Time for ‘another kind of politics’ in SVG — Shallow

The opposition New Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate for North Leeward, Kishore Shallow used his maiden public political address to call for “another kind of politics” in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Shallow, who is also president of Cricket West Indies, has joined forces with the NDP in its bid to end the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 23-year hold on power in the country.

He portrayed the ruling party as having failed North Leeward and the country in several key areas, including agriculture, tourism and sports.

“My people, listen to this. The time has come for another kind of politics in our country. The time has come for us to put our country before party politics,” Shallow told the NDP’s convention in Petit Bordel on Sunday.

“The time has come for us to unite and advance our country,” he said in the speech that was a mix of picong and his views on the realities in North Leeward and the country as a whole.

“The time has come for us to say no more to neglect to North Leeward and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Shallow said, adding that the way forward is simple.

“It’s a straight road. It’s a road where we talk about improved attitude. It’s a road where we talk about love over hatred in politics. Neighbours and friends shouldn’t have to be hiding to speak to each other because of a man,” said Shallow, who has joined the political fray amidst a wave of support.

“It ha’ friends who fraid to talk to you just because they’re afraid they go be victimised and marginalised and all kind of ‘ise’,” Shallow said in the speech in which he incorporated elements of the Vincentian vernacular.

“The time has come, as I said, for people over politics. And so, my people, … I say to every single one of you, stand up and be counted … whenever it is.

“If he ring it next week, if he ring it next year, whenever he ring It, stand up and be counted. Stand up to unite your country,” Shallow said.

He was referring to the general elections, which are widely expected by November 2025, ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.

“Stand up for your children and our children’s children. Stand up for the single mothers who are being victimised and abused in this country. Stand up for the farmers who’ve been neglected all over the country,” Shallow said.

“Stand up for the healthcare system, my people. We say no more. Say no more. Say no more. No more neglect for us. My people, let us stand up. Let us stand up. Let us stand up with God. My North Leeward family, I love you,” Shallow said.

Earlier in the speech, Shallow traced his deep link to North Leeward, including the fact that his parents, grandmother, and stepfather were all from the constituency.

He noted that he attended the Westwood Methodist Primary School, before going on to attain a doctorate in finance.

“Let me say this and set the record straight. I am who I am because of North Leeward. I am who I am because of you, the people of North Leeward,” Shallow said.

“I played cricket in North Leeward,” Shallow said and listed many of the people with whom he played the game before becoming the head administrator of Vincentian, Windward Islands and West Indies cricket.

“And I recall those days, those good old days, when driving through North Leeward, we saw how we enjoyed a thriving economy.”

Shallow said that while growing up in North Leeward, he saw “people who were full of independence and with great pride”.

He noted the beautiful homes in Petit Bordel, adding that they were not built with mortgages alone.

“They were built on the hard back, on the sweat and tears of individuals here,” Shallow said.

 “How far back has North Leeward been pushed?” he said, adding that there was a time when constituents did not have to go to the capital, Kingstown, to seek employment.

 “My people of North Leeward, there was a time when actually people in town used to be happy when you come up because they know you come to spend your money. That is the reality.

“I say all that has been changed. And, bear in mind, this is not by coincidence that that has been changed. This was, in my opinion, a well-calculated design plan, and even with great hostility to the people of North Leeward — total injustice.

“And now we have to accept that we have been treated in North Leeward as almost second-class citizens. … Once the thriving economy of St. Vincent and Grenadines where we welcome and supported our brothers across the country, … for at least the last two decades I would say, we have been treated as second-class citizens.

 “And I say, no more to that; no more,” Shallow said and asked the crowd if their circumstances had increased over the last two decades.

“… with almost a quarter century of this same government, with almost 25 years of a man leading this country, has North Leeward improved?” Shallow said and the crowd responded, “No!”

“Do you think this government has your interest at heart?” he said to more shouts of “No!”

“I mean, it’s obvious. It’s obvious. In fact, let me tell you all, it has been a heart-wrenching time, painful time, difficult; people across this constituency, all across North Leeward you go, you hear the stories.

“People are in pain. People are hurting because you don’t want to beg. All you want are fair opportunities. But I tell you, the people are really struggling. Life is not easy, and who feels it knows,” Shallow said and went on to outline his vision for the district.