PRESS RELEASE BY NDP
The New Democratic Party hosted its Conference of Delegates, which was phase one of its national convention, on Sunday 27th May 2018. The convention, which is in its 40th year, was held at Democrat House, the party’s headquarters in Kingstown under the theme, “One Nation One People One Vincy”.
The Conference of Delegates which was a closed session were attended by constituency delegates, and members of the Central Committee.
The Conference agenda included reports from the party Chairman – Hon. Daniel Cummings, Secretary General – Tyrone James, President – Dr. the Hon. Godwin Friday, Constitutional amendments and election of officers to the Executive.
Addressing the gathering Chairman Hon. Daniel Cummings, told the convention that the NDP remained a strong and viable party because of their continued sacrifices.
He encouraged members to hold fast to their conviction and congratulated them for their continued support in the face of targeted victimization by the ruling ULP.
In addition, Secretary General – Tyrone James, highlighted several of the accomplishments of the party over the year.
James informed the conference that the party was moving to further solidify itself as a regional and international organization through active involvement in the Caribbean Democratic Union and the International Democrat Union.
He also made mention of the party’s active engagement with the Vincentian people through ‘walk abouts’, town hall meetings, and an increase in the party’s philanthropic efforts.
James reported that the party had increased the number of persons in the E. G Lynch Memorial Scholarship, and expanded its back to school initiatives. In concluding his report James stated that the party stood on three pillars the women’s arm, the Young Democrats (youth arm) and the constituencies, and called on members to redouble their efforts to ensure the three remain strong and viable.
Party President – Dr. the Hon. Godwin Friday, delivered the final report at the convention.
In his report Dr. Friday addressed several issues of national concern including his Commonwealth citizenship, and the upsurge in heinous sexual crimes and other abuses against our women and young girls.
In speaking to the citizenship issue Dr. Friday said, “I fail to believe that the only duplicitous argument which can be manufactured by the ULP regime to discredit me, is that I, have citizenship in another Commonwealth country; this is a fact that I have never hidden.
I am a Vincentian by birth, I attended university, got married and I was working in Canada, but when I got the call to serve and represent my people, I left it all and returned home.”
Dr. Friday also commented on several of the activities done in the past year, notably the National Youth Dialogue hosted last year November. The President said, “I meant it when I said that we will be consulting our youth; we have started the process our youth dialogue was a game changer event.
The activity afforded me the opportunity to talk one on one with our young people and they were very frank about their views, something I appreciated.” Dr. Friday further commented on his constituency walkabouts, noting that he had promised to so do and he is fulfilling that objective.
He said that the walkabouts give him the opportunity to touch base with people on a personal level, and to understand the issues affecting them.
The proceedings included a constitutional amendment which created the new position of Deputy Chair.
Following internal election several changes were made to the Executive arm of the party. The executive is as follows:
- President – Dr. Godwin Friday
- Chair – Honorable Daniel Cummings
- Deputy Chair – Glenford Stewart
- Vice Presidents – Honorable Major St. Clair Leacock and Rolan Matthews
- Secretary General – Tyrone James
- Assistant Secretary – Mrs. Doris McIntosh (who is replacing sister Margaret London)
- Public Relations Officer – Lavern King
- Treasurer – Horace Williams (who is replacing brother Dr. Bernard Mills)
Five committee members were also elected as follows:
- Jeanie Olliverre
- Johann Stewart
- Amos Cruickshank
- Clemroy Bert Francios
- Maurice Horne.
