The politics of scraps and starvation

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) has held on to governance of the country for over two decades. For many citizens, this prolonged governance has not translated into sustained, holistic development or equitable access to resources. Instead, it has fostered a political culture where deprivation is normalised and minimal gains are celebrated as triumphs. Moreover, it has led to a culture of dependency, a form of mental and economic enslavement centuries after physical slavery was abolition. 

The psychological and socio-political implications of such governance that expects citizens to embrace leadership after enduring systemic neglect must be explored. For starters, for 24.5 years, the development of this country has been primarily measured in cement and lumber. First-world countries have long understood that there can be no development without a focus on improving the quality of life of citizens. This goes beyond half-hearted projects thrown the way of citizens to appease the locals and check boxes for the international world. 

The phrase “starvation for 24.5 years” is not merely rhetorical. It encapsulates a lived experience of economic stagnation, limited opportunities, and civic alienation.

During this period, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has seen the following:

·      Infrastructural development lagging behind regional counterparts

·      High youth unemployment, with few sustainable job creation initiatives

·      Public services, including healthcare and education, suffering from underinvestment

·      Political dissent often met with marginalisation or ridicule

·      A system of “pull-string” for promotions and opportunities instead of meritocracy 

In recent years, the ULP has introduced initiatives that, while beneficial, are perceived as “scraps” — small-scale projects or symbolic gestures that do not address the root causes of systemic inequality. These include:

·      One-off grants without long-term economic planning (PRYME)

·      Infrastructure upgrades that serve limited constituencies and which possess no long-term plan for sustainability or maintenance (multiple buildings)

·      Public events or celebrations that mask deeper governance failures (Emancipation Cricket Festival)

These actions often come with an implicit expectation that citizens should express gratitude, loyalty, or silence in return. This dynamic fosters a transactional relationship between government and governed, undermining the principles of participatory democracy. This has basically turned the population into purveyors of the world’s oldest profession and the government into the clients.

The expectation to “embrace them because of scraps” reflects a psychological manipulation common in postcolonial societies. It suggests that citizens should be thankful for minimal progress, regardless of historical neglect; critique is framed as ingratitude or betrayal; political loyalty is earned not through vision or transformation, but through survival.

This mindset erodes civic confidence and discourages meaningful engagement with governance structures. To move beyond this cycle, citizens and civil society must:

·      Reclaim their power as the electorate and “bosses” of government

·      Educate themselves on their role and value as human beings and Vincentians

·      demand accountability and transparency in governance

·      Reject the normalisation of deprivation as a political strategy

·      Cultivate alternative leadership models rooted in equity, inclusion, and long-term planning.

The critique of the ULP’s governance is not a rejection of progress, but a call for proportionality, justice, and dignity. After 24.5 years of starvation, citizens deserve more than scraps; they deserve a governance model that nourishes, empowers, and respects their full humanity. Embracing leadership should be a choice born of trust and transformation, not a coerced response to survival tactics.

It is time for us to want better and understand that we deserve better.

S. Smith

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