CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque “The winning of a fifth consecutive term is not only a unique accomplishment in democratic practice, but demonstrates clearly that the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have the utmost confidence in the leadership you have provided over the years and in your vision for their future.,” the Secretary-General said in his congratulatory message. 

“As the longest serving Head of Government in the Community, you have demonstrated throughout your tenure an unequivocal commitment to regional integration from which the Community and, indeed, I have benefitted,” the Secretary-General added.

Ambassador LaRocque also commended the Vincentian Government and People for successfully conducting the Elections notwithstanding the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You can be assured Prime Minister, of the support of the staff of the Secretariat and I, as you continue to work towards improving the lives of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Caribbean Community,” the CARICOM Secretary-General said.

Prime Minister Gonsalves led his Unity Labour Party (ULP)  to a 9-6 victory in the 5 November Elections. This followed victories in the 2015, 2010, 2005 and 2001 Elections.  

The 74 year old Gonsalves easily won his North Central Windward seat he has been representing since 1994, brushing aside his two contenders - Chieftain Neptune of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) and Kadmiel McFee of the CVG Green Party.

He defeated first-time candidate Chieftain Neptune, of the NDP, by 2,853 votes to 886, while Kadmeal McFee, one of two candidates fielded by the SVG Green Party, got 10 votes.

In securing a fifth term in office, the ULP dashed the hopes of  61 year old NDP leader Godwin Friday’s hopes of becoming the nation’s fifth prime minister. Friday, however, secured a fifth consecutive term as MP for the Northern Grenadines, defeating first-time candidate, Carlos Williams, of the ULP, 2,123 votes to 458 in the traditional NDP stronghold.

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