Thursday, February 16, 2012

Ralph Gonsalves

Ralph Everard Gonsalves (born 8 August 1946), also known as "Comrade Ralph", is the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP). Gonsalves became Prime Minister after his party won a majority government in the 2001 general election. He is the first Prime Minister from the newly constructed ULP, following a merger of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Labour Party and the Movement for National Unity.

Gonsalves has been Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of North Central Windward since 1994. In 1994, upon the formation of the Unity Labour Party he became deputy leader, and became leader of the party in 1998.

Gonsalves' ULP won another majority government in 2005 general election, winning 12 seats.

On 13 December 2010, Gonsalves' ULP was re-elected, showing a decrease in the popular vote and winning 8 seats.

Early Life and Education

Gonsalves was born in Colonarie, Saint Vincent, British Windward Islands to Theresa (née Francis) and Alban Gonsalves. He attended Colonarie Roman Catholic School, and later the St Vincent Boys' Grammar School. Gonsalves then enrolled at the University of the West Indies, where he completed a bachelor's degree in economics. He later returned there to earn a master's degree in government, which he completed in 1971. In 1974 he completed a PhD in government at the University of Manchester. Gonsalves was called to the degree of utter barrister at Gray’s Inn in London in 1981.

Personal Life

Gonsavles is married to Eloise Harris. He has three sons, Camillo, Adam and Storm, and two daughters, Isis and Soleil.