Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Jamaican Member of Parliament Rhoda Crawford has sparked debate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) after advocating for a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) during a speech on International Women’s Day. Speaking at a political event, Crawford compared Jamaica’s system—where all MPs receive equal funding to serve their constituencies—to the situation in SVG, where opposition MPs do not benefit from similar financial allocations.
Crawford, a government MP in Jamaica, explained that her country’s CDF was introduced under former Prime Minister Bruce Golding to ensure that all MPs, regardless of party affiliation, have resources to address the needs of their constituents. She emphasized that the fund prevents opposition MPs from being at a disadvantage and allows them to provide critical services to the people they represent.
“In Jamaica, every MP—whether government or opposition—receives the same basic allocations to represent and look after their constituents,” Crawford stated. “That is not the reality in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
She highlighted that opposition MPs in SVG, including Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday, operate without government funding and must rely on personal resources or donations to assist their communities. Crawford praised NDP candidates like Major Leaccok and Shevern John for their commitment, noting that they are serving their constituencies despite having no financial backing from the state.
Her remarks have echoed the cry of Major St Clair Leaccok representative of Central Kingstown, who has been calling for the Constituency Development Fund. Supporters of a Constituency Development Fund in SVG argue that it would ensure all elected representatives—regardless of political party—can effectively serve their constituents.
The issue of political financing and resource allocation remains a contentious topic in SVG, and Crawford’s comments could further fuel the conversation about whether a CDF model should be introduced to create a more level playing field.
