority government to be doing us as they please. No way, José. No way! So continue the fight, my brothers and sisters… be of good courage as we go forward into unknown and uncharted times.”
Matthews told constituents not to lose hope “because Patel Matthews nah go nowhere at all. Them ah go tired to see me face”.
Is it possible to take this issue to the court, so that a judge can determine if Patel is right?
Patel take the issue in your own hands, go Tilibanic style on them. Let Uncle Pochie, make some Butu, for you and buy some rum for them Fellas, then attack.
Yes I think it’s possible we need justice
New election more like it
They didn’t count 3 of his Patel votes what about the 39 votes for James that they didn’t you ppl are so sick you lost at the poles that’s it unbelievable
If the Ballots are rejected, they cannot be counted!! Go Read!!
Patel you lose more on man
If its so a course of action to cure this misscarriage of justice must be sought out so as to see a fair process throughout