GULP GETTING READY

The leadership of Grenada United Labour Party intends to lift the standard of politics in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. GULP, under the leadership of Gloria Payne Banfield, has passed a resolution agreeing to uphold and abide by the highest standards of good behaviour, in the Party and in politics.

With general elections around the corner, GULP intends to publish its Code of Conduct, to be followed by GULP candidates, party members and followers during the election campaign and by GULP Ministers and parliamentary representatives. GULP political leader, Gloria Payne Banfield, is unyielding regarding the topic of good behaviour and proper moral standards, in the party and in politics as a whole.

In its Code of Conduct the GULP will incorporate and build on the guidelines recommended by the "Social Partners" for the conduct of the 1999 general election. Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Conference of Churches, Grenada, Trade Union Council, Inter-Agency Group of Development Organisation, Media Workers Association, National Initiative for Prolific Policy, UWI Guild of graduates, Friends of the Earth and Grenada Bar Association under the umbrella "Social Partners," recommended that political parties and candidates for election to parliament should:

* Address themselves to issues and principles dealing with national growth, and development and the real concerns of the people.

* Refrain from the use of half-truths, lies, innuendoes and bribes to gain political advantage.

* Refrain from the use of race, country of origin, religion and class to mobilise support or to vilify any individual, family or section of the community.

* Refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in character assassination.

* Refrain from saying or doing anything to incite, encourage or foster hatred, resentment or any form of violence, but rather to do everything to promote tolerance, harmony and peace.

* Maintain the highest moral principles and ethics during the campaign, the elections and afterwards.

* Ensure that chairpersons of all political campaign events appeal for peaceful behaviour.

* Co-operate with the police in maintaining law and order.

* Ensure that where political meetings are held at roadsides, vehicles are allowed to pass freely.

* Ensure that political campaign events end by 10.00 p.m.

*Respect hours of religious service and not disrupt them.

* Refrain from defacing public and private buildings and structures.

* Ensure that the rights of private property are respected.

* Ensure that Party leaders maintain open lines of communication.

* Maintain the letter and spirit of the Constitution and Laws of Grenada that govern elections and the election campaign.

The Executive Council of the Grenada United Labour Party by resolution has accepted these guidelines, intends to abide by them and recommends that all political parties, candidates and the public as a whole, accept them as part of a General Code of Conduct to be applied in the politics and the governance of the nation.

 The GULP leadership pledges to distance the party from conduct, which falls short of the party's code of conduct.