Letter: St Vincent & the Grenadines - a drowning prime minister
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| Published on Thursday, May 27, 2010 |
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Dear Sir:
Congratulations to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. They have elected a new government in office, headed by a brave and powerful woman, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She was able to bridge the gap between the breakaway Congress of the People (COP), and the United National Congress (UNC), and to attract the splinter opposition parties and trade unions.
She was also brave enough to remove a man like Basdeo Panday, the founder of the UNC, a top trade unionist, and a former prime minister, because most Trinidadians felt that the 77-year-old politician had outlived his usefulness and was a stumbling block to progress.
I was impressed when the new prime minister had kind words for her former leader Panday and wished him happy birthday. This new turn of events in our neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago will send a clear message to all governments in the Caribbean that God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. It also reminds us that democracy will live and reign among us no matter how hard the detractors try to stifle it.
Prime Minister Bissessar, like Sir James Mitchell, reiterated how difficult it is for women, as wives and mothers, to maintain a political life and office and attend to family and family matters.
Recently, a statement made by Sir James Mitchell at a politically rally of the New Democratic Party was taken out of context and the author in an article in the Searchligjht newspaper of Friday, May 21, accused Sir James of desecrated comments about women in St Vincent and the Grenadines. What is amazing is that the author did not find it necessary to listen to the original tape before making such accusation. Maybe it is felt that it is time to drum up lies to try to keep Ralph Gonsalves' United Labour Party (ULP) in the spotlight.
The author is a known bootlicker of Ralph and will do anything to please him so he can continue to get some crumbs.
Sir James, a three term prime minister, did more for women in his country than any other prime minister. Vincentians have more critical issues confronting us, like little or no medication in the hospital, shortage of medical equipment and a host of problems, including massive unemployment, escalation of crime, etc. Instead of the author addressing those issues, he decided to falsely and maliciously attack the former prime minister.
As a mother, and a wife, I can also identify with the sentiments expressed by the new female prime minister. I held two positions simultaneously in the New Democratic Party: Assistant General Secretary and Head of the Women's Arm.
Gonsalves is no doubt a worried man, his close ally Patrick Manning is no longer there. He will also resign as leader of the PNM. His other socialist pal, Baldwin Spencer is hanging on a piece of thread and his days will soon come to an end as soon as the Appeal Court hears the appeal in July.
It is clear that Ralph needs a lifeguard to assist him to get back to shore. The worse thing any inexperienced swimmer can do is to try to save a drowning man.
Let us not lose focus on the real issues confronting our nation. Vincentians, do not be distracted by the detractors who are hell bent on spreading all kinds of falsehoods in a bid to save the ULP.
The voters list is of utmost importance now. I cannot over-emphasise the need to address the names that need to be eliminated from the list so that we can have an accurate count of the registered voters in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is the responsibility of every Vincentian at home and abroad to ensure that we have a free and fair election and one that is free of fear.
Mourine De Freitas-Ramjeet | | | | Reads : 1586 | | | |
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