Central Leeward MP Orando Brewster on Sunday expressed confidence that he would be re-elected in the next general elections to a second five-year term in office.
Brewster, who defeated the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Ben Exeter by 503 votes in the 2020 polls, will face Conroy “Mix” Huggins in elections widely expected later this year.
“Central Leeward, in the 2020 election, we sent a man from Canada packing. And in 2025, Orando “Randy” Brewster is not playing any cricket and any singles. This Unity Labour Party and Central Leeward will come home again for Labour,” Brewster said at the rally in Rabacca to celebrate 24 years of the ULP in office.
“They have somebody down there they call Mix. But I have two words: it licks and this time we hitting him for six. Central Leeward, we not playing around this time; we have come too far to turn back now.”
Brewster told Labourites that they were gathered at Rabacca “celebrating excellent governance for the past 24 years.
“Comrades, we have in our midst in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, one of the best leaders across the region by the name of Comrade Ralph E Gonsalves,” he said, referring to the prime minister.
He said that when the ULP came to office in 2001, “this country was in shambles.
“Healthcare was in a mess. Housing was non-existent, agriculture was dying and this Unity Labour Party, under the stellar leadership of Comrade Ralph Gonsalves, has transformed this country, from as far south as Union to as far north as Fancy.”
Brewster’s comments about agriculture came shortly after Agriculture Minister, Saboto Caesar announced that starting this week, “we’re going to work on reopening these buying depots so they could go and they could sell your produce”.
Brewster said the question is “very simple: Do we go backwards or do we go forward?”
He said he remembers as a young man “under the previous government, it was turmoil, it was hardship.
“Young people of this country, there were no opportunities for you,” he said and urged the young people to listen to him as the country moves toward elections.
“… this is an important election. This election is not about Ralph. It’s not about Sabby (Saboto Caesar). It’s not about Randy or Camilo (Gonsalves) or Jimmy (Prince). This election is about our country, St. Vincent and the candidates,” the Central Leeward MP said.
Brewster said SVG “has seen an upward trajectory.
“Our economic growth over the past couple of years has been more than significant. We have a hard-working Minister of Finance in Camilo Gonsalves, a hard-working Minister of Agriculture in Saboto Caesar, a hard worker in the Ministry of Housing, yours truly.”
Brewster said the ULP stands by its promises.
“If this unity Labour Party says to you that we are going to take care of you after a natural disaster, you can put your pot on the fire and know that this government, this party, will take care of you.”
He said there was a time in SVG that people did not have access to pipe-borne water.
“There was once a time in this country that only the rich family and the so-called surname could have gone off to study.
“Comrade, there was a time in this country when victimisation was at its highest. This unity Labour Party … it is not a perfect party, and I speak from my heart, it is not a perfect party. But if it’s one thing I can tell you is that this party is full of love. We love our people. We go above and beyond for our comrades and friends.”
He said there have been dangers, toils and snares over the past 24 years.
“… but we have a good captain, and he is surrounded by good crewmen. And you know that this ship of states has been moving forward all the time. We cannot make a mistake. We cannot make a mistake and turn back the hands of time,” Brewster said.
He told the nation’s youth that they are living at a time when there are “opportunities galore. We have crossed some bridges thus far, but there are many more bridges to cross.”
Brewster said there are more houses to be built.
“There are still more work that we have to do in all of the different sectors. But I will tell you this, this Unity Labour Party, we have … a track record of excellent governance throughout the past 24 years, and every one of the members on our team, we gave you our very best.”
He said there is “an important exam” where the ULP will vie for the sixth consecutive term.
“And we cannot do it by ourselves. We need you, our comrades of labour. So I want you, whenever the bell is rung, to go out in your numbers,” Brewster said.
“I told them some time ago, do not wake up the labour army. Once we are awakened, they cannot stop us. Comrades, our Labour Party is a family, and you must stay in touch with your family. You cannot leave your family behind. So, this year, when the comrade leader said, we are going to the polls, I want every constituency in this country to vote overwhelmingly for Labour,” Brewster said.
Brewster is taking rubbish when he claims that in 2001 the island was in shambles. The island has been in shambles since the ULP came on board and it is still in shambles today.
