Gonsalves’ misinterpretation of voters’ message 

By Kenrick Quashie

The dust has settled on the 2025 general elections, with Vincentians clearly giving the NDP a strong and decisive mandate while firmly rejecting the Gonsalves style of politics.

I have three key observations to share given that Gonsalves seemingly believes in a potential comeback for himself and the ULP, despite the resounding message from voters that his political approach is no longer desired. His refusal to interpret the electorate’s emphatic message places him and his associates in a concerning political and psychological position.


Firstly, Gonsalves’ refusal to step aside following a crushing defeat is hindering any chance for the party’s rejuvenation and continuation, a pattern consistent with every political party he has led. By clinging to relevance, he blocks internal restructuring, suppresses the rise of new leadership, and keeps the party trapped in a rejected past. Rather than preserving and strengthening the ULP, his unwillingness to move on is hastening its decline. Gonsalves seems to be delusional, trying daily to look prime ministerial. 


Secondly, this harmful and pervasive belief espoused by him and his followers that individuals owe personal gratitude to Gonsalves for scholarships, job opportunities, and other benefits received from the government during the ULP’s tenure will ultimately undermine many of the people he strategically positioned throughout the government service and could lead to their downfall. This mindset erases individual effort and family sacrifice and fosters a form of political dependency that places loyalty to a man above allegiance to the country.

In his post-election address to party supporters, Gonsalves seemed to hint at a potentially strategic effort to undermine the new administration. If this mentality persists, his loyalists within the system may feel compelled to answer his call and act, believing they owe him their allegiance even though he has absolutely no constitutional authority or political influence left. 


I am certain that many civil servants hope for his complete political fade-out so they can work without fear, knowing that his influence has waned irreversibly, even when he has absolutely no influence presently.


Finally, while he may insist that he is fit as a fiddle, we have all noticed the steady decline in his physical wherewithal to keep up with the demands of running the country or simply walking. His crushing defeat at the polls is an opportunity for renewal. I would be surprised if his once-loyal political compatriots are not already secretly working to oust him from party leadership.

Many rumours have been afloat suggesting that the former prime minister should hand over the reigns of opposition leader to a younger, more agile individual. This is baseless, as that is not possible with ONE seat. Even if things were different, I doubt he would have gone for it.

Gonsalves’ final chapter will be a sordid tale of a present-day Julius Caesar surrounded by many Brutuses, who I am certain are collaborating even now, a closing act Shakespeare would be proud of, or the fate of Winston Smith in George Orwell’s novel 1984 will surely be shared by his many loyalist who have been brainwashed into believing our society can be no better without him.

The mythology built around his indispensability is collapsing, and those who believed that government cannot function without him will soon confront a very different reality. One thing is certain: collapse is imminent. The reality is that people have spoken, signalling a shift in mandate and the end of an oppressive era.


It is time for those still tied to the remnants of ULP’s legacy to break free and embrace a new era focused on service, integrity, and national progress.

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