(Excerpts of Secretary General of the NDP, Brenton Smith’s Presentation at a recently held Public Meeting in East Kingstown)
We have witnessed the struggles faced by those who have been unjustly affected by the government’s Vaccine Mandate. Our brave police officers, our dedicated teachers, our compassionate nurses, doctors, and our committed public servants who have been sidelined and their livelihoods affected.
I also acknowledge young, brilliant professionals who were and continue to be persecuted under this wicked regime, but the NDP will fix it, and I can assure you; better days are coming!
Almost four years ago, I lost my job as a policeman, having served my organization and the wonderful people of this country and visitors alike for over 27 years. I lost my job because I decided not to take the vaccine; as a result, my dreams were shattered. I lost my medical and whole
life insurance, and I had to turn one of my bedrooms into an apartment in order to help take care of my family.
Some of my colleagues lost their homes, cars, their families, and others couldn’t eat properly and make ends meet. We all suffered in more ways than you could ever imagine. My friends Kay and Shanile, two brave professional teachers, understand this fully. But today, I say to you, better days are coming.
My party and a leader you can trust promise that all public servants, teachers, nurses, doctors, and police officers will return to work with full pay and compensation for the evil meted out from the vaccine mandate. As the Major will say, on day one of an NDP government, don’t wait, just return to work..
My people, I wouldn’t have joined this party if I didn’t believe in the policies and the love exhibited to the people of this country. Looking on from the outside, the New Democratic Party, though not perfect, (because I leave perfection to the Almighty), is by far the better choice for leading this country at this time.
Standard of living
The cost of food, Transportation is getting higher each day. Health care especially for our elderly is costly and shameful to say the least. our Utilities are outrageous, gas for our vehicles and Transportation in this country is ridiculous
I am quite certain that you yearn for a better standard of living, but that is not possible under this government. So what do we do? “Get rid of them!”
Police officers
Police officers, my former colleagues, I want to address you directly. Our country has seen an increase in homicide, especially gun-related ones. Even with your best efforts, the government continues to show little or no empathy. Your living and working conditions have been the worst in living memory. Right at Central Police Station, you had to use placards taken away from protestors to save you from the elements. Pigeons do their mess right on your beds, roaches and rats occupying the same space as you. At the Special Services Unit, you had to put mattresses in the roof to prevent the rain from wetting you.
Many outstations such as Chateaubelair, Rose Hall, Layou, and Vermont had to share their space with bats, yet you still have to go out and fight crime and protect our people despite all these ills. How do you feel leaving your decent home to spend so many hours or even days in such working conditions? You deserve much better. This government doesn’t care about you. Under an NDP government, all stations will be repaired or rebuilt so you can better serve our people.
There will be increases in salaries and allowances so you won’t be denied at the bank or be told they have to get a partner in order to get a mortgage at the bank to start your dream homes. We are the lowest paid in the Eastern Caribbean. Are we the worst?
Persons will not have to act for five and even ten years without pay. In fact, in discussions with our next Prime Minister, persons will not act for more than six months, and if they do, they must be paid. Unfair promotions will be a thing of the past, and the Police Service Commission will be allowed to do their work. My people, I say to you, better days are coming.
To our hard men and women of the Auxiliary Police Force, my leader has already made a public pledge to you at an address to the nation. He said that all rural constables, traffic wardens, and tourist police will become pensioners so that you, our heroes, can retire with the peace of mind you have earned through your years of service.
The rural constables will be reemployed with a proper structure of promotions and the necessary resources given to assist the farmers from praedial larceny in our rural communities. This undoubtedly will safeguard our agricultural resources. Oh, how I can’t wait! My friends, I say to you that better days are in fact coming.
Civil Servants and Teachers
To our civil servants and teachers, there is a rumor going about by persons in the government telling you that an NDP government will fire you. Let me say this again: I was fired and I know what it feels like, the hardships that comes with it. The NDP believes in creating employment for all Vincentians, so I say to you that will never happen. Don’t believe the lies from desperate men and women who care nothing about you but rather about themselves and their families.
Dr. Friday said to me one time when we were driving along a back street, “Brenton, I can’t wait to become Prime Minister to increase salaries and back pay at the end of the year for our hardworking public servants, teachers, and police officers.” As a past union man, it was the best thing coming to my ears. I too can’t wait to see the smiles on the people’s faces. I can’t wait to see how civilized negotiations between the government and the unions will be like. My people, I say better days are coming.