BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Two St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) Executive Members whose positions were challenged at the 80th Anniversary Conference, were able to retain such after their opponents withdrew their nomination.
Deputy Prime Minister Sam Terrance Condor – who served as Deputy Leader of the SKNLP for many years – and Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr. Timothy Harris – who served as Chairman of the SKNLP for several years – were both challenged for their executive seating.
Condor was challenged by Minister of Public Works Dr. Asim Martin while Harris was challenged by former Member of Parliament Cedric Liburd.
This publication understands that the atmosphere at the business session of the 80th Anniversary St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Annual National Conference was charged so much so that members of the security forces had to be called in to ensure peace was maintained.
SKNVibes also understands that one of the views expressed at the conference was that voting taking place with the nominations as they were would act as a tool of division, especially during a time when the party is striving to maintain a unified front.
Accordingly, Martin and Liburd were asked to withdraw their candidacy to which they assented.
This media house further understands that both Harris and Condor reiterated their commitment to the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and its leadership, something which Condor said is not strange.
“We have been doing it all our life. Our commitment is always to the leadership of the party. We are part of that leadership and we are part of the Labour Party, so our commitment is always to the Labour Party…
“There is nothing special about committing to the leadership or the leader of the Labour Party. We are part of the leadership and so we are saying that we are committed to serving the Labour Party, and so we want to make sure that all is done. And if anything is done that is not in keeping with the values and the good governance and democracy in the Labour Party, we are prepared to raise the issues. And if there are no mechanisms and there is nothing to deal with them internally, then we will do what it is we need to do. It is a question of good governance, accountability and transparency which we are always trying to fight for.”
The Deputy Leader of the SKNLP noted that this was the first time he was challenged for his position on the Executive, and he explained why he believed the challenge was mounted.
“That challenge came about as a result of recent developments in the party…So the conference felt that the public concern over what’s been happening recently needed to be brought to the conference floor. And it seems as if there was going to be some difficulty in terms of unity and so on. So we had to make certain agreements in order to make sure that the party unity is maintained in going forward.
“The public concern came out of statements that I made publicly which some members of the party weren’t happy with…You would be aware that those statements were made as a result of certain things that were happening in the party. And so we have decided that in the future we are going to have mechanisms put in place and that the conduct of all in the party will be such that it will not give rise to any such public statements. And when any occasion arises where there might be some difficulty, then they established a mechanism in the party to make sure that those issues are dealt with privately rather than publicly.”
Concerning his election, Condor said he is pleased that the conference expressed confidence in him.
“As you know we are celebrating 80 years this year, and in terms of my election I am particularly pleased to have been re-elected to serve my party. I have been in service at that level for the past 23 years…since 1989.
“I think that was the view of the conference that I be re-elected to serve. I think the conference had expressed confidence in my leadership and so I was re-elected to serve and I am particularly pleased to do that.”
Dr. Harris also expressed gratitude on his re-election to the position of Party Chairman.
“I have been serving as Chairman of the party unopposed with the support of the widest majority of the people within the Labour Party since 1997. Today (May 20), the conference reaffirmed its confidence in me and for that I am grateful and I am grateful to all the supporters who made it happen for another term.”
Also resulting from the convention, Dr. Douglas was re-elected Leader of the National Executive, Minister Nigel Carty was re-elected National Vice Chairman, the National Secretary is Diana Williams-Humphrey, Karen Crossman was elected National Assistant Secretary and Norgen Wilson was elected National Treasurer, all unopposed.
The three elected members are Thamesha Fyfield, Meshack Alford and Vance Gilbert, while Sharylle Richardson and Rudolph Morton were named the designated members for the National Executive to represent Constituencies One and Two respectively.
For Constituencies Five and Six, George Dixon and Rubie Taylor were named and Vincia Herbert is the Young Labour representative.
