Who will remain to see a different SVG?
English poet Geoffrey Chaucer once wrote: “Time and Tide wait for no man”.
Recently, the NDP held a political rally in Kingstown Park. While addressing the audience, the MP for the area, Major St. Clair Leacock, got emotional as he spoke. He was reflecting on the political journey and those who had been part of that journey but are no longer here. That’s those who have departed along the way. It was a sobering moment. Perhaps it’s cause for broader reflection.
I recently had the privilege of perusing and analysing some data shared by an associate. It made me also reflect and ask: who will remain to see a different SVG when that time comes?
The numbers that I’ve seen are as of the end of 2024. They suggest that over 4,100 registered voters have departed since the last election. That’s people who were registered voters for the 2020 election but are now no more. I suppose MP Leacock has a right to feel emotional. After all, at the level of the constituency, Central Kingstown is the second highest on the list with 324. East St. George is ahead with 349. In the four years since the last election in 2020, these two constituencies combined have essentially lost 673 registered voters. They are no longer with us.
Interestingly, while Central Leeward is ninth on the list at the constituency level with 275, Barrouallie (including Keartons Village) ties with Arnos Vale (immediate surrounding areas) at 156, for the highest among villages. (In fact, there are nine funerals waiting to take place in Barrouallie at the time of publication.) Sharpes in Central Kingstown follows with 102, then Richland Park at 101.
Again, when we combine all the numbers for all constituencies, we’re just over 4,100 people who were registered voters for the 2020 election but are no longer with us.
Who will remain to see different SVG when that time comes? Maybe if there is ever a chance for those who remain to see a different SVG, that time is now. “Time and Tide wait for no man”.
Observer
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