Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown St. Clair Leacock has praised his constituents for their continued support for the New Democratic Party as yet another Unity Labour Party candidate garnered even less support in the district.
Leacock was elected to a third consecutive term as MP for the area in the Nov. 5 general elections when he secured 2,642 votes against 1,965 for the Unity Labour Party’s Dominic Sutherland.
He said that between 1998 and 2020, the ULP has gained 78 votes in Central Kingstown while his New Democratic Party (NDP) has attracted a further 1,085 votes.
He noted that the results mean that he has erased the 448-vote deficit that the NDP lost the seat by in 1998 and has added a 600-vote lead.
“Even if I didn’t run in the next election, New Democratic Party wins,” Leacock told the NDP’s “Thank You” rally in Kingstown on Saturday.
“It is statistically impossible for them to win us in the Kingstown. And I am even stronger now that I have Fitz Bramble guarding the east and Daniel [Cummings] protecting the West,” Leacock said, refereeing to his NDP’s colleagues, who are MP for East and West Kingstown.
He said that Central Kingstown is a “beacon of example” to the nation.
“You can bring Love Box, you can bring hate box, or even if you can’t box. There is no way, Jose, you can win a seat in Central Kingstown in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
The ULP has been returned to office for an historic fifth consecutive term, having won nine of the 15 electoral seats.
However, the party lost the popular vote for the first time since 1998, meaning that more Vincentians voted for the NDP to be in government than did for the ULP.
“And I promise you, it will not be easy for them over in the months, ahead. I didn’t say years, the months ahead because we will make it very unfavourable for them to govern in this St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Leacock said of the ULP administration.
“The people’s voice, the people’s wishes must be heard. You know why? Because every time we stand, every time we speak, every time we represent in the parliament, we represent that majority views of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And so, when we speak, we speak with the authority.”
Leacock told NDP supporters that he knows they are disappointed that the party did not win the election.
“I am, too, but we praise you tonight for standing stoically or standing strongly,” he said, adding that he understands “the pain and agony” of fellow NDP vice-president Roland “Patel” Matthews, a two-term MP for North Leeward who lost by one vote.
“It couldn’t be easy, Patel, to withstand $2 million of bribe in North Leeward. Had to be a tsunami. But he has stood and we have stood shoulder to shoulder behind him.
“It could not be easy in central leeward for Ben to withstand the millions that came by there. But that’s not how elections should be fought”
Ben Exeter, the NDP’s candidate for Central Leeward, who was making his second attempt to win the seat, lost by 503 votes to newcomer Orando Brewster of the ULP.
Leacock said that the NDP and its leader, Godwin Friday, MP for the Northern Grenadines, are “steeled and determined that we have one mission, to build a better nation, to bring our people together, to end divisiveness and to make sure that all of our people can be proud so that one day, as my colleagues have said, in unison and in one voice, all of us in the New Democratic party will sing that great song make popular by our own Martin Luther King, Free at last, Free at last, Free at last. Thank God the New Democratic Party has freed us, at last.”
Leacock said he has represented the NDP in various capacities in 10 electoral outings since 1984.
He said that on a number of occasions during the 2020 election campaign, he was tempted to tell party supporters to “take a good look at the Major”, a reference to the military rank he retains from his service in the Cadet Force.
“Tonight, I ask you to take a good look but I want to say remember what Daniel Cummings say. If Daniel can run, Major could run too. So all those who have thought that the running days of the Major are over, I say, as in the Baptist song, “Me never get weary yet. Me never get weary yet.”
Daniel Cummings, who was elected to a third term as MP for West Kingstown, used Saturday’s meeting to address speculations about his future in politics, telling party supporters that he was committed to finishing what he started.
There were also votes from several churches that Ben didn’t and couldn’t get because most or all have links and ULP supporters. I don’t think Ben was a member of any church in his constituency and that’s why he didn’t and couldn’t count on their support.
It is quite interesting that on one hand Mr. Leacock is preaching about unity and ending divisiveness, and then within the same speech on the other hand threatening to make the country ungovernable. How can this be considered as sane and mature within the context of nation building? To build the nation, the aim should be togetherness, working from all sides to develop and progress the people of SVG, regardless of race or political affiliation.
As opposition in the parliament, the job should not be on mere opposing, but on generating a platform to keep the governing party in check and accountable. Not to create mischief and division, Not to break down, but to build in a sensible and responsible manner. There is a need for true leadership from both sides, going forward. Occupying the leadership position of a party or organization does not automatically makes an individual a leader.
Its time that that big mouth man leacock. Go sit down in his veranda home. Every time I look at him talking i want to puke. He has no class to run government.
what happen to Ben in Central Leeward is retribution, for accusing people of stealing an election which he could not win. Ms Findlay eye water will not go to waste along with the pain and suffering he caused all the persons he hauled before the court. This is with off course the help of Dr. Friday and the rest of the NDP. God is not sleeping
He comes across too aggressive and bully like, as if he is losing control. Friday is more of a statesman and more suitable to be Prime Minister. Cummings has a great role to play – but not as PM.
Rosa, if the man who carry the name pm has been accused of rape and has the class to run government, then why mr. Leacock can’t be in government? I think many of you lack good moral. About being aggressive, I work in Europe for a very long time, and when we the ethnic workers speak out we are deemed as being aggressive, when the white worker speak out, they are being assertive. , why should one stay quiet and allow anyone to walk on you? you all must look and listen carefully to reconize who are the agressors and bullies, the names and insults that people are being given, its very shameful. If my 7yrs nephew do not like the way I may speak to him, he will watch me in my face, and say auutu , why are you speaking to me like that, or, do not talk to me like that? Do I say he is aggressive? OK
Poniesha, can camillo be your pm? If so, then why Mr Cummings can’t.?
The ULP will be alright. The months ahead won’t be easy for the Vincentian people.
Rosa, it’s not time the big belly man go to a nursing home?