Although the political dust in Nevis is yet to be settled, the timing could not be better to initiate the process of constitutional reform. With fresh mandates for Labour and NRP following the elections of 2010 and 2011 respectively, both parties must move now to push the process forward.
The flaws of the constitution are well known and no amount of talking will resolve the problems. We need action and we need it now. Constitutional reform must therefore be the number one priority on the 2012 agenda of both administrations with the rest of 2011 reserved for planning.
The white paper as proposed by the PAM and NRP alliance and which later formed the basis for the current constitution has clearly failed the test of time. While it may have served the political purposes of PAM and NRP then, Labour must not be caught in the same trap. Together with NRP, Labour must rise above petty politics and start the constitutional reform debate now to ultimately create a political framework or constitution which truly reflects the aspirations of our people.
The Labour Party in pushing its case for the 2012 consultations would want to revisit the proposals of the 1982 green paper “In place of strife” as the basis for making changes. Now is the time to debate giving St.Kitts the rights to secede its own local government and generally bring an end to all the sources of acrimony and inequalities currently existing between both islands under the present constitution. This should be combined with a comprehensive package of constitutional changes to include outstanding issues such as electoral boundaries and voter registration, sources of much contentions leading up to the last general elections and which must be settled before elections in 2015.
For PAM 2012 consultations should be the perfect opportunity to make amends on its white paper proposals of 1982. A true federation must be the goal of PAM, side by side with Labour vigorously agitating for eliminating the inequalities between both islands. PAM should want to move away from the notion, that if constitutional reform is not to our advantage in opposition, we will refrain from taking part in the debate. PAM should steer far from frustrating the process and in the debate, give consideration at all times to what is best for our people despite their political affiliations.
Like PAM, NRP should want to use the 2012 consultations also to make amends and generally improve on its proposals within the white paper of 1982. NRP is obligated to ensure fairness and equity is sustained in the process. This would be the perfect moment for NRP to work with CCM to ensure Nevis is not short changed in the process.
CCM should relish the moment to continue writing the pages of history as one of the most vigorous and competitive opposition political party in Nevis. Like PAM, the notion of we are in opposition and would not contribute to the process should be kept at bay. CCM must use this time to eliminate the rhetoric on the issue of secession and focus more on creating a true federation, where neither St. Kitts nor Nevis is at a disadvantage. The best interest of the people must prevail despite their political persuasions.
The political hatred created from the flaws of the constitution is overbearing and is certainly impacting on businesses, organizations, family life and interpersonal relationships.
Let the long over due constitutional reform debate start now to clean up the political mess.
