Former prime minister Ralph Gonsalves, whose Unity Labour Party (ULP) was defeated in Thursday’s general election after 25 years in office, says that the party is very much alive and that he will return to Parliament as Leader of the Opposition.
Gonsalves, 79, conceded defeat in an address on Saturday on Star Radio, the ULP’s radio station, but offered no specific congratulations to the new Prime Minister Godwin Friday, or the New Democratic Party (NDP), which won 14 of the 15 seats in the unicameral parliament.
He spoke in ominous terms about the new NDP administration, even as only the prime minister has been sworn in, with the cabinet expected to be sworn in next week.
“Believe me this: at this very height of the NDP is triumphalism, it is the moment of the start of their descent. And descend they will,” Gonsalves said.
“The unravelling usually commences imperceptibly, and then becomes a flood of disarray, as the centre cannot hold and things fall apart. History and experience so teach and in our fast-changing world, the clock of their demise is already ticking,” he told radio and social media audiences.
“I shall with dignity, duty and love, assume the role of leader of the opposition until propitious circumstances determined otherwise,” said Gonsalves, who was opposition leader from 1998 to 2001.
“I have trod this road before. It is not unfamiliar to me. Please be assured that the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid; it is my lot to accept, indeed prefer a strenuous life to one of ignoble ease.
“There remain in me no personal vanities or demons to overcome. I accept, after prayerful consideration that I have been set apart and blessed for a time like this.”
He said he will convene a meeting of the collective leadership of the ULP on Sunday to receive advice on the two individuals to be appointed as senators.
“Clearly, given the lopsided majority of the new regime in the Parliament, we in the opposition will be routinely out-voted, but the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will judge us on the basis of the quality of our work, which I assure you will be of the highest standard and across our country, outside of Parliament, by our works, you will know us even better and more assuredly,” Gonsalves said.
“Labour is very much alive. We shall rendezvous with the electorate formally again in 2030 or before, as the circumstances demand or admit.”
He said the line of march provided by the leadership of the NDP is to, first, to help supporters understand “that our political setback is temporary and must be altered into a permanent advance.
“Thus, let us turn this setback into an advance,” Gonsalves said, adding that there must also be renewal.
“Renewal, rebuilding is sweet. Indeed, it is the sweetest of life’s experiences. And within and outside the labour family, there is abundant material, some even hidden or submerged, which is available for renewal.”
Gonsalves echoed poetry when she said that in renewing, “we must listen to our parents and grandparents, but also to our daughters and our sons.
“The ultimate purpose of this renewal is to make a whole daughter and a whole son and broken — not necessarily perfect — ones out of the compromises and contradictions that our history and circumstances have made us.”
The third element was that the party must “defend resolutely our gains and advance them further”.
The former prime minister also said Labourites must “resist also resolutely in every material particular, any attempt by the new regime to sell out St Vincent and the Grenadines or its patrimony.
“Everyone knows what I’m talking about. There is thus a clear roadmap for us on the way forward. Details will emerge.”
During the election campaign, the ULP has presented some NDP proposals, including the introduction of a citizenship by investment programme, as plans to sell out the country.
The former prime minister congratulated the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including electoral personnel and state institutions, for their continued commitment to popular democracy.
“We in the Unity Labour Party are not among those who always insist that democracy only works when we win and cry foul when we lose,” he said, adding that the party will always accept the will of the people, whether it wins or loses.
“Indeed, our great party has contributed immensely to the building of the democratic institutions that underpin our electoral democracy.”
Gonsalves was the only ULP candidate to win a seat in the election, with the casualties including his son and East St. George incumbent, Camillo Gonsalves, who had been finance minister since 2017.
Another prominent member who was rejected by the electorate was Saboto Caesar, who was seeking a fourth term as MP for South Central Windward.
Caesar and the younger Gonsalves had been identified as future leaders of the party, but the former finance minister in his concession speech, said that the party would have to select a new candidate for East St. George.
Meanwhile, the former prime minister was returned for an eight successive time since for North Central Windward, a seat he has held since February 1994 – 31 years ago.
“I belong to my constituents. We belong to each other. Their trust and confidence in me have endured through all the changing scenes of life and living. The anchor holds. their God is my God. And wherever we go, we know that we go together with God’s grace in profound solidarity and love,” the former head of government said.
‘my head is bloodied, but unbowed’
He thanked the ULP’s “great team of candidates” as well as the party’s activists, organisers and supporters for their “heroic efforts” in the campaign.
“Some of these defeated candidates will no doubt return to the electorate again, but others are unlikely to. Time and circumstances will so determine,” Gonsalves said.
“Even at this difficult time for my country, my party and me, I yet again reaffirm from the depths of my unconquerable soul and the determined spirit of my being, my deep and enduring love for my constituents and All the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
“It is a love that is an ever-fixed mark that looks and tempests and is never shaken. It is a love that brings immense joy, but also occasions pain. The weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Hallelujah for the joy.
“I assure each and every one of you that in the fell clutch of the circumstance of my party’s defeat, I have not winced nor cried aloud under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloodied, but unbowed.”
Gonsalves said faith, history and circumstance have conspired to accord him another role after the near-25 years as prime minister.
Gonsalves said that he cannot and would not proceed alone.
