(Excerpts of MP for East Kingstown, Honourable Fitz Bramble’s presentation at the ‘Hope for Youth’ Rally)
Ten years is a long time. Twenty years is even longer. For most of you young people, all of your lives almost you have only known the ULP.
In your parents’ time, unemployment was low, poverty was low, crime rate was low and murder rate was almost non-existent. For those in your forties and your parents during the time of the NDP in government that was the St. Vincent and the Grenadines they knew, the society they enjoyed. Fast forward now, ‘leh we talk’ about the last decade.
Never in the history of our country have we had so many young people out of school at home and on the streets with nothing to do, 42% youth unemployment. Never in the history of this country have we had so many people living on less than $14.00 per day…..living in extreme poverty.
Today, our young people are leaving St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the hundreds, leaving to find opportunities in other countries. Never before have we had so many young men killed in the streets. We have been breaking the murder rate records for two years straight. All this is happening while the Prime Minister, Minister of National Security is on his farewell world.
And all of this while our national debt is the highest that it has ever been since settlement and conquest. (Current debt is over $2 billion; debt to GDP ratio is 89 percent; per capita debt is $2 billion divided by 110000). Prime Minister Gonsalves not too long ago quite insensitively quipped that the $600 million loan from Taiwan to fix roads is a hook in the gill of Vincentians …When we are dead and gone, is you the young people who have to repay these loans. The ULP’s strategy for managing this humungous national debt is manifested in its economic ingenuity (I’m being sarcastic here) of borrowing from the NIS to pay back the NIS.
This past decade has seen us brought to our knees as a nation. People have been in despair over the cost of living, and what has been a consistent downturn in the economy. Unemployment is at record levels. Not to mention underemployment, just ask SET employees with their degrees working for $1000 per month, ask them how they feel…they can never be happy….. It is true to say that we have been a nation without hope. A nation in despair.
What have we heard from the ULP government? Promises and promises from the ULP and they have failed to deliver. The ULP government’s evidence of success is successfully dividing our nation. That is the centerpiece of their success. Over and over, the government has been failing and now they want us to believe that failure is success. They want us to believe that this is the best our country can do. Is this the best our young people can hope for?
After a decade of promises, of waiting…..no national stadium. Our national footballers have to play home games in Grenada. After a decade of promises, no indoor sporting facilities, no indoor cultural center….so our artistes must think about running from rain during performances. We have heard your cries young people, and the Cultural Centre will be yours, indoor sporting facilities will come with the NDP in government.
Central to the four pillars of development of our country is a revitalized economy that will push job creation. We must be a nation where new businesses can start up easily, where innovation will be rewarded, where our young people are more than photo ops, and props for empty rhetoric. Can you imagine, it took the Unity Labour Party government 23 years to establish a Prime Ministerial Youth Advisory Committee. After 23 years, you suddenly got an epiphany that you need to be advised about youth. it’s an admission that the ULP administration has failed you.
Empty promises must be left in the past. The last decade of despair must be replaced not just by hope but by action and performance. Young people demand it! We are hearing you! We are listening. “Political Leaders should harness youth to solve nations problems, not to create problems.” The New Democratic Party is the vehicle for change but you the youth must help us move this vehicle forward.
We will actualize the four pillars, which Dr Friday and his team have identified as the foundation for modern development (Agriculture; Tourism; Blue Economy; New/Orange economy). This must be underpinned by relevant and effective local government which will embrace the skills, talents and experience of all Vincentians regardless of your political coloration.
This foundation brings hope for a better life for all Vincentians including you the youth. The NDP is the key for providing more and better paying jobs. The NDP is the key for unlocking endless opportunities in education, sports, culture and entrepreneurship. The NDP is the key for unlocking the door for a safer society where our young men can live to more than 50 years old. The NDP is the key for revitalizing and reenergizing our young population so that they will stay here at home instead of leaving for other countries. The NDP is the key for jump-starting the vehicle of and for change in this country.
We bring you hope. Now join us and let us create the change that is necessary and desirable. Be the change that you deserve and want. Do not be afraid to pursue and bring about that change. Rise, Rise, Rise!
“We cannot always build the future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future.” Franklyn D. Roosevelt 32nd President of the USA.
