I look around and see so many things going wrong in this country and wonder where the opposition is. They have remained too silent on too many issues. On some level, I get it. I understand that it takes a kind of stamina to keep continually banging on a wall that seems unmovable. However, over decades, a drop of water can drill a hole in a mountain, and they have had decades.
By no means am I ignorant to the systematic dismantling of any opposition in SVG. The trade unions have been handcuffed, their silence bought and paid for. The masses have been re-trained, sorry, re-skilled to expect handouts. An innocent cultural practice of “pull string” needed in a post-emancipation society to level the playing field between colour and class, has now been repurposed to fully “pulling rope”. Make no mistake, we Vincentians all know of too many persons who are square pegs in round holes and whose entire job description seem to be in enacting the unscripted will of a party instead of national development.
Driving past the tarmac at Arnos Vale the other day, I saw the construction of a hospital. That is commendable. What grieved me was the knowledge that this is being done in the middle of a floodplain. Where is the environmental impact study? Just as important, if one was done, why is it not available for public viewing? Why was the initial funder dropped like a hot breadfruit after asking for more robust standards? Where is the opposition in all of this?
For carnival, the wharf was the site of more than one activity. That was lovely. From that vantage point, I could see the new wharf under construction. What is going on with the repair work? Why was the option to repair and expand the existing wharfs not taken? Where is the opposition in all of this?
Sandals is touted as the saviour of Vincentian tourism, in practice, if not in name. They have re-energised the industry with the number of guests coming to the island. Why is it that they had their own carnival celebration for their guests instead of facilitating the participation of said guests in the local festivities? Where is the opposition in all of this?
I understand the appeal of the ULP and Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves to many. I get the impression that the ULP is perceived as being of the ghetto — not in a bad way. They have proverbially pulled out their earrings, backed their shirts and pulled off their wigs, ready to get down and dirty in a mud pit to fight. Whether they are fighting for the people is a different question, but there is no doubt that they are ready to rumble. The NDP, on the other hand, conveys the impression of being a bit “stoosh”. While willing to fight, they are only just rolling up their collective sleeves and tightening their belts.
Mind you, this is just my impression. We all know that appearances can be deceiving. It is often the man who has nothing left to lose, who is the most unassuming, that can throw down. Locally, we say, it is the skinny men who are the strongest. While we all wait and hope for this upset, I for one would like to see more from the opposition. It is true that the prevailing thought is that everyone already knows who they would be voting for. Still, this Vincentian is wanting the NDP, the trade unions — anyone, to stand up and speak out for me, like a primary school child being bullied at school waiting for his bigger brother to show up and show out for me. We are being bullied. Come on, Opposition, where are you?
Bullied
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Here is a total lack of Opposition perspective while you repeatedly ask, “Where is the opposition?” but don’t explore possible reasons for their silence or offer a deeper dive into their constraints.
While you mention environmental studies and funding rejections, sourcing documents or statements even if scarce would bolster credibility. Are there any opposition statements you could reference, even if weak?
You critique the NDP’s “stoosh” image but don’t analyze systemic barriers like media access, voter suppression and the ULP’s political machinery. Is it just about “rolling up sleeves,” or are there deeper forces at play here?
Beyond demanding opposition visibility, what specific actions should they take? Protests? Legal challenges? Grassroots organizing? Readers want a pathway forward, not just frustration.
The shift from fiery critique like “systematic dismantling” to folksy analogies like “skinny men” works stylistically but confuses the argument’s urgency.
Please go back to your drawing board and come again.
The question should not be where is the opposition! It should be where are our country men and women. The longer we sit and do nothing for ourselves is the harder it becomes to fight for our selves. The vincentian people are sleeping and it’s high time we wake up. When the ulp see we always turn to the opposition to fight our fight that’s how they know they have control of us. If the government has no on to answer to, who will keep them honest? Wake up sleeping children and take your place!
The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines should not be compared to “a primary school child” waiting on the opposition to “show up and show out”. They are NOT helpless, in fact they hold more power than both the government and the opposition because it is the people who have control over who governs the country. Vincentians have chosen to reelect this government in 5 straight elections all while witnessing everything that was mentioned here and more. Why would a nation have the means and the ability to change their situation and sit and wait on the opposition to do anything about it. Exercise your power and remove them if you are unhappy.
The simple reason for an NDP that is chronically missing in action is that their lazy and feckless elected representatives have not a clue about how to increase our national prosperity, raise the earning levels of our working people, lower our unemployment level, especially among young people, increase the learning outcomes of our students, decrease our budget deficits, lower our national debt level, decrease our crime rates, especially our sky high annual murder numbers, and slow down the migration of our best and brightest citizens.
Their single policy is to sell our birthright to sketchy foreigners if and when they gain power, a foolish plan that would quickly turn us into a Haiti-style hellhole governed by armed drug-peddling militias.