By Kenton X. Chance
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC) — Godwin Elliot Loraine Friday was sworn into office as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) fifth prime minister since the country attained independence in 1979, promising to carry out his duty “for all the people of this country”.
Friday, 66, was sworn into office on Friday evening, by Governor General, Dame Susan Dougan, less than 24 hours after he led his New Democratic Party (NDP) to a 14-1 victory at the polls on Thursday and in the process ousted Ralph Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP), which was seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office after first being elected in 2001.
“It is my duty to do what I can to uplift living standards, moral values, hopes and expectations of our people, to enable each and everyone to dream and aspire to a better life in this country, and to not be prevented or obstructed from doing so by partisan politics, by unnecessary interference,” Prime Minister Friday said.
He said this policy is necessary so that the entire population “may be able to achieve their very best for themselves, their family and for our country, for that is the only way that we are going to go forward”.
Friday thanked God “for the strength and courage that he has instilled within me and for answering my prayers when there were times — and there will be times — when the challenge seemed too great.
“I always remember that in such times and in others, when we have joy and pleasure, that we take it to the Lord in prayer. I intend to do so as prime minister as well,” he said, adding as the country goes forward, “we have to embrace one another as fellow Vincentians.
“We are a country of less than 110,000 people. I consider that precious, not small. And so, we have to pool our resources, our intellect, all that we have to ensure, not just for us as individuals and our own families, but for those around us, that we can uplift one another.
“It does us no good as a people, for some to be thriving while others are struggling, and to pass it off as somehow just fate. We can do something about it to ensure that we all do better.”
Friday said he intends “to call upon that spirit within our people, because I know it exists, it resides there, so that we can all work for the common good and to make this place the truly blessed land that it is”.
The new prime minister, who is also an attorney, said that he knows that the challenges facing his new administration will be great, having spoken about them during the campaign for the Nov. 27 general election.
“We have put forward plans to deal with the most serious ones. I understand the challenges of office and the changes that take place from time to time, but we will remain adaptable, open ears to those who have solutions that might be better than the ones that we have put forward and to listen and to embrace because ultimately, what I want to do is to succeed, not just for myself and for my colleagues, but most importantly, for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
He thanked his wife, Ave Friday, saying that while she is “small in stature, but I tell you, a tower of strength”, adding that their sons, Nicholas and Christian, “have been there, offering critical advice when necessary, but always believing in their father and always wishing to see me succeed.
“I’m going to rely on them more as we go forward,” he said, thanking also his colleagues, noting that some of whom have been together for many years.
“… we have done our duty in the best way we saw fit. The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I believe, appreciated the service that we provided in opposition, and have come to the point now where they have said, ‘We would like you to try a different office, where we can be more instrumental in bringing the changes that we have advocated for in opposition.
“I relish that opportunity, and my colleagues, I know, they can’t wait to get started.”
Friday also thanked the people of the country “for the tremendous confidence that you have placed in us with such a resounding victory … at the polls.
“It signalled to me that the people are ready for change that makes a difference in their lives, not incremental but major changes, transformational changes,” he said, adding that NDP campaigned on this “and we intend to work with every sinew in our body to make that happen.
“We can’t do it by ourselves, not myself and all my colleagues in the cabinet. We must rely on all of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and I know that from my conversations going around all over the country that people are willing and ready to do so, once the leadership is there to invite their participation, to welcome and to value their contribution.
“I intend to do that, and I think that, in itself, will generate tremendous benefit to the people of this country.”
Friday said that the new cabinet will be announced next week, adding “I want us all, during the time, before we get to that point, to consider individually, how we can also contribute more in our communities, in the places where we work, giving each other the benefit of the doubt; always lending a helping hand, rather than trying to take an advantage.
“It works better that way. It generates better results that way. We know it. So we just simply have to embrace it and do it. And I urge you to do so.
“And of course, next week, my cabinet colleagues will join me, and we set fully to work implementing what we have set out to the people of this country and more.
