In one of the most dramatic political shifts in the history of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the New Democratic Party (NDP) secured a landslide victory in the general elections held on November 27, 2025. The party, led by Dr Godwin Friday, won 14 of the 15 parliamentary seats, ending the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 24-year governance under outgoing Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
The result marks the most decisive electoral change since the NDP’s historic 1989 clean sweep, and it ushers in a new era of national leadership. Dr Friday, who has represented the Northern Grenadines since 2001 and has led the NDP since 2016, now becomes the country’s new prime minister, taking office with an overwhelming mandate for change.
The ULP, which had dominated Vincentian politics since 2001, was reduced to a single seat retained by Dr Gonsalves himself. His long tenure, which spanned five consecutive election victories, shaped much of the nation’s modern development, from infrastructure expansion to disaster response. However, widespread concerns over the rising cost of living, unemployment, and voter fatigue with prolonged incumbency provided momentum for the opposition’s promises of renewal.
The NDP campaigned heavily on economic revitalisation, job creation, and the restoration of public confidence in governance. Their message resonated strongly with an electorate seeking a new direction. Friday’s victory signals not only a shift in political leadership but also a renewed sense of possibility for citizens eager for policies that meet today’s economic and social challenges.
As the new government begins work, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enters a fresh chapter, one shaped by high public expectations and the hope that long-awaited change has truly arrived.
