Bramble acknowledges complaints from NDP supporters over ‘fair share’ 

By Val Matthias. Updated 6:19 a.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

A senior government minister has acknowledged that some supporters of the governing New Democratic Party believe they are not getting their “fair share” under the administration, while insisting that the government is committed to treating people equally.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and East Kingstown parliamentary representative Fitzgerald Bramble was responding to a listener on the Voices programme on WE FM on Monday, October 19.

The listener, asked whether Mr Bramble believed NDP supporters were getting a fair share, saying some people did not believe they were.

Mr Bramble initially questioned what was meant by a “fair share”, saying the term would need to be defined.

But he went on to defend the government’s record, saying the administration led by Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday is an “all-inclusive government”.

He said he did not believe the government was ostracising anyone or giving people an unfair advantage.

Mr Bramble acknowledged, however, that the government’s actions could appear differently to some people.

“It may appear so to some people in certain instances and on certain occasions,” he said, adding that people interpret events differently.

The minister also revealed that he had received conflicting feedback.

He said some people had told him they were pleased that the NDP government was not behaving like the previous Unity Labour Party administration, which they believed “only looked out for their own. “Bramble we heard the talks

But Mr Bramble also acknowledged that the government has heard the opposite view that it is not looking out for NDP supporters. He said those concerns cannot simply be dismissed. “We can’t ignore the sentiments of people,”

Mr Bramble said, adding that wherever there is room for improvement, the government will continue to try to improve. Bramble, we heard the talks

The comments touch on an issue that featured prominently in the NDP’s campaign for government.

In October 2025, then Opposition Leader Dr Godwin Friday promised that there would be no political victimisation under an NDP administration.

Speaking ahead of the November 2025 general election, Dr Friday said people who did not support the NDP should not fear losing their jobs if the party won. He said everyone would benefit from an NDP government. 

The NDP subsequently won the election and replaced the ULP after 24 years in office.

The question of how the new administration would treat supporters of the former government was raised again early in the NDP’s term.

In February, Tourism Minister and North Leeward MP Dr Kishore Shallow told constituents that the government would not follow what he described as the ULP’s path of political victimisation.

He acknowledged that NDP supporters were anxious for employment opportunities but appealed for patience, saying the government was working towards creating opportunities for everyone. 

The language used by Bramble also echoes comments made by Deputy Prime Minister St Clair Leacock earlier this year.

While discussing the 2026 Budget, Leacock said the government faced limited resources and had not been able to address every constituency need immediately.

But he said “Everybody will get a fair share of the cake.”

He said the administration would have to manage resources carefully while continuing to look after Vincentians. 

The issue has remained politically sensitive, particularly because allegations of political victimisation have continued to surface since the change of government.

In September, former Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves alleged that political interference was behind the cancellation of lecturing arrangements involving attorney Sehon Marshall and former Senator Shackell Bobb at the Community College.

Gonsalves described the treatment of the two attorneys as political victimisation. Those were allegations by the opposition leader and do not, by themselves, establish that political interference occurred. 

The broader question of political victimisation has also been debated publicly within the NDP itself, with calls for the new administration to protect workers from political reprisals while maintaining accountability in the public service. 

Against that backdrop, Bramble’s response is notable because he did not dismiss the complaints from NDP supporters.

Instead, he acknowledged that some supporters believe they are being overlooked, while maintaining that this is not the government’s policy.

His position is that perceptions of unfairness exist, but that the administration is not deliberately excluding people.

For a government that came to office promising inclusion and an end to political victimisation, the issue could become an increasingly important test of whether its supporters believe those promises are being delivered.

And Bramble’s admission that “we’ve heard” complaints from NDP supporters gives the issue a new political dimension, the debate is no longer only about accusations from the opposition, but also about expectations among some of the government’s own supporters.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]