For many years, we spoke out against nepotism, favouritism and unethical practices in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We challenged systems that left people feeling that their opportunities depended on their political connections. We did so because we wanted fairness, accountability and a better future for the Vincentian people.
Those principles cannot change simply because the government has changed.
I want to ask Vincentians a serious question: What does true change mean to you?
Does it mean putting your preferred political party in power and celebrating an election victory? Or does it mean creating a country where people can earn a decent living, build a business, support their families and access opportunities fairly?
Changing a government is one step. Changing the conditions under which people live is the work that must follow.
I have received several calls from people who supported the NDP and now feel disappointed, frustrated and ignored. These are people who believed in the promise of change and hoped their concerns would finally receive meaningful attention.
Their disappointment deserves to be heard. But let me be clear: supporting a political party should never entitle anyone to a government contract, a position or preferential treatment. That would reproduce the very practices we fought against. What people are entitled to is a fair hearing, transparent processes and a genuine opportunity to participate in their country’s development.
And that entitlement belongs equally to those who supported the government, those who voted against it and those who did not vote at all.
Once elected, you govern for the entire nation.
My concern is the development of Vincentians. The woman selling food by the roadside. The man trying to keep his construction company operating. The farmer seeking a reliable market. The young person with a business idea but no access to financing. The skilled professional in the diaspora who wants to contribute but cannot find a clear pathway to do so.
What practical opportunities are being created for these people? Who is listening to their challenges? What barriers are being removed so they can succeed?
I keep seeing attention given to foreign investors, and I am asking where local enterprise fits within that vision. Foreign investment can contribute to our country, but its value should also be measured by what it creates for Vincentians: decent jobs, opportunities for local suppliers, training, skills and lasting economic benefits.
Our people must have a meaningful place in the development taking place around them. They should be able to own, build, supply, manage and lead.
If local business owners are struggling to access opportunities, imagine the experience of someone with fewer resources and no influential connections. Imagine the mother deciding whether to pay the electricity bill or buy groceries. Imagine the father wondering how he will afford transport, lunch and school supplies for his child.
What does an announcement about national progress mean to a household that remains in constant financial distress?
Development must be measured in people’s lives. Can families meet their basic needs? Can young people find meaningful employment? Can small businesses survive and grow? Can someone obtain a service or compete for a contract without having to call a politician?
These are the questions that matter.
We also need to speak honestly about the relationship between economic hardship, exclusion and public safety. Poverty does not excuse crime, and people remain responsible for their actions. Many Vincentians face tremendous hardship and continue to live honestly.
However, a serious response to crime must include attention to the conditions that leave people feeling hopeless, disconnected and without opportunity. Enforcement matters, and so do education, employment, mentorship, mental health support and functioning communities.
When a young person sees no realistic route to earning a living, we should be asking what can be done to create one. When families repeatedly seek help and feel unheard, we should be asking why the system is failing to respond.
Visible displays of privilege alongside widespread hardship can deepen that frustration. Leaders must understand how their decisions, spending and conduct are perceived by the people being asked to remain patient.
Public office carries a responsibility to explain decisions, account for public resources and demonstrate that the national interest comes first.
To the administration: criticism is part of accountability. People raising concerns should be heard without being dismissed as disloyal or treated as political enemies. Some of the most valuable warnings come from people who want you to succeed and can see where trust is beginning to weaken.
Listen to local business owners. Meet with communities. Engage our diaspora. Publish clear criteria for opportunities and contracts. Explain how people can access support, and ensure those processes are fair.
Four years will pass quickly. When the electorate assesses your performance, people will remember whether their lives improved, whether you listened and whether your promises became practical action.
The standard we demanded of the previous administration must remain the standard we demand today. Our commitment to integrity cannot depend on who holds office.
My loyalty is to the development and dignity of the Vincentian people.
We fought for a country where opportunity is accessible, leadership is accountable and people can build a future at home. That remains the goal.
Take this as a call to act while there is time to rebuild confidence: stop overlooking local people. Invest in their abilities, respond to their concerns and give them a fair chance to contribute.
True change must reach the household, the village, the workplace and the small business. Vincentians must be able to feel it in their everyday lives.
