Category: GT’s Column

Critical questions Vincentians must ask before election day

Post author By Opinion
Post date 26 Oct 2025 | 10:24 AM | AST

History Awaits

At any moment, the bell will ring and campaigning will begin. The question weighing on many Vincentians’ minds right now is, who am I going to vote for? For many, it’s not even a question—it’s an eager anticipation of when they’ll get the chance to mark their X. Some will do so out of blind loyalty, some for the betterment of the country, and some out of bitterness.

Both political parties stand at a critical crossroads. A ULP victory will likely signal the ultimate end of the NDP as we know it; there’s no way they could continue together after six straight rejections from the electorate. Conversely, an NDP win will likely jumpstart a leadership transition within the ULP.

We’re in a season often called the “silly season.” However, it’s crucial that we educate ourselves on election procedures, study both parties’ policies and proposed plans, and critically assess their feasibility. We must distinguish between genuine proposals and mere gimmicks.

Things to Consider as a ULP Supporter

We’re approaching 25 years under one leader. He’s not getting any younger, and another term in office will push him past the age of 80. Currently, there’s still no clear succession plan. Who’s next in line to take over the leadership? We may love and vote for the current PM, but would we be satisfied with whoever succeeds him?

Ask yourself: Are you satisfied with what’s been accomplished in the last 25 years? If you refrained from voting in the last election, why? Will you do that again, or will you show up this time to give the ULP a solid chance of winning?

Things to Consider as an NDP Supporter

After almost 25 years in opposition, do you still believe the general public wants a government under NDP leadership? Could this be the year? If the NDP wins, will they live up to their expectations and promises?

Like the ULP, the NDP’s leadership is also aging. If successful, would Dr. Friday try to hold onto power even though his first term would put him at age 70? Is there a succession plan? Would they be making the changes they’ve assured us of, or would they spend the next five years cleaning up the mess they claim the ULP will leave?

Taking the Blinders Off

There’s a narrative that Vincentians are tired of Ralph and the ULP. The opposition often uses the fact that they won the popular vote in the last election to convince the public that the electorate favors them. Interestingly, they never mention the margin of that victory. You may wonder, “Well, what is the amount?” They won the popular vote by a mere 481 votes—and still lost a seat.

Let’s put this into context. On the mainland, the ULP remains the favorite and the party to beat. When they were in opposition in 1998 and lost the election, they won the popular vote by over 4,000 and lost by just one seat. We’re all entitled to our opinions, but what this highlights is that the Grenadines’ significant support for the NDP gave them only a meager 400-plus vote advantage in the popular vote. This suggests the ULP suffered from voter apathy—that voters would rather abstain than vote for the opposition. In 1998, that wasn’t the case; the opposition gained substantial support across the country.

Time for Change

However, it is time for a change in the country—not necessarily in party, but in leadership. This doesn’t mean the current leader isn’t doing a good job; it simply means it’s time for a fresh start. The NDP still isn’t that option; they’ve never presented themselves as a better choice—they’re simply the only other option.

Both parties continue with their political gimmicks. The ULP delivers projects just before elections, while the NDP continues to promise things that don’t add up. For 25 years they’ve said the country is worse off than it was. If that’s the case, how can you tell the public that in 60 days you’ll drop VAT from 16% to 13%, double the amount for public assistance (often wrongfully referred to as “poor relief”), and give a bonus to civil servants—without stating where the money will come from?

One could conclude that maybe the government isn’t doing so badly after all. They sell the dream of a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program generating the needed finance, but CBI can’t be set up in 60 days. Constitutionally, there must be changes to laws regarding the sale of passports, and the vetting process for applicants literally takes up to nine months before they can proceed to payment. Considering we’re joining the party late alongside fellow Caribbean islands, our rates must be competitive, right?

In the end, the ULP needs a change, the country needs a change, and the NDP needs a change. But who would we prefer to go through that change with?

