Today we reflect on the life of Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell, a Dominican by birth, who dedicated his life to the full-time service of the Labour Movement of St.Kitts.

Mr Southwell was elected to the Legislative Council in 1952. In 1955 he was appointed to the Executive Council and become the country's first Minister of Communication and Works in 1956. With the advent of the full ministerial system, he was appointed to the office as the first chief Minister of St.Kitts -Nevis-Anguilla in 1960, at a time when several political and economic problems threatened the existence of the masses. In 1967, the three island unit assumed the status of Statehood in Association with the U.K. and he became Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Trade, Development, Industry and Tourism. By May 1978 Mr Southwell was appointed Premier of the State a position which he held until his death in 1979.

Mr Southwell was keenly interested in the Arts and in Sports. He was President of the Mutual Improvement Society in St.Kitts, founder of the State's Arts Festival in 1964, President of the St.Kitts Cricket Association. He may be best remembered for his articulate, long and colourful orations, embellished by the works of William Shakespeare. "A so ee go."