Sean Rose, a television journalist who worked in the British Virgin Islands for years before he recently left, has suffered a 29/0 defeat in his first major political bid in his native St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The almost seven years he lived outside the country may have been a reason he was blocked unanimously from becoming caretaker/candidate for the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in the South Central Windward constituency.
“The 29 delegates who voted said I need to be in the country [more often],” Rose told BVI News Online following the selection process last night in St Vincent.
He, however, does not intend to surrender his political ambitions.
“I remain willing to work with those who are serious about nation building,” Rose further said while commenting on the outcome of the political contest.
“Some things I won’t comment on, because I am a professional. So I remain grateful to those people who have endorsed me.”
“The issue relative to the selection of delegates is a dated approach even in our contemporary Caribbean. So we saw the prevailing winds of discord that echoed stifling notes, but we are committed to nation building,” added Rose.
He was beaten by attorney-at-law and former NDP public relations officer Israel Bruce.
Both men were seeking to replace teacher Addison Thomas who contested the South Central Windward seat for the NDP twice without success.
The NDP lost the general election by one seat in December last year, paving the way for Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ eight-seat Unity Labour Party to retain office.
Rose, in the meantime, indicated that he intends to ultimately make a major impact beyond the borders of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The graduate of the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, thinks he epitomizes the ‘Caribbean man’ maxim.
“Our Caribbean needs a new breed of leaders who can offer meaningful and practical plans to develop our respective countries. I have said before when one Caribbean country does well, we all will progress as a region,” Rose said.
By Horace Mills, BVI News