“We ask you to be willing partners in this. And I believe that there are brighter days ahead for this country. I say it in the campaign, and I say it again: there’s a new dawn happening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the people said that loud and clear.
“And it is one that will usher in greater prosperity, peace and security in our communities, hope and expectations in our young people, that they can have fulfilling lives here, a society that cares for the vulnerable, that values every child, every human being and at the same time recognising our limitations.
Friday said, “we know that we are a poor country, but we can do a lot more with what we have than we are doing currently, and I urge us all to work to that end”.
Former opposition leader, Arnhim Eustace, 81, who led the NDP from October 2000 to November 2016, when he was succeeded by Friday, was among those attending the swearing-in ceremony.
“Mr. Eustace, we finally — we made it, and I thank you so much for the example that you set for us in opposition, and when you were the leader of our great party,” Friday said to Eustace, who served as prime minister from October 2000 to March 28, 2001 and used a wheelchair at the ceremony.
‘the people have now rewarded you’
Earlier, the Governor General in congratulating Friday on his victory, noted, “you have been a leader of the opposition for many years, and the people have now rewarded you for your many years as an opposition leader.
“They have shown that they have confidence in you,” she said, adding, “today, I am saying to you the same thing that I said to the former prime minister in 2020: you are the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. You are going to be here for all Vincentians. Let us have an inclusive society and a progressive agenda.
“I wish you abundant success. And I pray that God will help you to manage St. Vincent and the Grenadines, this nation, in turbulent times because the world out there is very turbulent and you will need all the support you can get from other members of the party, from the general public and from all well-wishes. So, congratulation!” the head of state said.
Dame Susan also thanked Gonsalves, “for his outstanding contribution for the last 25 years”.
Gonsalves, who was prime minister from March 2001, was the only member of the incumbent ULP to win a seat in the new Parliament.
“Twenty-five years as prime minister is a very long time, and I am sure there has been a lot done in that period, and we’re hoping that we can build on some of those areas, some of the strengths that would have been put in place as a foundation,” she said of the former head of government, who has been representing North Central Windward since 1994.
In little SVG, the more things change, the more they stay the same (Ecclesiastes 1:2-11).
This is because our fundamental limitations, namely small size, inadequate human and natural resources, dysfunctional family life, declining educational standards, increased moral turpitude, selfishness, and many other negative features can never be overcome by a trivial change in political leadership.
I see a contradiction here! How could Dr Godwin Friday call SVG a poor country and SVG is the land of the blessed? He needs to change his perception of the country if he is going to succeed.
First thing Dr Friday need to do is to renew the minds of the Vincentian people. If people live in poverty for a long time, you can’t just give them a million dollars. They won’t know how to manage it. So a renewed mind must be in place so they can see themselves wealthy and healthy and they will take measures to stay that way. I’m from Colonarie Village for over 60 years and I know something about poverty. But today, I’ve renewed my mind and I’m probably the only one from SVG that is wealthy, according to what Dr Friday said.
Show a little respect; it’s Dr Godwin Elliot Loraine Friday.
Often times I wish our people’s lives didn’t have to be so politically entwined and our very survival wasn’t dependent on our relationship with whichever party is in power.
After every regime change we think for some reason, that our lives are gonna change and improve,only to be let down. These defeated ULP candidates and the victorious NDP candidates are from the same communities with the same upbringing,background and education,culture etc. With this in mind,it’s very likely that the same things be it victimisation,nepotism,corruption,could and would eventually be a part of the political landscape.Know a lot of people would come at me making such statements, but, please prove my statement wrong with evidence dating back to 1979, that there hasn’t been abuse of power by both political parties in SVG over the yrs.
I say this to say ,as a people, we get who/what we deserve,nothing more,nothing less.The change we so long for,here in SVG doesn’t begin with the politicians,it begins with us,the people ,who elect these politicians ,who are in most ways,a reflection of us, the electorate.My conclusion:the more things change ,the more they remain the same.Don’t hold your breaths, Vincentians.