Let me say from the outset that I am a born and bred Vincentian. I am Vincy to the bone. And because I have lived to see that I am not too far off of my 70th birthday, and not because I have lived in Trinidad, I think I have the right to say certain things that are on my mind.
I have taken close note of our Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, since he took office in 2001. Even before that, I observed him especially during his practice as a defence lawyer. (Could I say that in this regard I think that young Mr. Grant Connell reminds me very much of Ralph Gonsalves the lawyer.)
I know that there are many people out there who think that Dr. Gonsalves is a selfish even arrogant man. There are even those who say that he has no real love for black people.
I want to say up front that I admire Dr. Gonsalves who is a family man and who works hard in front of and behind the scene. I wonder sometime whether his day has more than 24 hours.
In the face of those who might castigate me, I say without water in my mouth that the Dr. Gonsalves I have observed thinks nothing about race and all he is concerned about is the people’s welfare and the country’s development. He is especially caring about the youth and children.
And he is brave, not afraid to match his wits and country with the ‘biggest of boys’ in the regional and international arenas. And don’t talk about his intelligence. There are few to match him among the leaders in the Caribbean.
Above all though, he is a man of great resolve… not one to be broken by all the harsh criticism that is targeted at him. He takes all that is thrown at him, comes out fighting and stands tall when the day is done.
In the face of all that is said and done and in the face of what we have in front of us as an alternative, I declare that Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is the right man for this stage of our development. We are in the 21st century. We need leaders who can see us through the challenges of this century and take us forward, not take us back.
I make no apology for my admiration for Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
David Charles
Port of Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago.