Pm : “Do not stay home, do not grumble, do not let vanity get the better of you” 

By Val Matthias. Updated 11:52 a.m., Wednesday, November 26th, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves capped off the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) campaign with a finale rally at Richmond Hill on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, delivering a message that combined gratitude, reassurance, and a call for unity. 

Gonsalves, contesting his 11th general election since independence, reminded Vincentians of his decades of service, declaring: “For the last 57 years of my life I have dedicated it to the upliftment of our Caribbean civilization and its Vincentian component.” He urged voters to “lift him up and keep him there,” stressing that personal grievances or vanities should not derail the collective mission of national progress. 

The Prime Minister appealed to those who may have drifted away from Labour to “come back home,” warning that even a handful of votes could determine the outcome. “Do not stay home, do not grumble, do not let vanity get the better of you,” he said, underscoring the importance of every ballot in securing political stability. 

Highlighting his government’s record, Gonsalves pointed to unemployment falling from 25% in 2001 to under 9% today, poverty reduced to 4%, and near-universal access to electricity, piped water, and internet. He noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has climbed the UN Human Development Index, now ranking ahead of Jamaica, Belize, Suriname, and Saint Lucia.

Looking ahead, he promised continued transformation, envisioning SVG reaching “first world status” within 15 years. “By then, living in London, Paris, New York, or Toronto will be no better than ours,” he said.

Gonsalves also accused the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) of attempting of trying to buy votes by encouraging ballot photography, he sided that “voters are told to take a photo of their vote for the NDP and they will be paid  , he further said that this has been reported to the Supervisor of Elections , who would soon be making an announcement  on this matter.

Closing on a note of reassurance, he told supporters: “Whatever pain you may have, that peace will be,” promising that Labour would continue to lift SVG higher. He framed the election as a choice between stability and uncertainty, declaring: “Promises made, promises kept. Promises made, promises kept by the comrade and the Labour Union.” 

With the rally serving as the final show of strength before Thursday’s polls, Gonsalves positioned the ULP as the party of stability, prosperity, and national pride, while urging Vincentians to unite behind him once more.

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