I’ve been told that I may have been beating up on the former Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, recently with some of my hard-hitting submissions to your paper. Well, let me pivot slightly.
By all accounts, Ralph E. Gonsalves is a Caribbean intellectual asset, one of the few blessed with the undeniable gift of gab. His strategic alliance of the MNU and the SVLP took him out of the political wilderness and into the arena, where he championed the cause of Vincentians who had become weary and disgruntled under Sir James and the NDP.
Oh, how we ushered him in, gladly, prayerfully, and with thanksgiving. Indeed, he started out on what seemed the right track.
People felt seen and heard. The dream of “a university graduate in every household” was taking shape. The promise of “no child left behind” was more than a slogan. Bridges, roads, and infrastructure were booming. AIA too! For a time, the man was in his prime, visionary, confident, and sharp.
If I were to detail his track record (beyond the self-praise and the books he has written), I would still say: Man, Ralph, you good. You SMART. And you have a brilliant mind.
However, somewhere along my academic journey, I learned a truth: power corrupts. But! Somewhere along your journey, sir, the people began to feel that your handshake no longer matched your smile. Many of us felt as though you had a hook in our gill, and we simply wanted it removed.
I say this to recognise and thank you for what you have done: your vision, your contributions, and the indelible mark you will leave on Caribbean political civilisation.
It is unfortunate that you were unable to secure that sixth term, but sir, if you do not feel it is time to hang up your jacket, then by all means continue on the path you choose. I wish you well.
I leave you with the familiar words of Kenny Rogers:
“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em,
Know when to fold ’em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run.”
Count your blessings, sir.
SVG will build on what you and other prime ministers and other visionaries before have started. The work forever goes on.
Sincerely,
40 Pieces of Silver
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He was good and his downfall started with Michelle Andrews and then the civil Rights Lawyer and then Zhinga. H was so slick that he swapped the rape accusation with a simple defence. He claimed that he only gave the Lady a Reassuring Kiss and generated a Rape Rally.
But at last, he got slammed to the floor on November 27th, 2025. He was the only one came out alive from the Gang of 15.
There you have it, your Swansong; now all you need is a soundtrack to accompany it.