Opinion: Why the NDP should never be in power

The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer.

The issue of accountability and performance standards for the opposition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines warrants a thorough examination. Dr. Friday, as the head of the Public Accounts Committee, frequently communicates messages tailored to his supporters, yet his fundamental obligation as opposition leader is to provide necessary checks and balances for the governmental framework. Instead of executing his responsibilities, he opts for inaction, avoiding meetings and evading accountability—likely to preserve the curated narrative for his constituency.

It is imperative for Vincentians to demand heightened accountability from the opposition. We must rigorously assess their current efficacy and project how such negligence might translate into governance; a continuation of their present complacency could have detrimental repercussions.

Furthermore, one must consider whether the New Democratic Party (NDP) possesses individuals capable of advocating effectively for St. Vincent and the Grenadines on an international platform. Should the NDP assume power, there exists a substantive risk that external interests could eclipse local governance. Therefore, citizens ought to advocate for superior representation and accountability from both ruling and opposition parties.

Recently, a concerning video surfaced on social media featuring the president of Cricket West Indies, who made an inappropriate comparison of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with nations such as St. Kitts and Nevis. It raises critical concerns about endorsements from a party that governed for 15 years without establishing an international airport, and subsequently opposed the development of the current airport. While the significance of international airports and cruise tourism cannot be understated, consideration must also be given to logistics—can St. Vincent accommodate simultaneous docking of multiple cruise ships effectively?

Historically, the NDP has opposed vital developments that are now in progress. For instance, if students sponsored by scholarships in Taiwan are impacted by a potential NDP administration, the ramifications could be significant, given their stated intent to sever ties with Taiwan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I encourage the youth to critically consider their educational trajectories. The distinction between funded education through grants and incurring debt is crucial. The NDP promotes a narrative favoring loans over grants. Such borrowing inevitably leads to repayment obligations, whereas scholarships from nations like Cuba and Taiwan offer education without the burden of debt.

We must also scrutinize the alarming levels of poverty correlating with the NDP’s historical disregard for youth needs. Graduates often face crippling debt that obstructs their potential to support families sustainably. It is critical to engage in a profound discourse around these issues and advocate for improvement.

Lastly, it is important to recognize the presence of NDP supporters on social media who may proliferate their agenda through disingenuous profiles. As Kendrick Lamar  ( they not like us) eloquently stated, these voices do not represent the true interests of Vincentians who aspire for genuine progress and success for our nation and its citizens.

By Wendy Jardine

A concerned Vincentian

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