BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Opposition of the Federal Parliament has been blasted by Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas for what he described as an attempt to destabilise and negatively impact investor confidence in the Federation.
Wednesday (Dec. 5), Leader of the Opposition Mark Brantley signalled that he has forwarded a motion of No Confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Douglas and the government to the Speaker of the National Assembly for tabling.
And in a national broadcast aired on radio and television last evening (Dec. 6), Dr. Douglas commented on the Opposition’s decision and action.
“I believe that this No Confidence motion is designed to undermine the confidence and the stimulation that now exists in the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis, because the motion has the effect of eroding investor confidence in St. Kitts and Nevis. As such, the Leader of the Opposition has sought deliberately to employ a serious constitutional tool in a very flippant and frivolous manner in order to achieve a narrow political gain and to hurt the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Although acknowledging that it is its constitutional right so to do, Dr. Douglas questioned the judgement of the Opposition in filing such a motion at a time when globally, economic hardship is being experienced.
“And it is at this moment…it is in these conditions of global fragility and volatility that the Leader of the Opposition has chosen to undertake a motion of No Confidence in the government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Let me state from the very outset that it is his right as a member of the St. Kitts-Nevis National Assembly so to do, just as it is the right of most parliamentarians in most legislative bodies anywhere in the world. However, it is also an established fact that the government of S.t Kitts and Nevis has been resolute in our own determination to shield our tiny Federation from the economic unravelling that we have observed in so many countries beyond our shores. And this we have been able to do.
“In light of this, therefore, I question the judgment of the Honourable Members’ proposed motion at this particular moment in world affairs. I cannot help but ask whether he is concerned about its implications in this interdependent global economy of his questioning the legitimacy of the duly elected government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Not for him as a successful and experienced lawyer and not for me as a successful and experienced medical doctor but for the countless Kittitians and Nevisians whose economic well-being depends so greatly on the stability of St. Kitts and Nevis in the eyes of the international community.”
The Leader of the country was careful to “assure our many investors and potential investors locally and internationally that we have a long tradition of parliamentary democracy and that every action taken to date, it is in accordance with the constitutional rights enjoyed by our people and their representatives.
“I am also confident that whatever is the outcome of the proposed motion, our people will hold tightly to our cherished traditions of peace, stability, respect for the law and democracy. Be assured therefore that your investment is safe, your investment is secure in our progressive country St. Kitts and Nevis”.
And the reassurance given to the country was that he would do “everything, everything in my power to ensure that the Labour Government remains true to the mandate you have given us and that we do not betray your trust”.
