OPINION: Dual Citizenship, Split Loyalties: Can Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday Sincerely Serve One Nation?

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As Vincentians brace for the upcoming general elections, one of the vexing issues which demands urgent attention is the leadership aspirant, Dr Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Party, holding dual citizenship with St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Canada.  Party supporters downplay this fact as a matter of personal choice which does not relate in anyway to his leadership of the country.  It appears as if he was able to convince them that it has nothing to do with commitment and national loyalty.

Leadership at the level of a Prime Minister demands an unwavering commitment and dedication to the constitution and the people.  The dual citizenship of Dr Friday does not suggest split allegiance, it is in fact, split allegiance.  Should there be a diplomatic conflict between St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Canada, which side of the fence will Dr Friday stand?  To whom will his loyalty lie?   This is a contentious issue because it instills doubt regarding allegiance.  A Prime Minister MUST be answerable to only one people not a foreign government or passport!  The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr the Honourable Andrew Holness said it best “To be the ultimate executive leader of a country, you should have no other citizenship.  There should be no question by your citizens that you lead, that you have somehow, split loyalties, that you have a parachute in case anything go wrong, that you may not be subject to the full force of the laws of the country that you serve because you are a citizen of another country. You could always find a way out… the question should be, is the leader of your country fully wholly and solely committed to your best interest and there is no other loyalty or interest…?”.

It is apparent that the Leader of the Opposition considers dual citizenship as a political insurance, presenting an exit route if the situation goes awry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  We already saw this in action after Hurricane Beryl devastated our island, particularly the Southern Grenadines.  Dr Friday had the option to leave (text omitted).  Should there be an economic collapse or any other situation that strips SVG of its resilience, Dr Friday will be protected under Canadian laws as the holder of a Canadian passport.  The luxury of holding a Canadian passport is counter to the struggles that all other Vincentians will share.   He will be separated from the populace at the soul.  His relationship with SVG is strictly transactional, there is no emotion, no tugging of the heartstrings, just a bland heart, a flat line seen on a cardiac monitor when a person dies.

A show of statesmanship and a love of country includes placing national interest as a priority.  Renouncing citizenship, like the Honourable Camillo Gonsalves did, shows a level of seriousness and solidarity with the people.  While Vincentians struggle to obtain a passport, Dr Friday holds a passport in a wealthy country in which he is a citizen. It is no surprise, therefore, that you have no qualms about selling the Vincentian passport because it means very little to you.

By Dr. Audrey Gittens