What was intended to be a warm and unifying diaspora address by veteran Consul General Rondy “Luta” McIntosh in Brooklyn last week instead evolved into an uncomfortable public moment — one that many observers interpreted as a plea for continued appointment, raising questions about diplomatic dignity and the posture of the country’s new administration.
McIntosh was speaking at the Vincentian-American Independent National Charities (VINCI) pre-Christmas gala on Sunday, December 7, when he openly acknowledged uncertainty surrounding his future as Consul General to the United States, a post he has held since 2022.
That appointment was made under the former Unity Labour Party (ULP) government led by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, which was decisively voted out of office in the November 27 general election. McIntosh’s address was delivered on behalf of the incoming New Democratic Party (NDP) administration headed by Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday. While the speech struck a conciliatory tone, its underlying message was unmistakable: hope for re-appointment.
“It is a profound honour to join you…and I bring you greetings on behalf of…our new government,” McIntosh told the audience, before candidly noting that he did not yet know whether he would remain in the role.
For seasoned observers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ political and diplomatic traditions, the remarks were jarring. Public expressions of uncertainty — framed in a manner that some perceived as an appeal — ran counter to long-standing norms governing diplomatic conduct.
A Diplomat on Bended Knee?
Diplomats serve at the discretion of the government of the day, but their mandate is to project confidence, continuity, and national dignity — not to publicly seek validation for their tenure. One diaspora activist, speaking privately to Cliplet News, described the moment bluntly as “a diplomat begging for work.”
To his credit, McIntosh spoke at length about the value of the Vincentian diaspora and praised organisations such as VINCI for their role in community building and national support. Those remarks were well received.
However, by repeatedly referencing his uncertain status and linking his future to the goodwill of the new administration, the Consul General shifted focus from the office he holds to the position he hopes to keep. In doing so, critics argue, diplomacy itself appeared less a professional calling and more a public appeal.
Unanswered Questions About Government Direction
The NDP government has so far remained silent on its plans for diplomatic appointments abroad. Whether McIntosh will be retained, reassigned, or replaced remains unclear.
That silence has produced an unusual spectacle: a senior diplomat, still in office, publicly acknowledging his limbo and implicitly making the case for continuity. Traditionally, outgoing or replaced consular officials exit quietly, with successors announced through formal channels. The absence of clarity has instead left both the diaspora and the diplomat himself openly speculating.
Community Reaction: Pride or Discomfort?
Reaction within the Vincentian diaspora has been mixed.
Many continue to credit McIntosh for outreach efforts and maintaining close ties with Vincentians across the United States. Others, however, expressed discomfort at what they viewed as a public “résumé moment” — one that blurred the line between professional service and political positioning.
“Diplomats represent the country, not a party,” said one long-time Vincentian resident in New York, who asked not to be named. “They should stand tall, not stand up to beg.”
Looking Ahead
As St. Vincent and the Grenadines navigates its political transition, the handling of diplomatic appointments will be closely watched both locally and internationally. Decisions taken — or delayed — will signal how the new administration intends to project professionalism, continuity, and national pride abroad.
In the meantime, McIntosh’s remarks — whether intended as transparency or reassurance — have ignited a broader conversation about diplomatic decorum in times of political change. It is a conversation that may well shape expectations for those entrusted to represent the nation beyond its shores.
This article is a commentary and analysis piece that raises questions regarding diplomatic conduct and public communication. It does not state or quote Rondy “Luta” McIntosh as begging for another term as Consul General. Readers are encouraged to engage with the article in full and distinguish between analysis, opinion, and direct attribution.
