The Battle for Change

With agriculture, fisheries, education, and the blue economy at the heart of the debate, voters weigh the ULP’s 25-year record against the NDP’s promises of revitalization and relief

By Jason Alexander, The Sentinel
Orange Hill, September 6, 2025

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, Montgomery Daniel’s name will not be on the North Windward ballot. Daniel, who first entered Parliament in 2001 on a Unity Labour Party (ULP) ticket, has represented the constituency ever since. Over the years, he became one of the most experienced members of Cabinet, serving as Minister of Agriculture—where he was closely identified with programs for rural development and food security—and later rising to Deputy Prime Minister in 2020. With his retirement, the ULP has turned to Grace Walters to carry the mantle.

Walters, a respected professional with a background in community service and development, has begun to make her presence felt. Though she has slipped somewhat in Sandy Bay—a traditional ULP stronghold—she has balanced that with gains in Fancy, Point, and Langley Park challenge is to consolidate the ULP’s base while convincing voters she can continue Daniel’s legacy of leadership north of the dry river.

Her challenger, the New Democratic Party’s Shevern John, brings her own history of grassroots involvement as an educator and community activist. Early polling shows her with the advantage across much of the constituency, but her lead is not yet decisive. Walters’ steady rise has tightened the contest and turned North Windward into one of the most competitive seats of this election.

And this race matters not only for the people of North Windward, but for the entire country. A ULP victory here would help secure a sixth consecutive term in office—amounting to a record-breaking 30 years in power. An NDP victory, on the other hand, would be symbolic of a country ready to turn the page and embrace something new.

The NDP’s message to the people of North Windward has been detailed and pointed. In addition to promises of revitalizing agriculture—through new markets for farmers, credit and grants via a development bank, feeder road construction, irrigation, stronger laws against praedial larceny, and expanded agri-processing—the party is also targeting education and cost of living. They have pledged to expand the Book Loan Scheme, originally introduced under the Honourable Arnim Eustace when he served as Finance Minister, so that more students can access textbooks and learning materials. They point out that the program’s budget has declined under 25 years of ULP rule, and promise to restore its strength.

The NDP also promises to repair schools and government buildings across the island, reduce student loan interest rates, and lower VAT from 16% to 13%, a move they argue would ease food prices and reduce the cost of living. For fishers, the party has spoken of renovating fisheries facilities, equipping fishers with boats, gear, and trawlers, and seizing opportunities in the “blue economy.”

The ULP’s record, meanwhile, is already etched into the landscape: 25 years of governance with visible infrastructure projects, social programs, and continuity of leadership. The choice for voters, therefore, is not only between two new candidates, but between staying with a party that has defined the past quarter century, and moving toward the NDP’s vision of revitalization and relief.

For North Windward, the decision will shape not only the future of their communities—from Rabacca to Fancy—but may well determine the direction of St. Vincent and the Grenadines itself.