Julian and Ralph claimed that agriculture is dead and removed Saboto from Tourism that they are now claiming to be the “bread and butter for Vincentians, which is not true. Saboto was placed in a dead-end ministry where he has been making promises that he cannot fulfill. Very few people are making money from tourism. And the folks who are making the money would not build washrooms for tourists who have to use private people’s washroom or the bush to relieve themselves.
I was recently told that carrots are being imported from Canada which shows something terrible wrong with agriculture in SVG. We can grow almost anything and I mean anything in SVG. Saboto also promised to get farmers to grow what we call “Irish potato” in SVG and since I’ve been here I haven’t seen any in the market in great numbers. He also promised to get youths involved in agriculture and we are yet to see any action on this issue.
Many young folks have cars with speaker blasting loud music day and night which is ridiculous and needs some action to stop the disturbance after 8:00 pm. Why am I hearing these loud blasts at 9 or 10 pm when I am trying to get some sleep? These same vehicles can be used in place on the donkey many farmers used to get to their farm to grow the food we eat and raise the animals we use in our food. Today there nothing in the mountains but bush and more bush.
I have no problem with the youths having a vehicle which can enable them to get involved in farming so we can have something to export when the new port is completed. Right now it’s all about import with nothing to export, which makes me believe it’s all about businesses importing even food products and other items that can be produced and grown in SVG.
Then there are the roads with pot-holes everywhere and anywhere. The roads are in shambles throughout the entire island. This is causing damage to cars and the tires. Now the banana police are inspecting tires. Give me a break! I asked the Layou police to request a 30 MPH speed limit for vehicles travelling through Layou where many drives are using the waterfront as an airport runway travelling at 70 to 90 MPH through the town.
Back to Brewster: You have done nothing for your constituency. Folks have to travel to Kingstown to purchase fish. Fishing and farming were economic entities that gave Layou people the opportunity to be independent of government handouts. Not anymore! Many of the fishermen operating the seines have given up trying to catch fish. Then there is healthcare that you mentioned. Have you take a closer look at the older women and some young women whose looking terrible with some big buttocks. It’s terrible uncomfortable travelling in the vans with these folks. Does this have to do with the food they eat?
Nothing you have said about your constituency is true and because you have not delivered you may not win a second term
It will be foolish to entertain dictatorship in St vincent. Do ee know the state of the books since 2001? We love tbe ULP but we must love the Comrade who will be an octogenarian to retire in peace and say vehemently no to six in a row. Six in a row is a recipe for dictatorship.
Opportunites for the youth to sit on the blocks, smoke what ever and drink strong rum? boy ar yo really shameless. It is written, for those that go down to hell will be numberless as the sand on the seashore., .
and people want to know wha t are de reasons why ar yo have intetest in de guesthouse hamo fo 1-2 yrs ?? what r de intentions?? we listening.
It’s my opinion dat If ar yo bin decent with good moral and Intergrity ar. yo would not associate wid the sex cult party. the disgraceful bunch, shameee
Y Brewster so lie and saying he preaching ah church.i born in the 80s and I come and meet proper water and light system Mr Herbie young implement stand pipe in every area in Barrouallie when Mr straker win he removed everyone from Barrouallie and leave all in layou.is ulp who take away good agricultural land in central leeward and put jail and landfill so after 24 years they still talking about agriculture and need to reform talking about housing we na live in caves when ulp comes in office 2001 central leeward already have proper and decent house ppl lives in but but ulp carried we bck in poverty for the 24 years of their reigns in office. Any person poor and rich go to university to study under ndp including sabotto ceasar who have a scholarship under the ndp to study no sense to run an election on lies and lies and Brewster born and meet lights and water to his advantage. Yes it might have ppl who didn’t have water and light under ndp due to circumstances but it still have ppl under ulp who don’t have drinking water nor lights for 24 years and is due to circumstances as well
Yes , licks fo Mix , is that de reason why Hamilton guest 🏡 is of interest ?? asking fo a friend . It’s written , what’s in darkness must come to light, and what’s hidden must be exposed.