KINGSTOWN, St Vincent –The main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), on Saturday, launched its manifesto for the November 5 general elections, with party leader, Godwin Friday, saying the document outlines “a programme for us to go forward”.
“The Unity Labour Party (ULP) have had their day, they have let you down over and over again,” Friday, a four-term MP for the Northern Grenadines, who is leading the NDP into general elections for the first time, told party supporters at a rally in Petit Bordel.
“They have made promises and they had no intention to keep and know what they will do, will come and they make all kinds of promises,” Friday said of the Ralph Gonsalves-led ULP, which is seeking an unprecedented fifth five-year term in office.
He said the ULP has said that its manifesto, which was scheduled to be launched Sunday, was going to be even longer than the 2015 document.
“Well, everybody knows that Ralph likes to talk long. So that is not unsurprising,” Friday said of ULP leader, Prime Minster Ralph Gonsalves.
“But the point is, the longer a manifesto is, the more it shows you that they have all these things that they should have done in the last 20 years and they have failed to do.
“It is an indictment on them to say that they have all these things that they have not done for the people of this country. And it will tell you as well, that they will make promises, they will say anything to try and get your vote”
The opposition leader said that the ULP would fail in its efforts to woo electors, saying, “… the people of this country have seen through them.
“Now is the moment that we have a choice to make. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to move forward into our future. Give my team and me the chance to take this country into the future. We have the vision and we have the plan. We will create jobs for our people, our young people. They need hope, and we will generate this for them,” Friday said.
The 76-page document, which is also available online, is dubbed “Our Plan to Get SVG Working”, echoes the NDP mantra of “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!” for Vincentians. It captures, on page 7, in bullet points, “10 Reasons to Vote NDP”, the first being, “We have a long-term plan to create new, sustainable jobs and reduce unemployment”.
The document says that an NDP administration will “create opportunities so our young people can succeed here, build a home and raise a family”.
The party also restated its plan to immediately reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 16% to 13% and remove it entirely from essential foods and medicines and review import duties and procedures.
The NDP also says it has “a plan to make it easier to do business in the country and to support local businesses so they can grow and hire more local people.
The party has also promised to back the nation’s fisher folk with new equipment and boats; and farmers with access to land, credit and markets to revive these crucial sectors.
The document begins with a foreword, in which Friday said that the NDP has “a clear plan and the determination to build a better St. Vincent and Grenadines for our future.
“For too long, a lack of economic opportunities has seen many of our people leave for opportunities in Canada, USA, UK and other countries. Many are lost to our islands and never return,” he stated.
The opposition leader said that in SVG, cost of living is rising, and it is hard to make ends meet. We need jobs and incomes to look after our families.
“In the NDP we are passionate about building a country that works for everyone and where everyone who wants to work can.”
He said that the NDP’s plan will create better conditions, which mean Vincentians are happy to stay.
The manifesto was launched at a rally that was preceded by a singing competition among artists who sang songs in support of the NDP. (CMC)
