Amid political tribalism, nepotism and calls for a meritocracy, New Democratic Party’s (NDP’s) North Leeward candidate Dr Kishore Shallow is calling a better brand of representative politics, and he is hopeful of an election victory for his party to demonstrate to the Vincentian people.
Shallow’s call came as he addressed a political rally at Sion Hill to mark the re-opening of the NDP’s East Kingstown political campaign office last Saturday night.
“… as the youngest candidate, I take full responsibility and I take it very seriously to speak on behalf of every young Vincentian in our country. And I say this with great conviction, observing the way this government, the Unity Labour Party, has been operating for the last 25 years – and I know my young people agree with me when I say that – you need a better brand of politics in this country,” Shallow said.
Shallow, a business and technology consultant, and sports administrator, is a first-time political candidate.
As an advocate for youth development, he is hoping to expose young people, including those who have yet to see another party governing, to a different brand of politics.
“I say that we need a brand of politics in this country that is people-centric and youth-focused. I say that we need a brand of politics in this country with mature leadership like Dr (Godwin) Friday as opposed to looking over and degrading other people. We need a brand of politics in this country where we no longer promote partisanship and division with our people.
“And I say to you again with confidence that we need a brand of politics that not only in the last few months before elections, the government is going to come to you and try to solve your needs to get the vote back. We need a better brand of politics than that,” he said.
Shallow said he and his party have engaged the people and are aware that what they want are more and better paid jobs, a “safer country similar to what our grandparents enjoyed then, to be part of a country where every single one can strive and thrive, and to restore the country “where we can go and brag to the rest of the world that we are proud to be Vincentians.”
Shallow commended Dr Friday, the political leader, for empowering him as a young professional to develop the new economic policy for this country.
“And with me, we have one of the leading minds in the entire region within information technology, Philip Jackson, who represent them for Marriaqua,” he said. And together, we have put together what we believe is a robust and comprehensive policy that is going to see us enjoying the potential that exists for the new economy and the young people of our country. You’re talking about opportunities in digitalization.
“It means job creation. It means better paid job and it means convenient where you could stay at home and work and still earn money comfortably. It also means that we are going to adapt and embrace artificial intelligence, as we call it, AI, because it is critical, especially if we want to be more productive and more efficient with everything we do. This also means more and better paid jobs.”
Shallow stressed the importance of the new economy, a billion-dollar industry, that will create greater opportunities for young, talented Vinentians.
“There are billions of dollars waiting for us. And we have the potential and the capability to tap into that.
“And so, the creatives in our country, the young people who have great talents, they will have the opportunities to tap into that and earn and earn very well,” Shallow said.
Shallow said that Dr. Friday and his “competent, hard-working team,” will transform St Vincent and the Grenadines so that the people have better and higher-paid jobs.
“You are going to feel safe again because we have Major (St Clair) Leacock going to lead us in crime-fighting. You are going to see better sport and performance because we are going to ensure that you have the right tools to improve your skills. And importantly, you are going to see and enjoy a prosperous and progressive SVG,” he said.
Shallow said that whenever the election bell is rung, whenever the Prime Minister announc6se the date, voters must”remember one thing” – “we have to stand in this fight together, we have to remain in this thing together because it’s a serious fight.”
“And I tell you what, once we fight together, we are going to win together,” Shallow said.
