The Grenadian MP representing that country’s Grenadine islands has endorsed Chevonne Stewart, the Southern Grenadines candidate of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Stewart, the chief radiologist, has been transferred to the Ministry of Health as she makes her first attempt to win the Southern Grenadines, which the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) has been representing since the seat was created in 1989.
On Wednesday, Tevin Andrews, MP and minister responsible for the affairs of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, endorsed Stewart at ULP campaign events in Mayreau and Union Island.
“I have absolutely no doubt, based on what I’m seeing here today and what I have observed on social media and the short time I’ve spent on Union Island, that Chevonne will be your next Member of Parliament,” Andrews said in Mayreau.
“Chevonne is approachable. She’s trustworthy. She is hard-working, and she’s dedicated to get the job done for the Southern Grenadines.”
Andrews told residents of the island that Steward would be an MP of whom they would be proud.
He noted that the Southern Grenadines, as well as Carriacou and Petite Martinique, were devastated by Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.
“So, I understand the pain. I understand your struggle. As Member of Parliament for Petite Martinique and Carriacou, I spent night and day with the people, representing them, and holding their hands as I should as a Member of Parliament, because they, the people, supported me to get there so that I can represent them, so that I can be their voice.
“And I say to you, had it been Chevonne, she would have been standing side by side with you, and even though she’s not your elected representative, she has been standing by your side. That is the sort of representation that you need.”
Meanwhile, speaking in Union Island, Andrews said he has roots on the island, as his great-grandmother, Elvira Adams, was a Unionite.
“… Chevonne needs our help to become your next representative; she deserves it. She’s working for it, and she has stood by your side through thick and thin. And those are the type of qualities that you need in a representative,” Andrews said.
He said he knows the challenge the government is facing in dealing with the devastation that the hurricane caused.
“But I must say that I’m extremely impressed with the level of rebuilding here in the Southern Grenadines. And I want you to give an extra round of applause to Chevonne and her team, who have been leading the restoration efforts here. Labour is indeed working for you,” Andrews said.
As he said in Mayreau, Andrews told the people at the Union Island meeting that elections have consequences.
“So, you have to be careful what you do on the day of the election and who you put to represent you. In Chevonne, you have good quality representation. You have a leader that will stand with you, that will fight for you, and that will represent you through thick and thin,” he said.
Andrews lauded Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ leadership.
“I’ve only suffered Hurricane Beryl, and it has been a very stressful and painful experience as we rebuild and recover.
“Your prime minister, the six-term general to be, has faced several disasters — floods, storms, hurricanes, volcano. Through it all, Labour has lifted St Vincent and the Grenadines to higher heights,” Andrews said.
“He is simply the best. Labour is simple, simply the best; better than all and any of them, and you better believe that.”
Andrews urged constituents to “pay attention to their actions”.
“You know who’ve been with you during the hard times and the rough times, who’ve showed up at your door, knocking on your door after Beryl. They are now here knocking on your door for the election, you know where to put your ‘x’ when that time comes, my friends,” Andrews said.
Stewarts is facing off with the NDP’s Terrance Ollivierre, who has been representing the Southern Grenadines since 2001.
In 2020, Ollivierre secured a fifth consecutive five-year term by a margin of 587 votes, up from 412 in 2015 and 472 in 2020, even as he secured the same number of votes — 1,120 — in 2010 and 2015.
I know Union Island and the people fairly fell. They don’t think Gonsalves has been a great leader for the Southern Grenadines. He doesn’t even know much about their issues.
I believe they will vote as they normally do. Whoever is the ULP candidate. Moreover, I think the people of the Southern Grenadines know best who to vote for.
They don’t need any advice from this Grenadian MP.
See this is the kind of faeces that gets defecated when persons have no moral compass guiding them.
How could Chevonne, who was virtually an unknown to the Vincentians populace less than 5 months ago, could have been with the people of the Southern Grenadines through thick and thin? IDIOT!
If this Grenadian was truly smart, he would concentrate his energies on positive things such as ensuring that the strength of the EC dollar is maintained, which can be achieved by a party with similar ideas to that of his own; like CBI and Agriculture.
Please Mr, stay in Grenada and stop talking shit!