By Val Matthias. Updated 12:49 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has urged supporters to focus on rebuilding and strengthening ties with the electorate, emphasizing that the party must not turn against those who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the last election.
Speaking on his Wednesday program, Dr. Gonsalves said, “We can’t be angry with them who left us and went and voted for the NDP or some young people despite all our programs didn’t come to us as first‑time voters. What we do, we let them see that we are an attractive party and that we had a better alternative. We are the alternative. We had a good period in office, an excellent period, and they will put us back in office. But let me not fight the people, let’s work with the people.”
He added that rebuilding requires unity and mutual support within the party and across communities. “As we rebuild, we must know in our rebuilding each of us look out for one another and we are not alone. What we must not do at all is fight the people,” Gonsalves said.
Dr. Gonsalves, who served as Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 2001 until 2025, now leads the opposition following the most recent general election. His Unity Labour Party (ULP) had governed for over two decades, overseeing major infrastructure projects, social programs, and regional diplomacy. The transition to opposition has prompted calls from within the party for renewal and reconnection with voters, particularly younger demographics.
The NDP secured victory in the last election, ending the ULP’s long tenure in office. In his remarks, Gonsalves acknowledged the shift in voter sentiment but stressed that the party’s record in government remains strong and provides a foundation for future political success.
The opposition leader’s comments highlight a strategy of reconciliation and outreach, aiming to rebuild trust and demonstrate that the ULP remains a viable alternative for governance in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
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