“Across our lands and seas today, the many thousands of the defeated Labour army are in shock and pain,” he said.
“So, too, are the other thousands who opted wrongly, in my view, to stay at home for this or that reason, rather than embrace Labour’s large and compelling vision of owning our future.”
During the campaign, Gonsalves had oscillated between telling supporters not to grumble after the election to pleading with them 36 hours before the ballot to return to the Labour family.
“I truly feel your pain. Still, now is not the time for pity or wallowing in the despond of despair,” he said on Saturday.
“It is no more urgent than ever for all of us, including those who deserted the family of labour, to defend the immense gains which our people have come to know and accept over the past near 25 years of ULP governance and to advance them further.”
Ralph is a wicked man and a sorry losser. Instead of being an example and encourage his supporters to work with the new leader in moving SVG forward, he comes with his wizard ways. Take your loss with humility and go home to enjoy your remaining three years on the land of the living. You had your time. Dr. Friday deserve his chance to prove himself in carrying SVG forward. Vincentians, do not be badminded like Ralph Gonsalves. Pray your new leader up, work together with him and the representatives to build our future. We cannot be divided and expect to stand. Yesterday is gone, so is Ralph. Now is time to join hands and hearts in unity so that we can grow. Ralph Gonsalves, you need to go repent. You do not mean Vincentians well.You are on the highway to hell.
The following comments were made by the leader of the opposition, Ralph Gonsalves. It shows the negative thinking of the man and the only way he can respond in his absolute defeat at the hand of the Honourable Prime Minister, Godwin Friday. Listen by contrast to the statement made by Hon. PM Godwin Friday, being Prime Minister to all people and uplifting all people.
Ralph, please go home and rest your weary self, hand the reins to someone else.
“Believe me this: at this very height of the NDP is triumphalism, it is the moment of the start of their descent. And descend they will,” Gonsalves said.
“The unravelling usually commences imperceptibly, and then becomes a flood of disarray, as the centre cannot hold and things fall apart. History and experience so teach and in our fast-changing world, the clock of their demise is already ticking,” he told radio and social media audiences.
The leader who cannot congratulate his successor in a peacefully free and fair election, is telling us that in his heart he loves his family of supporters more than he loves the citizens of the country.
Whatever happened to the “Together now” and “labour love” philosophies eh?
Alas, there is a thin line between a patriotic political party and a covertly conceited cult.
Hey! No amount of psychological warfare can enslave us anymore.
Like yo still ain’t get?. Wake up yo dreaming.
From the Cornelius John case to the CJ Weekes case and the vaccine mandate case, the pattern of extrajudicial actions by Ralph Gonsalves demands an immediate investigation and full accountability.
A bitter, graceless, vengeful, immature and incontinent man. Like a vampire, he has been sucking the life out of those men who served under him: first, by atrophying their potential through intimidation and micromanagement. Then, by his vulgar and boastful excesses, tainting their opportunities despite their best efforts. If, by now, they cannot work out for themselves that the farthest they move away from this blight, the better it shall be for them, then it’s totally on them. He has nothing left to give; he is a spent force vomiting only green, watery bile.
These abused and battered men all need to ignore his call to regroup.
I trust that the ill-gotten gains he allowed them to stockpile from the people’s purse will last them a long time and not sting their palates.
Ralph, you have lost the confidence of Vincentians and that includes the ULP candidates. Stop bawling and try to work with the NDP to support Vincentians.
You are so right when you point to the difficulty the NDP will face when they examine the cupboard. There is little or no money there and that will create problems.
I hope you are not going to select Camillo as a senator. He did the right thing by moving out of the BABY crib you gave him.
Bravo, well said, my beloved Comrade!
This bunch of NDP misfits serve as a chaotic one-term government.
Don’t forget, Comrade, to ensure that the two shameless Canadian[s] […] are quickly removed from office.
Whatever the drugs are that this man is on is messing with him.. he sound like a disgruntled employee. Anyway this guy is delusional and he gone mad..
C.Ben-David finally demonstrate that he is alive , all your predictions and especially in the town of Layou were misleading. It is time for C.Ben-David to go the same way as the ULP, given that no one takes him seriously . C.Ben-David for the new year reveal your true name before I take that initiative. The town of layou will be proud of you .
Don’t forget, Comrade, to ensure that the two shameless Canadian quislings are quickly removed from office.
Ralph Gonsalves is finished. He is 78 years old and has no future in SVG politics.
Given 14 seats to ONE. The NDP is virtually guaranteed a second term. Maybe even a third term.
Because NDP is unlikely to lose 7 seats at the next election under the leadership of PM Friday.
The old Labour Party as under Vincent Beach must be revived with a new leader elected.
I don’t think the majority of Vincentians want Ralph Gonsalves style of leadership anymore. Vincentians have seen 25 years of what he offered.
The people have spoken. Doesn’t Ralph Gonsalves respect the choice of the people? This man is rotten to the core.
Your dog is dead,just find a nice spot to bury it in Gorse 1 STAR.
Thanks to all ULP supporters who voted for NDP to keep our democracy , you are HEROES , thank you.
Now, I’m completely over Ralph Gonsalves. What he has to say has no importance now.
C.Ben-David David i am going to expose your real name. Shame on you from layou.