The 24 year political dynasty of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves as Prime Minister came to a crushing end on Thursday in the small Caribbean territory of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as he was trounced by Dr. Godwin Friday and his New Democratic Party at the national elections.
The NDP has won 14 of the 15 seats in the Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was hoping for sixth consecutive election victory, but his competitor called for change and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines heeded that call. The only seat won by Dr. Gonsalves’ United Labour Party is the one held by him.
Dr. Friday is expected to take the oath of office today as the 5th Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines since the islands’ independence in 1979. He has indicated that he is ready to take on the work. Today is a national holiday in St. Vincent and the newly elected Government is expected to host a celebration event for the islands.
A number of Caribbean Leaders have offered congratulations to Dr. Friday and his party as they form the new Government.
The election campaign focused on various issues of concern to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with Gonsalves pleading to be lifted up one more time, even as Friday said it was time for him to go. The two major parties also invested heavily in their campaigns by flying in a number of Jamaican artistes to provide entertainment at their rallies.
One Caribbean Analyst told a live television programme that at the end of it all, it appeared as though change was the keyword at the polls for the electorate in St. Vincent.
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