The people of West Kingstown “are in very safe hands” says newly-minted Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Keisal Peters, a constituent who has expressed interest in becoming the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) candidate for the district in the next general election.
Since 2010, Daniel Cummings, of the opposition New Democratic Party, has been representing West Kingstown.
He has defeated the two candidates, both women, that the ULP has fielded against him, winning by 517 votes in 2010, a margin that fell to 444 in 2015 but shot up to 714 in 2020.
His margin of victory was eclipsed only by the 1,989-vote victory registered by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
Peters, a lawyer, who was appointed minister of states in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2020, was promoted to full minister on Friday.
“It would be remiss of me not to mention the community of West Kingstown,” Peters, 36, said in her maiden address after creating history by becoming the first woman and youngest person to become Minister of Foreign Affairs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I want to thank you, for the ones who I knew from the very beginning — neighbours and friends — and since my appointment and getting to know the people and meeting the people, you’ve been very welcoming, very receptive,” she said at her swearing-in ceremony at Government House.
“And you’ve indicated your willingness to work with me and I am ready and willing to work with you and I want the people of West Kingstown to know that you are in very safe hands,” Peters said.
“To my Cabinet colleagues, who I consider my brothers, they are like my personal hype men,” said Peters, the only female member of the Cabinet.
“They were very concerned about today. Whether, you know, I had made my appointments with my hair stylist, whether I had spoken to my designer, and you know, they were just eager and waiting and ready to know that everything was set for today,” she said.
Minister of Public Service, Consumer Affairs and Sports, Frederick Stephenson, who was among people witnessing the events, shouted out, “Call names!”
“And we have a very good rapport and I’ve said before, that they have embraced me and welcomed me as a sister and as a friend in the Cabinet,” Peters said.
“And I want to give you my assurances that you can continue to count on me as a colleague and as a friend, wherever the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade can assist. I will be here and no doubt I know that you will do the same for me.”
Peters asked the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines “to rest assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is in safe hands, not just my hands but the many hands who lift it — as I said staff, both in St. Vincent and abroad.
“The people can rest assured that the foreign policy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in safe hands and it is sound foreign policy and in the last year and a half, I’ve learned and I’ve seen it demonstrated in many instances that St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we are unwavering.”
She said that when it comes to foreign policy, Kingstown does not “pick and choose when to apply the principles of international law.
“And for that we are consistent. And whether people want to believe it or not, St Vincent and the Grenadines though, we are small. We are well respected in international circles. Always.
“I can attest to that. And as it relates to any matters touching and concerning the well being of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, you can rest assured that you have an advocate in me,” Peters said.
The senator said the historical nature of the event was not lost on her, adding that she was ready to represent the people of SVG in the higher capacity with more responsibilities to which she has been elevated.
Well, you and Ralph could shake hands aryo can compete in d who the biggest and fattest minister in d lan. Aryo r not good role models.
The Minister of Rum wants her to call names….lol. What ah circus…..bring in the clowns!
You all country needs a major face lift. It is becoming getto Jamaica. I am appalled for the state that Saint Vincent has become. You can’t drive in certain place for the broken streets that you are encountering. Wake up ulp and do something. You won’t get no tourists visiting this place.
West Kingstown Always in Good Hand
We Are NDP Nation
We Dont Begg for Handouts
She would never get that Seat
You Really Believe Town People Dotish
Is Country People Is Who Hav Ralph In Power
And They Dotish like Bat
Can anybody Imagine how can women associating themselves with accused rapists and not having any sympathy for the victims? Woe unto ar we who see evil and call it godly, who see see dark and call it light. no moral no Intergrity
The latest pawn in the Gonsalves/ULP game. It is now all or nothing for them. Yet the blood of out forebearers cries out across eternity and we won’t go queitly into the night without a fight cause when darters rises so does light to meet it; there is no speech nor language where the voices of,the ritcheos, the victims and the oppressed is not heard. Evil doesn’t last forever.
There’s nothing wrong with dreaming but the problem is that the dream only last while you sleep so it is your right to dream so dream on.Don’t wake up too soon.
The latest pawn in the Gonsalves/ULP game. It is now all or nothing for them. Yet the blood of our forebearers cries out across eternity and, we won’t go quietly into the night without a fight cause when darkness rises so, does light to meet it; there is no speech nor language where the voices of the Righteous, the victims and the oppressed are not heard. Evil doesn’t last forever. (This is what I really meant to say)
I am absolutely appalled at some of the comments made, especially about Ms. Peters’ size. Some persons are just naturally big, however we have this attitude that if someone is not “skinny” they are not healthy or attractive.
I would say however that West Kingstown is in safe hand, Daniel Cummings of the NDP, not sure about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially with Rondy “Luta” McIntosh. I guess payment for the graveyard incident.
SVG is currently in a dire situation under the current government, but that is what happens when people put self before the nation and more so GOD. I am just asking people to do the right thing, look at your current situation, even outside covid, and ask the question, Am I in a better place?
I never heard such dotishness so yet..the last 25 years who’s hands the country under???