Gonsalves wins third term in St Vincent election

By Marcia Braveboy

St. Vincent and the Grenadines citizens gave Dr. Ralph Gonsalves a third term in office but not without warning in Monday's general election.

The newly elected Prime Minister may find the next five years difficult to govern as massive swing votes depleted his majority from twelve to eight seats. With the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) gaining four more seats. The Green Party and Independents won no seats.

The 8-7 narrow victory adds more muscle to the opposition arm in the Parliament and should see the Unity Labour Party (ULP) seeking greater coorporation from the Arnhim Eustace led NDP, in its attempt to run the country's affairs in the coming years.

Reports coming out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Total Caribbean Network) said that "the ULP lost the four marginal seats," chipping away at the governing powers of the Ralph Gonsalves Government.

If it be any consolation to the ULP however, five years is a long time in Government as it is in opposition.

But the slim majority does make the next five years interesting as one could see a possible crossing of the floor from either side.

Over a decade ago the NDP had 8 seats but succumbed to mounting political pressures and called elections midway into the 5 year term. The Unity Labour Party won that election on March 28th 2001 with 12 of the 15 seats and 57% of the popular vote.

This reality is what analysts are bunking on that the possibilities could swing either way in the coming years.

The ULP braved the tides without winning any of the seats in the capital, Kingstown. As good as the effort may be for the 65 years old Opposition leader, the records will show that he led the party to a third consecutive defeat, which is likely to pave the way for younger blood to assume leadership of the party.

The opposition has taken collective responsibility for its losses, citing a lack of aggression in tackling several issues, among them, the education programme of the Gonsalves Government and the construction of the Argyle International Airport which citizens are said to have mixed feeling about.

Gonsalves himself admits that his narrow victory allows him to complete several developmental projects including grooming a younger generations of leaders to take the ULP to the next level.

The election was called one week after the five year term, as the Government was not satisfied with polling results. 

Gonsalves' decision to call the elections shortly after handing out aid to Vincentians following the passage of hurricane Tomas has led analysts to believe that that may have aided the newly elected Prime Minister's victory. Some remain doubtful however.