BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 7, 2009 (Labour Secretariat) - It is important in the name of democracy that truth be always allowed to dispel darkness. Today, 7 December, 2009, the PAM Secretariat has released a story putting forward baseless allegations to seek to discredit me and my candidacy.
The story has made serious allegations that seek to unfairly raise doubt about my fitness for office. It also sought to rehash the votes of the people in 2004. Mr. Hamilton already took matters of that election to court and lost but never sought to overturn the results, knowing that they were a true and accurate reflection of the will of the people. Mr. Hamilton's never proved election fraud and his lawyers never questioned me while I was on the stand. The court awarded me cost for the time wasted in the process. I am still awaiting payment from Mr. Hamilton. This matter was clearly settled in the court so bickering about that now in 2009 is simply a means to whip up sympathies for his failed campaign.
I encourage Mr. Hamilton to bring evidence that I operate from ‘a platform of fear, bribery, discrimination and victimization.’ Until he is able to provide evidence, Mr. Hamilton is seeking to smear my character for the sake of cheap political mileage. And while I agree with his statement that the elections ought to be won on issues, I must add the attributes of truth and justice, which are seriously lacking from his statements and his overall candidacy, are equally important.
The record of Cedric Liburd in politics has never been about discrimination and victimization. The hallmark of my candidacy is the empowerment of people. Over the past 14 years the lives of the people of Constituency 8 has been transformed for the better. There have been improvements in education, sporting facilities, community development, healthcare, infrastructure, and overall increases in the standards of living of my constituents.
If, like me, Mr. Hamilton desires that we continue to build on these accomplishments, then I along with all constituents invite his contributions. However, I condemn, most strongly, his unfounded insinuations that allege that nothing has been accomplished in this constituency. His candidacy therefore is built on lies, and where you find a liar, you will also find a breaker of the eighth commandment.
All constituents regardless of their political leanings have comfortably sought my assistance over the past 14 years, and are pleased with my response to their requests. The people have never spoken of any discrimination on my part and they have in times past and present called me the ‘Man of the People’. So Mr. Hamilton has hit out at me and my record, falsely.
I am always happy to revisit my record, for it is filled with the love of the people. Mr. Hamilton on the other hand will always be known as the man who was embroiled in the indignities of missing sums of money, insurance scandals, and overseeing the buildup of over $100 million worth of toxic assets on the books of a company. That is a record of failure!
My record is an outstanding one and my career is not tainted with scandal or even hints of scandal. Cedric Liburd has never been involved in any passport scandal and has never sought to bribe anyone. If Mr. Hamilton knows anything to the contrary, I encourage him to bring it to the attention of the voting public and the relevant authorities. I have also informed the relevant Ministry of the allegation so that an investigation could be undertaken on the matters outlined. My hands are clean; they have always been and will always be that way.
My focus is on the future and my goal is the advancement of the people of Constituency #8 and the people of this Federation. That is why my campaign of inclusion and integrity speaks to safer hands and a clearer vision. My accomplishments, while significant, only pale in comparison to the opportunities that are before us. These include entrepreneurship and skills development in industry and the arts are areas which will be more vigorously developed when I am returned to office. The continued and increased productivity of the people will also factor greatly in Constituency 8 in a fourth Labour term.
I love my people of St. Peter’s, Kittstodart, Needsmust, Conaree, Canada, Key’s and Cayon. Together with their support and encouragement we have transformed these communities for the better and no negative talk from PAM can negate that fact. If PAM refuses to see this as truth, then I am afraid to imagine what they plan to bring our people and call prosperity.
A vote for Cedric and Labour, therefore, is most necessary to keep empty rhetoric out of office and to continue the transformation throughout the Constituency thus improving the quality of life for all whether PAM or Labour.
