By Jason Alexander
Sentinel Research Group
North Leeward is once again in the national spotlight. Only this time, the story is not about how close the race is. It is about how quickly the tide is turning.
Five years ago, Carlos James, lawyer, journalist, and now Minister of Tourism, claimed victory in this critical seat by a single vote, the slimmest margin in Vincentian electoral history. The nickname “One Vote” stuck, not as a mark of pride, but as a constant reminder of how precarious the Unity Labour Party’s hold on the constituency has been.
Now, James faces a contender like no other: Dr. Kishore Shallow, the New Democratic Party candidate, whose background, poise, and leadership have captured the imagination of an entire nation. He is not just challenging for a seat. He is reshaping how many Vincentians view political service.
Carlos James has made his mark as a young, articulate politician. He has worked hard, both in Parliament and in the Ministry of Tourism, earning a reputation for engagement and communication. But the challenges in North Leeward persist: rising youth unemployment, poor infrastructure, economic decline in once-thriving communities, and a general sense that the area has been overlooked for far too long.
Enter Dr. Kishore Shallow.
Born in Couls Hill, a working-class community in the heart of North Leeward, Shallow’s journey is the stuff of legend. He rose from local cricket administration to become president of the SVG Cricket Association, then president of the Windward Islands Cricket Board, and later, president of Cricket West Indies — re-elected unopposed and unanimously in 2025, despite a direct campaign against him led by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA, and a BSc in Applied Business Computing. His leadership of Cricket West Indies has been widely praised for its emphasis on governance, reform, and results.
What makes his story even more profound is this: Shallow has achieved all of this without the physical presence of his parents, both of whom have passed. The strength he displays in their absence is not only a reflection of their success in raising him. It is also a reflection of his own deep reserves of resilience, discipline, and inner fire.
A recent image of Dr. Shallow seated in discussion with regional prime ministers on the future of the CBI program has quietly but powerfully shifted perceptions. It was not just a photograph. It was a symbol. A Vincentian professional, not in the background, but at the centre of regional dialogue. It is the kind of stature few candidates ever achieve before even entering Parliament.
In a time when leadership often feels superficial, Shallow is a phenomenon. Grounded. Accomplished. Purpose-driven.
A Sentinel Research Group poll conducted in April 2025 shows that Shallow is not just competitive. He is dominant. He leads James in every major polling district across North Leeward.
Poll Results — April 2025
Voter support in key areas:
Couls Hill – Shallow 59 percent, James 36 percent
Chateaubelair – Shallow 52 percent, James 42 percent
Fitz Hughes – Shallow 56 percent, James 39 percent
Petit Bordel – Shallow 60 percent, James 35 percent
Spring Village – Shallow 54 percent, James 41 percent
Even in areas previously seen as ULP territory, the numbers show a deep shift in public sentiment. North Leeward voters appear ready not just for a change of representative, but for a change in direction. And they are not alone.
This is more than a local contest. North Leeward has become the front line in a national movement. A constituency once too close to call is now possibly the first domino in a broader political shift.
For Carlos James, this is a fight for political survival. For Kishore Shallow, it is a platform for service, with momentum behind it.
Either way, North Leeward will decide more than one man’s future. It may very well reflect where the nation is quietly headed.
Sentinel Research Group
Tracking tides. Testing truth. Telling what matters.