GT's Column

Behind The Scenes Of The Profession By Glenroy Thomas -Part 1

Post author By Glenroy Thomas
Post date 3 Mar 2020 | 6:42 PM | AST
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Do you remember that moment you sat in class and the question was asked: What do you want to be when you grow up? That question was mostly asked by a person in a career which we refused to consider. You know the answer, a teacher!

Teachers today may wonder why oftentimes their career was overlooked by the students they teach. The answer given to that is, “I cah tek on stress anuh, I can’t manage all that work dey. Me yah? Be teacher? Ha! Not in my wildest dream,

Would I have figured that being a teacher is what I would have grown to love.

However, do you know what it is like behind the scenes?

Your daily routine may include, getting up on mornings, getting a shower, going to the kitchen with your breakfast already prepared, uniform already pressed and out the door you go, another day at work or school. Well, maybe for some teachers that is their exact daily routine. However, when you consider that the teaching

Profession is majority female, yours is nowhere near as challenging as theirs.

Imagine being married with children. Regularly a person would set their alarm for at least 90 minutes before they plan to leave the house. The teacher who is Responsible for taking care of their family sets theirs for a few hours to allow for

The preparation and consumption of breakfast, and the packaging and distribution of Lunch, and to get the children and themselves ready for school.

A Christian household also means added burden to that teacher. Time spent in

Devotion can be time spent to rest. The thought of this may be upsetting to you but

Considering that a teacher’s working hours goes beyond the 8-3, you will realize

The reasons why the devotional life of a family suffers and why the Lord gets the

Leftovers.

Imagine, starting your day at 3 a.m.? While you imagine that scenario, consider the

Fact that your real work actually starts at 8 a.m. Now, here you are at work tired

before the chalk even makes contact with the board. “Good morning students, how

Are you today? Make sure your desk resembles the subject I am about to teach. Let

me ask you a question. What do you want to be when you grow up? Oh! So, no

One wants to be a teacher?” The sad reality is that people who express their

displeasure in joining the profession are half correct in their estimate of the level of

stress and work that one actually goes through. To the naked eye, what they behold

is just dealing with multiple personalities and hours spent preparing for lessons.

I can just imagine what the comment section would be like. “Teachers have the

most holidays.” “Teachers have it hard?” “Teachers always complaining!” and the

list goes on. Be aware that this is just the surface of what behind the scenes can be

like. The challenges that teachers face are different. The reasons why teachers love

their job is also different. This is just the beginning of what a hero goes through on

a daily basis. Stay tuned for part two.

GT's Column

Land Of My Birth (By Glenroy Thomas )

Post author By Glenroy Thomas
Post date 24 May 2019 | 9:01 AM | AST
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I can just imagine the feeling a bird gets whenever it flies to the comfort of its nest. If you don’t get that feeling while flying over the ‘Island of Clouds’, while approaching the air strip of beauty, ‘AIA’ ; I will forgive you for not being a citizen of Hairouna. Don’t feel bad as yet, the feeling will come when your feet is on the ground of paradise.

What do we have to offer? You may ask. Well, the name is “Hairouna, Land of the blessed”; we offer greatness and nothing less.

For picture taking we have countless views that can be compared to many but it is not the same when fort charlotte is your balcony. You may need an oxygen tank because our views are breathtaking, as you explore get some rest because La Soufriere might just be the best.

Have you ever wondered what the Garden of Eden looked like? Wonder no more as I take you on a tour of the oldest garden in the western hemisphere.

If you are feeling down and out, if a peace of mind is what you’re looking for then the botanic garden is a place of grandeur.it will put your mind at ease and you will live happier. They say roses are red and violets are blue, I just spoke about the mainland we have grenadines too.

With 32 Islands and cays, you can choose any month of the year and you will have a new island to visit every single day for that month. To fully understand what paradise means, you will have to visit the Grenadines.

However, if you are tired from exploring the mainland but you don’t want to go to down to the Grenadines. Have no fear, Young Island is near. The trailer of a movie that is what Young island is to the Grenadines. There is much more to explore but my time is up so hire a taxi and let them give you a tour.

Written by: Glenroy Thomas