The National Liberation Movement (NLM), a political party launched in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in December says it is “the only alternative” as the country prepares for a general election, widely expected by November, ahead of the February 2026 constitutional deadline.
“We believe that we are the only alternative to the current political impasse in leadership,” the party’s leader, Doris Frederick, formerly Doris Charles, a former diplomat under the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) told a campaign event in Layou.
“Among us, we have so many persons who can stand like a brave with their face to the fore. The NLM is about more equitable management of the resources of this country,” said Frederick, who is the wife of Maxwell Charles, former MP for Central Leeward under the ULP.
“None of you should go to bed wondering where your next meal is coming from. The NLM is committed to reorganising and redistributing the resources of this country that belong to all of us.”
She said she had heard of stories of many persons being denied “a lot of stuff.
“Why? Because they did not wear a red sock or a green socks, or a blue sock. But your vote for the National Liberation Movement, with its symbol of the bicycle, can show that you want the best for you and your families.”
The event on Sunday at the Layou Waterfront heard addresses from the President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union, Oswald Robinson, General Secretary of the Public Service Union, Shelly-Ann Alexander-Ross, and Dr. Trevor Stephen, a psychotherapist from Grenada.
Frederick said she was no stranger to the Central Leeward town.
“You know me. I have walked the streets of Layou and other places. Sometimes, I did so barefoot because I feel the pressure that we are undergoing.”
She noted her Vincentian birth, adding that she is a mother, a Christian, an ordained elder, a certified teacher, and youth worker.
“Somebody mentioned a while ago that I’m a legal professional. There are whole heap of things behind my name. But it is you who sent me to school. And so, I must come back and tell you what I have been taught…
“I say to us this evening, along with me, there are many others, many of them are hiding because they are afraid to stand up and come out in the light.”
Frederick said she did not have a problem with this as she was also in hiding until she found her voice.
“And so, I believe that many of you one day will find your voices, and instead of calling me on the phone, or meeting me in a dark alley or just walking behind me in the street, would come out and say, enough is enough… We need a change.”
She told the public meeting that thousands of people are following her on social media — “thousands of Vincentians with whom I have interacted in the diaspora. They continue to say, ‘Doris, you are doing a good job.’”
Frederick, however, urged her followers “to come out in the open and let’s fight a good fight”.
She said Vincentians are suffering and this is why she founded the NLM in 2022, adding that the march and rally held in Layou would be replicated across the country.
Frederick said the NLM’s tagline is “Together we will”.
“Together, we can rise above the challenges, such that turning our country into a place where doing business will become easier and cost-productive for consumers and entrepreneurs.”
She said SVG is full of untapped potential, adding, “Every able-bodied Vincentian can get a more equitable opportunity and a chance to succeed.”
Frederick asked Vincentians to re-examine why they vote. “We ask of you to re-examine things like the policies on education, the policies on technology, the policies as it relates to every facet of society.”
She said the NLM “will conduct the affairs of a political movement, on liberationist ideology where in a changed mindset will guide a holistic approach towards policies of governance for the people, by the people, where citizens are free of oppressive power relationships so that they can benefit from sustainable and inclusive development”.
The NLM’s core values are “integrity, accountability, loyalty, pragmatism, meritocracy, transparency and equity,” Frederick said, adding that she will explain each of these to the public over the coming months.
“The NLM is well positioned to tackle major concerns like the national debt, unemployment and under-employment, dependency on external aid, our tax system, inefficiencies, the cost of living and inflation, natural disaster preparedness and recovery, poor management of the public sector enterprises, political instability and governance issues, high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, insufficient knowledge of mental health, limited focus on our indigenous heritage, and inadequate public service delivery,” Frederick said.
She said these are “not limiting and limited. There are several other areas, but our focus has to be on something and doing it right. The NLM is committed to bringing change with fresh perspectives and policies that work for all of us”.
Frederick said the NLM is considering affordable health care and health insurance for all.
“… a strong economy led by our farmers, small businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering our young people with opportunities right here at home, support for local farmers with modernised equipment, finding export opportunities and markets for farmers’ produce and creating jobs, more jobs in rural and urban communities.”
She said the party will also improve the education system “to prepare the youth for tomorrow’s workforce.
“We urge you to think about the change mindset. We urge you to think about the fact that social injustice continues in this country, and we must rise up against injustice. It’s the absence of fairness. So, if you are falsely arrested and wrongfully charged and accused, that’s injustice.”.
She spoke about the historical injustice against the indigenous people of SVG, the Garifuna.
“Today, we have heard again about our teachers, our nurses, our police officers and others against and amidst all the instances of what appears now to be injustice when it comes to the legal system, we cry out against that.
“We cry out against an administration that says to our people, if you are not vaccinated, you can’t eat. The NLM will repeal those draconian laws in this country if given a chance. We urge you to come on board with us, for together, we will.
“The NLM continues to promote social justice. Among others, we ask you to work together and continue to do so for transforming lives and to create a more equitable society. I ask the question, can it be done? The answer should be yes, with God’s help and together, we will.
“Let’s commit to help each other, help families, help our communities to overcome the complexities in this, our small island developing state,” Frederick said.
Good to see an alternative to the status quo. She is a good alternative to what we have now. NLM is the voice of our nation crying out to be heard! I like the sound of it!
We are a two-party nation so she and her fellow candidates will all forfeit their deposits in the next election.
The relevance of the NLM headed by Doris Federick Charles must be seen from the perspective if the party can siphon off votes that would have normally have gone to the ULP. It is premature to make that decision. However, the only benefactor would be the NDP. If the party was able to garner let’s say 10% of the registered votes. If not the party will be confines to the dust bowl of history for a lack of relevance.
Central Leeward (CL) is not a marginal constituency by any means. It is regarded as a safe ULP seat as other safe ULP bastion. Time will tell as we are entering uncharted territory in which the citizens are becoming somewhat lethargic with the slogan six in a row. An incumbent party suffers from this phenomenon when one over stays its welcome and will suffer an erosion of support. The victory of one vote Carlos is indeed a weake up call. The ULP has also lost the majority vote in the last election is likely to follow the same trajectory.
Let me ask the prudent reader a rhetorical question. Does the NDP has what it takes to wrestle power from the ULP? I am not quite so sure. There is sufficient anger in North Leeward as a result of the quarry fiasco to turn the tide in NL. The New Supernova in Dr Shallow will be problematic for the ULP.
The other seat that is likely to come into play is North Windward. The ULP is not worried and is loosing no sleep with this constituency. Shevorn John has done an incredible job. The Comrade is confident that Grace will bring the ULP home. The building of low income houses in that constituency with the majority of the voters being transplanted from NCW is sufficient to ensure that Grace will see the ULP home.
Why are you not posting the comments kenton?8