BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN response to Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas’ statements made yesterday (Aug. 31) during his address to the nation on crime and violence in the Federation, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Mark Brantley welcome the remarks but noted that Dr. Douglas has finally accepted that the buck stops at him.
“The members of the Opposition in Parliament welcome the statements of the Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, that after years of denying responsibility and accountability for the state of crime and violence in our country, he has finally come to the realization that the buck stops with him as the leader of our nation,” Brantley said.
He added that this new position of responsibility and accountability is truly welcomed, but was also quick to point out that Dr. Douglas had failed on two occasions as the Minister of National Security.
“The nation would however recall that Prime Minister Denzil Douglas has on two prior occasions functioned as Minister having responsibility for National Security. On both occasions his leadership was ineffective and the country saw a progressively worsening security situation.”
Brantley posited that St. Kitts and Nevis needs a new paradigm which addresses cooperation and mutual respect rather that confrontation.
He stated that the Opposition is high in praise of the Hon. Sam Condor, who was recently stripped of his Police and Defence Forces portfolio, for bringing a new approach of consensus building to the critical issue of national security and his willingness to cooperate with the Opposition and civil society to fashion solutions to the issue of crime and violence.
Brantley also explained the reason for praising Condor, while at the same time made a comparative analysis of leadership styles between PM Douglas and his Deputy.
“Recent Parliamentary initiatives of Minister Condor, such as the Interception of Communications Act and the Gang (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2011, have attracted the support of the Opposition, largely due to his demonstrated willingness to work across party lines to win this war on crime.
“This atmosphere of bipartisanship was a welcome departure from the aggression, combativeness and rancour normally associated with matters of state and which have been the hallmarks of the leadership style of Prime Minister Douglas,” he said.
Brantley assured that the Opposition would continue to stand ready, willing and able to assist in the fight against crime in the Federation.
He however stressed that “we cannot win this war on crime without proper leadership, which is receptive to alternative views and which inspires confidence and cooperation in the security forces and the citizenry”.
In spite of his condemnation of Dr. Douglas’ leadership style exhibited in the past, Brantley however commended him for “finally standing up and allowing himself to be counted in the fight against crime”.
Brantley also expressed the hope that Dr. Douglas’ soaring rhetoric is matched by decisive action and that the leadership of inclusion rather than division engendered by Minister Condor would continue to be the standard for the war on crime.
Yesterday, in his address to the nation, PM Douglas said that Minister Condor “has been working assiduously to combat crime” and expressed his certainty that “many of the initiatives that have been introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister will bear fruit over time”.
He however stated that the time has come when he, as Leader of the Federation, must take responsibility for the “resolution (of crime) over a reasonable period” and noted that the problem demands the attention of the “highest level of our government”.
“His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, acting on my advice and in keeping with our Constitution, has assigned the subjects of Police and Defence Force to me…It is intended that the Hon. Sam Condor, our Deputy Prime Minister, will continue to hold all of his other portfolios in a restructured Ministry, restyled the Ministry of Home Land Security, Foreign Affairs, Labour and Social Security. The Department of Home Land Security will include Immigration, Passports, Prisons, Fire & Rescue Services, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” Dr. Douglas told the nation.
PM Douglas also informed the nation that in an attempt to bolster existing crime-fighting initiatives, he would be heading a Ministerial Task Force and a Special Anti-Crime Unit would be established and it would fall under his purview.
He further informed that Minister Condor would be a member of the Ministerial Task Force and that his role in arresting crime and violence in the nation would continue to be one of significance.
