Former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says he expects to receive the courtesies accorded to the nation’s former leaders.
Gonsalves, 79, who was prime minister from March 2001 to Thursday, when his Unity Labour Party was voted out of office, says he will take up his position as leader of the opposition.
“On a personal note, I expect that as a former prime minister, especially one of many years of service, that I shall be accorded all the usual courtesies and privileges attendant upon the former holders of this high office in St. Vincent and the Grenadines consonant with the practices of civilised nations,” he said on Saturday on Star Radio in his first public comments since the defeat.
“Any derogation therefrom will be brought to the attention of the national, regional and international communities for corrective action,” he said.
His comments came even as he said there were “disturbing undercurrents that are emanating from certain quarters within or closely aligned to the new regime.
“Threats of political persecution and political victimisation are already being openly and not so openly ventilated, not only against me and my immediate family but far more importantly, against Labour supporters and activists, especially those in the public sector but also in the private sector.
“Be assured that active political resistance, peacefully and legally, will meet any such political persecution or victimisation. I can be relied upon to lead such a resistance. Do not mistake the strength of my will in this regard.”
Gonsalves said he would be “reasonable in striving, seeking and finding, but I will not yield to injustice, unfairness, bad governance, or the selling out of my country — this magnificent component of our Caribbean civilisation to which I have devoted my entire life in service”.
Gonsalves was the only member of his Unity Labour Party’s slate of candidates to win a seat in the election.
The 14 others were won by the New Democratic Party (NDP), with two independent candidate failing to make an impact, losing their deposits in the process.
“I want to remind everyone that although we won only one seat. We secured some 44% or thereabouts of the popular vote,” Gonsalves said, citing the preliminary figures.
“I remind everyone, too, that this is a significant base of support, larger than that of the NDP when that regime fell in 2001,” Gonsalves said, adding, “So do not take Labour for granted.”
The NDP spent 17 years in office from July 1984 until it was ousted in an early election in March 2001, forced by political unrest the previous year.
The ULP stormed to office, winning 12 of the 15 seats and amassing 32,925 votes, while the NDP won three seats and attracted 23,844 votes.
In the 2020 polls, the NDP won 14 seats with 37,002 votes compared to the ULP’s one seat and 27,148 votes.
This means that in 2001, the ULP attracted 9,081 more votes than the NDP, while in 2025, the NDP amassed 9,854 votes more than the ULP.
“I shall with dignity, duty and love, assume the role of leader of the opposition until propitious circumstances determine 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.”
Well Comrade you are now akin to a wounded animal. The voters have spoken and rendered a verdict. Vincentians owe you a respectful send off but owe you no special privileges. Give up some of them including the restaurant’s at the airport.
The election results was a referendum on your rule, therefore, you can commence another road block revolution. I wish you well Comrade.
The focus of any legal inquiry should not be on the voters but on the conduct of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Serious questions regarding his administration’s management demand scrutiny, from the projects at Atley Hall and Sion Hill to the Bequia airport development and last year’s hurricane relief efforts.
To the leader of the opposition, what courtesies and privileges did you offer the previous Prime Ministers? When Louis Straker tried to push Mr. Eustace down the stairs in Layout? What did you offer them when, they were physically shoved down the stairs from the parliament. If the NDP were to offer you similar you would not survive. But we the NDP, do not walk in your shoes.
Mr. Gonsalves is voicing what his previous philisophy and actions have demonstrsted over the yesrs. He is fearful that what he has dished out will be continued but in the other direction.
He has been touted as a grest speaker but he has always used statements in such a way that shows the opposite. He cant just make a statement, he instead tred to belittle and justify his intent.
“I shall be accorded all the usual courtesies and privileges?”Did you grant privileges to your opponents.SMDH.
Maybe he should be specific and transparent with the public about what exactly he is expecting. As far as most people are concerned, he is a regular citizen again. What are we talking about here, transport, special passport, security, what are we talking about, and how do these courtesies stack up with what James Mitchell or Arnhim Eustace would have gotten?
Wat goes around comes around dats de way of life. Do unto others as you will have dem do to you.
Why is Ralph acting and responding to his defeat with such attitude?
It says and means a lot when any losers admit to their lost. It shows they take responsibility for their lost and want to move forward. The relationship is not about Ralph or Friday. It has to do with SVG national accepting the result and moving forward to work together for the island nation and not for individuals.
It is the responsibility of the NDP to investigate all and every action that comes to their attention, once they have access to the data and money issues. Ralph refused to follow many actions the courts ordered. His government was supposed to pay several individuals for its actions and he refused to follow the judge’s orders.
The new government must and should pay these debts created by the ULP and in doing so there must be an investigation on these issues.
I believe Ralph knows these court cases and his actions and that’s probably why he’s opening up for a fight. I believe ULP set fire to the Treasury building some years ago, but there may still be same paper work around.
One other point: He is now looking for treatments that he never gave to the leader of the opposition and the opposition candidates. There are pictures and videos of the mongoose police dragging the opposition members out of meetings. He was always picking dirty fights with them for more than twenty years when the questioned his actions on issues. It is now time for the NDP to look at all the data and money that passed through the ULP hands and probably pockets for more than 20 years.
So who will be selected by the ULP to be senators? I don’t think it will be Luke because he sleeps on the job. Will it be Brewster?
He needs a new job since he gave up being a doctor. Or will it be the 1 man vote! It won’t be Camillo because he’s had enough of Vincy politics – as a foreigner. What about Saboto? He spent too many years in the gully and Ralph won’t pick him. He may appoint the two ladies who competed for seats and lost. He looks old and ugly but he likes pretty women around him.
LIFE IS A CYCLE. EVERY THING GOES AROUND IN A CIRCLE!
KARMA in full effect Ralph! You deserve NOTHING but thank God, PM Friday’s heart isn’t mine!
The poll done by the pollster in Grenada was flawed from the beginning. The poll predicted a ULP victory of 8/7 and claims his company has a history of accurate prediction. He should never allowed to be involved in another survey.
The method used by this pollster was unscientific and bound give misleading results.Pierre made a mockery of the science itself. Shame on you Mr Pierre. Just a question, we’re you trying to influence the election results?
I hope the current administration does not honor his request. He has done nothing to help their constituencies. He should use some of the money he swindled from the country to pay for his own security. He thought he was untouchable, but the people have spoken.
Ralph wants to be treated the way he never treated the opposition candidates. Take your cap and stick and get out!