Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, says he is expecting a “bigger victory” at the polls today, expressing strong confidence in voter turnout and support on the ground as Vincentians cast their ballots.
Speaking to St. Lucia Daily Post during a brief Election Day interview, Dr. Gonsalves said his supporters were out early and in large numbers.
“Our people are turning out to vote, and I’m very confident of a victory bigger than the one last time, both in number of seats and percentage of votes,” he stated.
When questioned about his opponent, Dr. Kishore Shallow, the Prime Minister delivered one of the most blunt assessments heard during this campaign cycle. Calling Shallow “a puny jackass,” Dr. Gonsalves accused his challenger of engaging in negative politics from the outset. “He began in the mud, he stayed in the mud. You live by the mud, you die by the mud,” Gonsalves said, adding that he believed Shallow had crossed a line by attacking the family of another candidate.
He also questioned Shallow’s contribution to national dialogue.
“Have you heard one uplifting idea from him? One constructive proposal? We must move past this kind of superficiality,” he added.
Dr. Gonsalves also weighed in on the regional debate surrounding Shallow’s dual role as President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) while contesting national elections. He reiterated his belief that Shallow should have stepped down once he entered frontline politics. “Once he decided to put his hand in the ring of competitive politics, he should have resigned as president of CWI,” Gonsalves said. “Other leaders in the region think the same. What he is trying to do is what punters call an each-way bet.”
The Vincentian Prime Minister also addressed earlier remarks suggesting he may visit Saint Lucia after the elections to support the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) ahead of its upcoming polls. He clarified that the comment was partly a teaser but made his political preference clear. “Everybody knows I’m rooting for Philip and the Saint Lucia Labour Party. It’s the better choice for Saint Lucia by far,” he said, while noting that he is not formally involving himself in Saint Lucia’s internal politics.
Dr. Gonsalves also gave a candid assessment of former Saint Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, describing him as the “worst prime minister I have worked with in 25 years.” However, he emphasised that despite political differences, he respected the will of the Saint Lucian electorate. “When he was elected, I worked with him respectfully. I’m a mature political personality,” he said. “But he came to St. Vincent, made comments about me, and held press conferences with the opposition here. So he gave his opinion, and I gave mine.”
Asked whether he would work with a United Workers Party (UWP) government should it win Saint Lucia’s upcoming elections, Dr. Gonsalves reiterated that he has always respected the outcomes of democratic processes. “If the people elect them, I’ll work with them. That’s how I’ve always operated,” he said.
As Vincentians continued heading to the polls, Dr. Gonsalves maintained full confidence in the outcome.
“I am very confident,” he said. “Our people are voting, and I expect a strong victory.”
Photo credit: Robertson Henry
