(Presentation by Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday on the top 5 Priorities of the NDP)
“Over the years, and especially in recent months, I have travelled all over our beautiful country, visiting all 15 constituencies, towns and villages big and small. We can all agree, we have a beautiful country with tremendous potential.
God has truly blessed us. Wherever I go, I talk with homeowners, with farmers, teachers, business owners, fisherfolk, ordinary people. And the message from them is the same: we want a government that will look out for us and deliver for the people. That is not too much to expect; and it is not too much to ask for from a government.
My objective is simple, but powerful: I want to lead a government that delivers real benefits and sustainable progress for our people and country. We have the potential to become one of the best countries in the world in which to live, work or start a business and raise a family. Yes, we are small, but we can do remarkable things for our people.
However, it is very important that we recognize and understand where we are now. Unfortunately, our country is on the wrong path and is going in the wrong direction. Too many of our people do not have jobs. Too many of our young people leave the country because they can’t find work. Too many of our people are victims of crime. Wages and salaries are too low and the cost of living continue to rise daily, so people cannot make ends meet. We see this every day.
Let’s face it: the ULP is not able to get the job done!
After 23 years in power, they are out of touch, out of ideas and lack the energy to deliver what the country needs now. They have promised in the past more jobs and economic growth and have not delivered. Ask yourself this simple question: if the ULP government has not delivered for you after 23 years in power, do you believe they can do so in the next 5 years? Do you believe they would be interested in doing so? I don’t!
The challenges facing us are serious and real. Hence. so too is the choice before us and the decisions we have to make. We have the potential to be better, and the capacity to do more for our country.
The change so many people ask for is defined by delivering real and tangible progress for our country on the things that matter to you. We believe in action and progress that you can see with your own eyes and feel in your daily lives.
I want to lead a government of progress; one of action not of sweet but empty talk. You want a government that is focused on you. I understand that. It is time that you had a government that did too. The present government does not focus on you; they seem to have their own priorities, and do things they like, but not what matters most to you.
I promise this: if you elect me and choose an NDP government, I will spend every day working to improve the lives of all our people, all of our people, regardless of political background.
Our priorities for the country are clear. They are:
1) To create more and better paid jobs.
2) To build a strong economy that provides opportunity for all.
3) To make our country safe again.
4) To provide healthcare we can trust.
5) To improve our roads and other public infrastructure.
Conclusion
You will hear more from us about how we intend to address these five national priorities. We will be honest and straightforward with you about how an NDP government will deliver real and lasting progress on these key issues. Most importantly, we want to hear from you too. So, friends, let’s talk.
Young people, this is your time too. I want to hear more from all of you so that we can know better how we should go forward. We have a tremendous opportunity to become a country that delivers for all of our people; one that provides opportunity for young people and helps our wonderful ambitious people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams here in St Vincent and the Grenadines. With your support, we will form the next government, deliver for our people and make our country better.”
Combatting Crime
Vincentians are yet to hear from the ULP government its plan to address the serious crime situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Instead, the government has tried desperately to shift the discussion from crime, which was initiated following the erection of the NDP’s billboard which highlights the crime situation in the country, but it has failed.
Research has shown that there is a correlation between poverty, unemployment and crime. We believe that our high rate of unemployment and poverty are leading contributors to the current crime situation in the country.
The NDP has a plan to reduce the levels of crime by addressing its root cause and investing in the police. Our Recommendations:
Put more resources for frontline police programmes to directly tackle gun crime.
Have closer collaboration with international law enforcement to cut the supply of weapons into our country.
More work programmes to divert persons off the street and into productive work.
Introduce forensic laboratory services to expedite investigation and prosecution of offences and thereby eliminate the backlog of criminal cases.
The Prime Minister should transfer the role of Minister of National Security to someone who has the time. He does not have the time nor capacity to deal with this and gives it the focus it needs.
Combatting crime is not just for the police; it is everybody’s business. It requires us to work together at all levels to succeed.