The people have spoken, it is time to start the healing process. The presidential election in the US comes around every four (4) years, 5 years in some other countries. I voted in Florida where I reside and followed closely the election in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where I grew up.
Dr Ralph Gonsalves, leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) won 9 of the 15 seats contested. Dr Friday, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) managed to maintain 6 of the 7 seats he went into the election with.
More than 40% of the voting population supported the ULP at the polls although at least 6 seats were narrowly won.
The voter turn out was low and given the fall off on the ULP side, in my opinion supporters of the ULP stayed away at from the polls. The talk around is, some representatives were not paying enough attention to their constituencies.
There is work to be done for both parties, more so for the NDP. The NDP will be serving its 5th term in opposition.
Nearly win is no win. From all information I have received, Dr Gonsalves is already on the ball doing a post Mortem in an effort to stitch back up the seams where there is leaking.
Many supporters of the NDP are bitter and have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the voters of the ULP. The election is over, the people have spoken, over 40% of the people must be respected for exercising their democratic right.
Time for healing on both sides. Time to starting building again. Time for both parties to go back to the drawing board to try to get their supporters to stop the bitter war 365 days a year. Their is too much at stake to continue down this road.
It is my personal belief that Ralph Gonsalves will stay on into the next general election. He cannot afford to leave after such a low turn out at the polls on the ULP side.
He cannot afford to hand over leadership to anyone with a barely win. The two (2) potential candidates that are most likely to take over leadership have shown tremendous weakening at the polls. To lead one must start off with a source of strength.
