KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – More than a century after he grabbed the mace, which represents the British monarch in Parliament, and without which the proceedings cannot take place, Stanley Kendrick “Stalky” John, KC, has been sworn in as the new Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
John succeeds Dame Susan Dougan, who retired from the post on Monday after six years, bringing to an end 50 years of public service, including more than 30 years in education.
At the swearing-in ceremony, John said he is embarking on the new journey, “impressed” by the mood among Vincentians at home and in the diaspora.
“Clearly, we are at the threshold of a new era,” the 74-year-old head of state said during the installation ceremony at Government House.
“You are tired of the focus on partisan rivalries between the political parties, the political tribalism which takes place at the expense of our national interests, you now express a desire to experience a healing of our nation,” said John, a former parliamentary representative for East St. George.
“Hence, you have charged the Honourable Prime Minister and his cabinet, this new administration, all of them committed patriots, to embark on this magnificent venture; fostering of a government for all the people.”
John said the people’s expectations emanate from “a deep desire for an effective, meaningful and civilised manner in which to address the challenges that confront Vincentians in improving the social and economic conditions of our nation.
“In concluding these remarks, I repeat, we are off to a commendable start in that direction; let us pray to Almighty God for guidance and work together as one people, towards achieving this admirable goal,” he said.
John was a senator for the St. Vincent Labour Party (SVLP) from 1984 to 1989, its leader from 1992-94, before becoming the parliamentary representative for East St. George under the Unity Labour Party (ULP) from 1998 to 2001, which governed the island for the past 25 years until it was defeated in the November 27 general elections last year.
But, during his stint as a legislator, John made headlines when he grabbed the mace, which represents the monarch in Parliament, and without which the proceedings cannot take place.
Some political observers have noted the irony of that act, which occurred more than a quarter century before John would become the monarch’s representative in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In 2015, John mounted the platform of the then-opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), and was appointed head of state under the NDP administration that won last November’s poll.
“Today, I feel so humbled as I reflect on the resolve and clarity, which the people of this nation exemplified in exercising their democratic right in the recently held general elections,” John said at the installation ceremony.
He said that what was especially telling was the unanimity of purpose made evident in the impressive mandate they bestowed upon their new administration.
“That command imposes an immense responsibility on those who have been elected and appointed to serve in Parliament and in the executive branch on behalf of the people. The positive feeling of assurance is pervasive, that the Honourable Prime Minister and his Cabinet are off to a brilliant start and will continue to address with earnestness, the legitimate expectations of the populace.”
The Governor General said there is “the expectation that those persons who have been elected and appointed, charged with the important constitutional role of providing the ‘People’s loyal Opposition’, will acquit themselves with aplomb in the authentic traditions of our Westminster-style parliamentary democracy.
“That they will work to keep the government, in all aspects, alert to the proper fulfilment of its obligations to the nation and that they will do so within the parameters of our constitutional processes,” he added.
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