PAM: Citizens’ expectations frustrated since 1995

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Novembr 4th 2009 - The People’s Action Movement is of the firm view that the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis have had their expectations frustrated since 1995 when the Labour Party took office.
 
This is the view expressed by the party’s political Leader, Lindsay Grant, who added that workers’ reasonable expectations for improvements in their quality of life have been also frustrated, if not shattered. He also stated that a return to government by the PAM would certainly aid in eradicating these adversities that the public is faced with.
 
Grant stressed that so desperate is the Douglas-led administration for power that increasingly “persons are driven into poverty and penury with depressing numbers experiencing deterioration in health, unemployment and are victims of criminal conduct”.
 
He claimed that despair pervades the society to such an extent that there are significant incidents of crime among the populace. “Already for 2009 we have had 23 murders with 23 last year, 17 in 2007 and 16 the previous year, and we only have an estimated 45,000 population,” Grant said.
 
“Also, our locals are being abused by a number of overseas employers, and while it is easy for non-nationals to come in and garner land locals are made to pay a higher price. We have also seen the hard work that was made by our fore parents through great sacrifice, determination and unselfish effort including, but not limited to, matters of security of tenure, due process and entitlements to earned benefits,” he added.
 
Grant noted that gang-related activities made its entrance in 1993 when the Labour Party took to the streets and attempted to overthrow an elected government. He said that the actions and encouragement that Dr. Douglas issued to the people to throw bottles and missiles are now as a result of the present alarming murder and crime rate.
 
He pointed out that since the Labour Party entered office in 1995 there has and still continues to be an ongoing struggle  to protect supporters of PAM, and also those who refuse to allow the government to lure them into unethical, unprofessional practices and activities.
 
“We have seen the high exodus of workers who have and continue to be dismissed because of their relationship with PAM, as acts of discrimination and victimization continue to be the order of the day,” Grant said.
 
He said that soon his part would look at producing a list of agencies and companies that are involved in such practices. The party’s Leader stressed that Government has to end its practices of intimidation, while workers and members of the public are encouraged to not align themselves to PAM while suffering other forms of victimization.
 
Grant said that PAM is confident of winning the upcoming federal elections. He said that while Labour continues to preach all eight, he is confident that all eight seats would be captured by PAM, bringing an end to Labour’s reign. 
 
He charged that while the Douglas-led administration continues to seek ways and means from having true democracy, as they are desperate to promote their selfish desires and interests, and their desertion of the working class in their struggle to improve, preserve and safeguard their rights, a new Government would be elected in the PAM.
 
“Our experiences have shown that we have the potential, and our leadership would be successful as we put country above self and will allow the public to judge us as we recognize that experience and great leadership are critically important in the face of adversity,” Grant stressed.