Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says the book “New Democratic Party’s Plans for St. Vincent and the Grenadines” that was captured on his desk in a campaign video released by his party on Sunday is a spoof.
“I don’t know who produced this document. All I say, it came to me,” he told journalists in Georgetown on Monday after being nominated for the 11th time as a candidate to represent North Central Windward in a national election.
He raised the issue of the book without being asked by the media, saying it contains six chapters of mostly blank pages.
“So, I’m happy y’all came out to see me getting nominated and give me the opportunity, save me from calling a press conference to deal with this.”
The book came to the public’s attention when it appeared in a campaign video filmed at the Official Residence of the Prime Minister on Sunday during a meeting between Gonsalves and party members and officials, and Jamaican artiste Christopher Martin, who performed at a campaign event Sunday night.
Gonsalves said he received the book that same morning and that it is a work of nonfiction.
“That means it’s not fiction … by Godwin Fryay — not Friday, F-r-y-a-y. So right away, I see somebody spoofing people,” the prime minister said.
“That’s how NDP people could be dotish. They don’t know nothing. They just jump off and go off in the deep end. ‘Godwin Fryay; copyright’.”
Gonsalves quoted the book as saying, “I present this document in sound mind, my fellow Vincentians, to bring you our many and vast ideas”.
He said Fryay’s address is listed as “Advantage Street, Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, www.sellpassports.com”.
“These are the ideas I’m supposed to be stealing,” Gonsalves said.
“‘Chapter One. Selling Passport: When identity becomes currency. The market never sleeps. Citizenship for sale. No discount codes needed’,” the prime minister said
He said the chapter is made up of “a whole set of blank pages. Those are the NDP ideas — blank pages; their vast ideas”.
Gonsalves said Chapter 2 of the book is about “Citizenship by investment”.
“Some call it opportunity. Others call it outsourcing the nation. Either way, the passports keep moving faster than ideas of national development,” he read, commenting, “These are all their ideas — blank pages.”
He said Chapter 3 says “Voting for the NDP is like buying Mystery Box on clearance:
you’re told there’s a treasure inside, but the last time someone opened one, it was just a passport application form and a receipt marked ‘Sold As Is, No Refunds’. They promise change, but usually it’s the kind that jingles in your pocket — never quite enough to buy bread.
“Still, every election season, they roll out with glowing speeches, ancient keys of wisdom and the kind of magical promises that could make even a sceptical voter wonder if, this time, maybe, just maybe, the mystery box will actually contain gold.”
He said that chapter is also followed by blank pages.
Chapter 4, he said, is about selling passports and says, “When identity becomes currency, the market never sleeps. Citizenship for sale, no discount codes needed.’
“More vast and many ideas. You see them, you see them,” Gonsalves said as he turned blank pages.
Chapter 5 is titled “For A Chance” and says, “Hope is free, but it often comes wrapped in glossy promises. Take your chance. The price is always negotiable.”
He said that the chapter is followed by blank pages.
Gonsalves said he likes chapter 6 of the book. “‘We have the key. We don’t even know where the door is, but at least the key is in our hands’,” Gonsalves read and laughed.
“This is a great book which De Comrade is supposed to be copying ideas. You hear me? You notice how dotsih they be. Any day ah de week, they could be running down a rabbit hole. Any day of the week, I could run them down a rabbit hole.”
Gonsalves said that the presence of the book at his official residence had been mentioned in an online publication.
“… they have a story in one of the NDP online publications. You know, they have some fellas who say they’re independent, but they’re really NDP biased. And that’s putting it gently,” Gonsalves said.
“There’s a story that how Ralph say he don’t pay attention to NDP plans. Of course, I have to pay attention to NDP plans, because I’ve been to know the rubbish they’re talking
“… and the online publication went on, and I understand the radio, NDP radio this morning, all of them,” Gonsalves said.
On Monday, iWitness News published an opinion piece by someone writing under a pseudonym who asked questions about what Gonsalves was doing with the book.
Gonsalves,79, is leading the Unity Labour Party in its bid for a sixth consecutive five-year term in office in the general election on Nov. 17.
Seems like he was looking for the key to implementing the plans he stole and all he found was “blank pages”
Losing his mind again, as expected at this ripe old age, and the rejection he still feels from Dr. Shallow, who he begged not to join the better team, he now has all his vision and headaches coming from CBI… Poor old man needing a rest .. where are all the ULP glowing policies? You are so bright, yet you cannot put forward one futuristic idea or plan. To make matters worst the ULP cannot run on a meaningful track record after 25 years in power. CHANGE IS COMING, the hook is now in your gill !!
Ralph just scared, because he realizes the NDP coming stronger than the ULP with supporters. I bet when the ULP loses the election, he going to resigned? Watch and see and I said first.
Ah so he lie!