BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 27th 2009 (PAM Secretariat) - Representative for Constituency Three of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Bernard Welch, says that should the Prime Minister (PM) go ahead and make changes to the boundaries without first consulting properly with the people and his party at the appropriate time, the PAM would ensure that any unapproved changes made are repealed.
Welch said that the attempts being made by the Federation’s PM describe his actions as one of his many steps of the entrenchment of dictatorship that is intended to repress and oppress citizens.
“We within the People’s Action Movement have been speaking out about this for a long time and fortunately I am glad that the other political parties are seeing what we saw a long time ago,” Welch lamented.
He said that despite the court issuing orders to the PM and others, his refusal to adhere to the instructions is testimony to the PAM’s prediction that the proposed changes to the boundaries are a ploy to win at the polls. Welch also described the PM’s actions as a precursor to a long line of anti-professional and unethical conduct and behaviour which would rebound to the curtailing of citizens rights.
The PAM’s Constituency Three representative noted that the erosion of residents and citizens rights would continue unabated until the people are prepared to demonstrate their disgust and dissent for the PM at the upcoming elections. He also stressed that there are a number of critically important issues affecting the public, and it is a clear indication that the PM is attempting to remain in office as long as he likes while disregarding the true will of the public.
This, Welch said, is curtailing the rights of the voters in being able to properly elect the representatives of their choice to proper argue and debate on their behalf in parliament. He stated that the public may be forced to take action deemed appropriate if and when the need arises.
“I must say that when one looks at the level of time, then clearly it is intended to intimidate persons of opposing parties as we continue to see a Prime Minister who is even afraid of relinquishing power to even his own colleagues within the Labour party. Therefore, we must recognize the plot of Dr. Douglas to use excessive powers to not only restrict voters from being able to properly elect the representatives of their choice, but also we must not forget that it will roll back or reverse the gains that leaders and our fore parents fought for in the past.”
However, despite all of these concerns, Welch stressed that the PAM did not consider it appropriate at this juncture to mount any vigorous protest action, as it was confident in the court decision and would continue placing its confidence in the court before taking the appropriate actions.
“We respect the courts and will continue to do so. Therefore, we will continue to trust the courts for appropriate decision before moving forward, but I want to reiterate that we are ready and prepared to take whatever action necessary,” Welch declared.
