East Kingstown MP Fitz Bramble kicked off his re-election campaign on Monday in Walvaroo, Sion Hill, saying he has been giving his “best shot” at keeping his promise to former MP, Arnhim Eustace to represent constituents well.
Bramble noted that Eustace — a former president of the New Democratic Party (NDP) — delivered his penultimate speech before the 2020 election in Walvaroo, where Monday’s village meeting was held.
“The last one was the big meeting we had up on top Sion Hill … and I recall quite vividly he admonished me, he warned me, and he said to me, ‘Make sure you take care of the people of East Kingstown.’
“And I promised him and committed to him that that is what I will do, and since then, I have been giving it my best shot,” Bramble said.
“I fall short sometimes. I can tell you that. But I will tell you that the love and the care and the attention and the support and the encouragement and the motivation and the inspiration that I get from you, the people of East Kingstown, particularly the people from Walvaroo, I cannot stop.
“Even if I want to stop, your energy just keeps me going. And for that, I am eternally grateful.”
East Kingstown has been represented by the NDP since it became a constituency in 1984.
Bramble will make a bid for a second consecutive five-year term in the general election, widely expected by November, ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.
He told constituents that their support for the NDP will be rewarded even more after the next polls.
“… it’s being rewarded now with the effort that I’m putting out. But I can tell you, it’s not easy.
“There’s a lot more to be done. As an opposition MP, the challenges are Herculean, but we rise to the challenges, and I consider this as preparation and chastening…
“And I am saying to you, my representation to you in opposition is preparation for me when we get into government. And you better believe it. If you think you’re getting good representation now, wait until I have access to money and resources.
“You go see. You will see the difference because the New Democratic Party has had the distinct honour of being the representative of the constituency of East Kingstown for 40 consecutive years since 1984 …”
Bramble said that East Kingstown had results for the first 15 of the 40 years that the NDP has been representing the district.
He was referring to 1984 to 2001 when the NDP administration was in office.
“You could have seen tangible benefits from effective and proper representation. Now in East Kingstown, in Walvaroo in particular, what we have is a constituency and a community that is falling apart, literally falling apart.”
Bramble, a former national footballer, said East Kingstown is known for its community spirit, adding that sports and culture are distinct characteristics of the constituency.
He said Walvaroo has produced national cricketers, footballers, netballers, and athletes, adding that the opportunities that were afforded young athletes from the area are no more.
“And it’s very disheartening and heartbreaking to see our young people yearning … for that opportunity, just for that drop of water on their dry mouths to show you how far they can go.
“And I am telling you, and I am guaranteeing you tonight that the New Democratic Party, with Fitz Bramble as the representative for East Kingstown, in government, will change all of that.
“Young people, you can look forward with hope to a brighter future when the New Democratic Party forms government.
He said that in the lead-up to the 2020 polls, the government went “fast, fast” and paved the Sion Hill Hardcourt, saying they were doing it for the young people and asking for their vote.
“It wasn’t even six months after that, the whole surface start to shell off.”
Bramble said that the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra’s panyard is located in that facility.
“When Beryl passed, eight months ago, the galvanized roof by the pavilion blew off… Not a single thing has been done to fix that problem,” he said, adding that the steelpans are beginning to rust.
Bramble urged constituents to register and vote against the government in the upcoming election.
“It doesn’t make sense you come and you cuss and you complain and you carry on. Don’t complain. Vote. Don’t cuss. Vote. Don’t get vexed with Bramble. Vote. That is the only way we going to change the trajectory and change the circumstances and conditions of our community and our constituency,” he said.
He urged young people, particularly the ones who are going to be voting for the first time, to turn out to the polls.
“Do not be fooled into thinking that your vote doesn’t count. Do not be fooled into thinking that ‘Well, me nah dey in de politics thing.’ Well, if you nah dey in de politics thing, de politics thing ah go dey in you. So, make sure you go out and vote,” Bramble said.
He elaborated on the NDP’s plan to make constituents’ lives “improve immediately when we take office”.