By Kenrick Quashie
The recent announcement by Prime Minister Dr. Friday that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will establish an integrity commission during this term of government is most welcome news. It is a monumental development for our beloved country.
Over the years, I have come to trust Dr. Friday’s word. He is slow to speak but when he does speak, he is committed to the promises he makes. In pledging to establish the commission, he has already gone further than any previous prime minister.
Previously, once elected, the prime minister goes silent on the matter or claim that integrity cannot be legislated as was the case of the current leader of the opposition when he was prime minister. Equally encouraging is the approach being taken to study similar legislation and commissions across the region.
Examining the experiences of other Caribbean countries and learning from their strengths as well as their shortcomings is the correct and responsible way to proceed. Good governance reforms should not be rushed blindly; they must be thoughtfully designed to avoid the pitfalls others have already encountered. Even with these careful steps, we should recognise that the first version of an integrity commission will not be perfect.
No institution is perfect at its birth. What matters is that the foundation is laid. Once established, future governments and generations will refine and strengthen it over time. The most important thing is to begin.
It is now one hundred days since the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines rejected the ULP and voted overwhelmingly for the NDP. Many Vincentians remain pleased with that decision and hopeful about the direction in which the country is heading. There is still much work ahead, but the commitment to establishing an integrity commission signals that the government understands the importance of transparency, accountability, and public trust in our national development.
Marrying good governance with tangible policies and programmes that ease the economic burdens of our people is excellent. While we must pick the low-hanging fruits and offer immediate benefits to our people, we must balance it with medium and long-term benefits for future generations and not just for election cycles of five years.
The constituency representatives have also been actively engaging their communities in new ways. Community series, town hall meetings, and weekly office days are becoming more common. These efforts are commendable, and I encourage them to continue. Maintaining a close and consistent connection with the people is one of the most important aspects of good representation. Even though I am not a politician, many people approach me with various issues in the hope that I might assist in some way.
If ordinary citizens receive such requests, one can only imagine the range of concerns brought directly to elected representatives. It is an enormous responsibility, and we must continue to encourage and support those who serve. At the same time, our leaders must remain empathetic and responsive to the needs of our people.
One of the deeper challenges we face, though, is how governance itself is defined. By most accounts, former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell ran an effective government. Democratic institutions functioned, debate was vibrant, and civil servants were generally allowed to perform their duties professionally.
Over the past 25 years, however, the Gonsalves administration effectively redefined how governance operated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For many citizens, especially the younger ones, that model is the only one they know. As a matter of fact, most civil servants today don’t know any other government or style of governance. As a result, there is and will be for a long time, a tendency to measure the Friday administration against the Gonsalves era. That may not always be the most useful comparison. Instead, we must give Dr. Friday and his team the opportunity to redefine governance in a healthier way. It must not become a case of “now it is our turn to do what they did”. If the country truly desires change, then a new style of governance must emerge. We must move towards a governance style that is transparent, respectful of institutions, and guided by higher standards.
Finally, as we move forward, we must protect free speech and the vibrancy of our democracy. Differences of opinion are healthy in any society. We should encourage debate and opposing views without seeking to destroy or silence those with whom we disagree. A confident democracy does not fear criticism. Let us grow stronger because of a healthy democracy. The work of building a better St. Vincent and the Grenadines is only the beginning. The first steps are encouraging. What matters now is that we continue to move forward with integrity, humility, and a shared commitment to the national good.
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