If there were any doubts about the credibility of a poll that circulated mid-last year—one that positioned Kishore Shallow as a favoured choice for leadership in St. Vincent and the Grenadines—Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ reaction has only added weight to its accuracy. Since Shallow’s candidacy in North Leeward for the New Democratic Party was announced last September, the Unity Labour Party leader appears to be floundering, resorting to cheap insults in a desperate attempt to steady his increasingly unstable—some might say sinking—political ship.
Shallow has ignited a political supernova, shaking the very foundation of the ruling party and leaving its leadership scrambling for control. The explosion is undeniable, and no amount of staged social media antics—whether it’s dancing, being fed by his wife, or flaunting ties to the recently freed Vybz Kartel—can contain the fallout. In fact, these desperate distractions are only making things worse. The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have had enough of the gimmicks and the recycled rhetoric. They are demanding real change—something fresh, inspiring, and, whether the old guard likes it or not, younger. Gonsalves has ruled for nearly a quarter of a century, but his time is running out. The era of the supernova has begun, and its light is exposing everything that has long been hidden in the shadows.
While some argue that Shallow must first secure his seat and fully establish himself within the New Democratic Party, there is no denying his meteoric rise. His rapid ascent has even sparked calls for him to take the party’s leadership, with many believing he will remove any uncertainty in the minds of those who have not accepted the inevitable defeat of the ULP in the upcoming elections. Credit to Shallow, he has demonstrated his willingness to play a supporting role in the team.
What truly struck me was the overwhelming support the young politician received when Gonsalves launched a bitter campaign to have him removed as President of Cricket West Indies. Desperate and grasping, Gonsalves even attempted to drag other regional leaders into the controversy. Long may good judgment continue on the part of the leaders as they maintain their distance from Gonsalves’ petty and conniving politics. At the very least, the regional leaders should remember that the same President Shallow led a successful T20 World Cup last year that brought many of them immense praise.
At this stage, I almost feel sorry for Gonsalves. The Prime Minister is having shallow sleep—tossing and turning, haunted by the image of Dr Kishore Shallow, the young Coulls Hill native set to unseat Carlos James, who barely scraped by with a single-vote victory in the last election. Gonsalves knows the tide is turning, and his restless nights are only getting worse.
But if I could offer Shallow one piece of advice, it would be this—stay above the fray. Maintain your humility, and don’t let Gonsalves drag you into the mud with his cheap attacks. His desperation is showing, and engaging in his brand of gutter politics would only serve as a distraction from what truly matters.
As for the manufactured controversy about Shallow’s role in Cricket West Indies—there is none. He was elected to lead the regional body, just as he is now seeking to be elected by the people of his homeland. There is no conflict of interest, only a conflict of egos—specifically, Gonsalves’, who cannot stand to see an independent, competent leader rise without his blessing. While some are losing sleep over Shallow’s momentum, he should remain steady, focused, and prepared for the next chapter.
By Mariella Lewis an independent-thinking Vincentian. A returning national from the United Kingdom and retired educator who simply wants to see better for her country!
