SXMElections.com

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent  –  Lawyer and four-time Member of Parliament, Dr. Godwin Friday, was elected to lead the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), when he garnered the support of his colleagues in a vote on Thursday.

This paves the way for him to be sworn in as leader of the opposition.

This development comes just two days after Arnhim Eustace, who led the NDP since October 2000 and became opposition leader in March 2001, told the NDP’s central committee that he is stepping down from both posts.

Following Friday’s selection, a letter was sent to Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne informing him of the development as well as a communiqué stating that Arnhim Eustace had formally resigned as leader of the opposition.

It was widely speculated that Friday, who along with MP for the Southern Grenadines, Terrance Ollivierre, were elected in March 2001, making them the longest-serving opposition MP’s after Eustace, would have defeated the other two contenders for the position – the MP for Central Kingstown and fellow NPD vice president, St. Clair Leacock and his West Kingstown colleagues, Daniel Cummings.

According to Friday, he is “delighted always to serve”, adding that the selection process has been “very enlightening and rewarding”.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the house when the appointment is formalized by the Governor General, which will be soon.”

Friday also thanked his colleagues “for the confidence they place in me” adding that NDP lawmakers are pledging to continue to work on behalf of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“That’s why we are in Parliament…but I believe we have the potential to rise to the (occasion).