Ralph Gonsalves
Ralph Everard Gonsalves (born 8 August 1946) is a Vincentian politician. He is currently the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP).
Ralph Gonsalves | |
|---|---|
Gonsalves in 2023 | |
| 4th Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| Assumed office 28 March 2001 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Governors‑General | Charles Antrobus Monica Dacon (Acting) Frederick Ballantyne Susan Dougan |
| Deputy | Girlyn Miguel (2010–2015) Louis Straker (2015–2020) Montgomery Daniel (2020–) |
| Preceded by | Arnhim Eustace |
| Leader of the Unity Labour Party | |
| Assumed office 6 December 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Beache |
| Chairman of the Caribbean Community | |
| In office 1 July 2020 – 30 December 2021 | |
| Secretary-General | Irwin LaRocque |
| Preceded by | Mia Mottley |
| Succeeded by | Keith Rowley |
| In office 1 January 2014 – 30 June 2014 | |
| Secretary-General | Irwin LaRocque |
| Preceded by | Kamla Persad-Bissessar |
| Succeeded by | Gaston Browne |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 28 March 2001 – 10 November 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Arnhim Eustace |
| Succeeded by | Camillo Gonsalves |
| Member of Parliament for North Central Windward | |
| Assumed office 1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 August 1946 Colonarie, Saint Vincent, British Windward Islands (now Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) |
| Political party | Unity Labour Party |
| Spouse | Eloise Harris |
| Alma mater | University of the West Indies University of Manchester Inns of Court School of Law |
Gonsalves is the longest continuously serving head of government since St. Vincent and the Grenadines became independent in 1979. He became prime minister after his party won a majority government in the 2001 general election. He was 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.
With Gonsalves as leader, the ULP won a majority in the popular vote in every general election from 1998 through 2015, though it failed to secure the majority of parliamentary seats in the 1998 election. In 2020, the ULP won the election, but did not win the popular vote. On 7 November 2020, Gonsalves was sworn in for his fifth term as prime minister.