Grace Walters promises ‘proper representation’ in N. Windward

Hospital Administrator at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Grace Walters was on Sunday nominated by the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) constituency conference as the party’s candidate for North Windward in the next general elections.

Her name will be forwarded to the constituency’s screening committee and then to the party’s central executive for ratification.

These are expected to be mere formalities as the ULP’s North Windward constituency council nominated her as the candidate in May 2023.

In her speech to the conference in Sandy Bay on Sunday, Walters, who was born in Sandy Bay and lives in Kingstown, responded to criticism that she no longer lives in North Windward.

She told party supporters that it was not the first time that she had lived where she worked.

“I promise proper representation to the people of North Windward so that I can continue to build — so that we can continue to build the constituency of North Windward for the advancement of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” she said.

Walters holds a doctorate in health care administration and management and master’s degrees in nursing and health care administration, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

 “…comrades of North Windward, people of Labour, this election is not a fight for power. This election is an opportunity to continue to progress,” Walters said and urged party supporters to put on their working shoes and get their water bottles.

“… and according to comrade Saboto Caesar, drink plenty of cocoa tea and eat doughboy,” Walters said, referring to the agriculture minister and South Central Windward MP.

At the beginning of her speech, Walters said she was “overwhelmed”, “overjoyed” and “so happy”.

“My heart is bursting with gratitude; gratitude for you, comrades. I’m so very grateful for the confidence that you have placed in me today… I am thankful for the love you have shown. I am elated that we have all recognised and have chosen this party, the Unity Labour Party, to continue to lead us into the future.”

She said the presence of the crowd — which included party supporters from other constituencies — reassured her that “Labour is very much alive in St. Vincent and the Grenadines…

She thanked constituents saying they have been “my motivation in everything I have done.

“You have supported me; you have encouraged me all the way. And although this was not what I had in mind when I started my career, when you called, I could no longer say next time.

“I love you so much. I love the ULP. I love the ULP because of its policies, its love for people, its delivery. And although they say nuttn nah gwarn up here, I love the ULP because of all that was done in North Windward.

“I love the comrade leader. I love him for his actions, his strength, his vision, his bravery and his courage.  And he back broad. A man who stands up against giants, a man who has given us a chance to showcase that bright people live ah North Windward, too.”

Walters said the “comrade leader”, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves “has broken down those barriers that separated the people of the north from the rest of St Vincent and Grenadine. In our case, literally bridging the gap for all of us”.

She said that people like to ask residents north of the Rabacca Dry River if they are not weary speaking about the Rabacca Bridge — which opened in 2007.

Walters said that while that was not the only thing North Windward residents could speak about, they would not be tired of talking about it.

“If you have never, as a student, had to battle that river to get to and from school, yo nah go understand. If you have never left Georgetown as a teacher, come up here to teach and wonder if you will reach back home to your family, you won’t understand,” Walters said.

“… if you have never been a patient in an ambulance crossing that river on two wheels, while yo nuss (nurse) try fuh hold yo up, mek sure you nah fall ah ground and water nah come in de window, you nah go understand.

“If, in the face of abundance, you are told that it is impossible to build a bridge across the river, you won’t understand. What leader will fail in his responsibility to enhance the lives of all his people? Surely not this one…So yes, we will still talk about it. Don’t let them forget”

Walters said people asked about what was done for North Windward.

“I still can’t understand how anyone can genuinely say that this party has done nothing for North Windward.

“I think they know … but they want us to remain in the box that massa put us in long time ago. They want us to believe that the government, the programmes put in place for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, that this Labour government has put in place for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are not for us.

“They want us to believe that the education revolution is not for us. They want us to believe that the development in the health sector is not for us. They want us to believe that the PRYME is not for us — just to name a few comrades.”

Walters, however, said the ULP has set no boundaries when it comes to opportunities.

“This brilliant team of representatives have levelled the playing field for all Vincentians to become involved and to capitalise on opportunities.”

She said residents of North Windward no longer have to “put an address from down so in order to get a job. 

“We’re getting top jobs. We’re getting all kind of jobs now with our usual address.”

Walters then responded to what she said were comments that she does not live in Sandy Bay.

“It is no secret that I have lived in Kingstown for a number of years. I work in Kingstown. I also lived in Langley Park when I was walking in Georgetown.”

Walters, however, said that she returned to Sandy Bay every weekend to attend church until the volcanic eruptions of April 2021 damaged her church building in Sandy Bay.

“I now go to Owia Church of Christ. I worship there on Sundays,’ Walters said.

“They whisper this because they want you to believe and to instil fear in you that you will not have access to me, that I have abandoned you. Never! Never! My body may reside in Kingstown, but my heart and soul is up here.

“So, tell them, comrades, when they come with that, tell them nice try, but try again. Let them know that you have always had access to me. Have no fear comrades, and don’t let them distract you with them little petty talks. Focus! Focus! Focus!

“We are moving forward with the Unity Labour Party. We are confident that the star will guide us.’”

She said Montgomery Daniel, who is retiring as MP for North Windward after 24 years, has done “ an excellent job.

“… Thank you, sir, for the representation that you’ve given us from day one. Thank you for the bridges, the factories, the schools, the scholarships, the roads. Thank you, comrade, for the personal assistance that you have given different people, including me, sir,” Walters said.