The incumbent United Labour Party (ULP) of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves narrowly defeated the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) of Amhim Eustace in St. Vincent’s general elections staged yesterday (December 13, 2010). The pre-election campaigning was heated and very divisive with the ULP promising to continue building on the progress that was made under the party’s stewardship and identifying Prime Minister Gonsalves as the best person to lead St. Vincent out of the present economic recession while the opposition NDP campaigned on returning good government to the people of St. Vincent, commented unfavorably about Prime Minister Gonsalves ties to leftist leaning governments of China, Iran, Libya and Venezuela and vowing to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) and have it removed on many food items if they were voted into office. The opposition NDP, which had only 3 seats in the 15 seat House of Assembly before the elections, was able to put in a strong showing at the polls, increasing their tally to 7 seats. The incumbent NLP, which enjoyed a 12 seat majority before the last election had that whittled down to 8 seats, giving them victory by a mere 1 seat. After the preliminary election results were given, Prime Minister Gonsalves extended the olive branch to the opposition and made a plea to the Vincentian populace for national healing and togetherness after a bitter and hard-fought election campaign. Prime Minister Gonsalves, who has led the ULP to victory at the polls three times, now has to take a long hard look at his party and identify the factors that have led to his reduced majority in the St. Vincent’s House of Assembly. On the other hand, the opposition NDP may now have to take a look at its leadership and make a decision as to whether Mr. Eustace, who is now 65 years old, is the one to lead the party during the next elections constitutionally due in the next five years.