BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER and Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Number Three, the Hon. Sam T. Condor hosted a candid discussion with his constituents late last week during which he explained his position on specific developments relative to the government.
The meeting was held at the Bronte Welsh Primary School on Friday evening (Dec. 14) with approximately 50 constituents in attendance.
Condor has been the topic of many social media, blog and mainstream media discussions over the past weeks.
And recently he had come under attack by some of his constituents, presumably led by local businessman Ashley Allers, according to whom, Condor failed to communicate with them his situation and position as it relates to his deteriorating relationship with Prime Minister Dr. Douglas.
They also claimed that Condor appears to have abandoned the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party to side with the opposition.
After thanking his constituents for their support over the years, Condor took to addressing the issues, firstly speaking to the meeting that was convened by Allers on Tuesday (Dec. 11) which he (Condor) did not attend.
He explained that he received a call requesting a meeting to which he agreed but upon consulting with his executive (the St. Christopher Three Branch Executive), he understood that the executive did not sanction the meeting and therefore they should not have expected him to be in attendance.
Condor did not deny that some of his constituents were unaware of specific developments, but explained it was so because they were not in attendance when the branch meetings were held.
The Deputy Prime Minister counted as “foolishness” and “nonsense” the idea, suggestion and talk that he has sided or would be siding with the People’s Action Movement.
He reassured that his “commitment to the Labour Party and the Labour Movement is undiminished. “In fact, it cannot be any greater,” he added.
Notwithstanding however, he expressed that his allegiance to the party does not mean he would be hesitant in calling a spade a spade and in speaking out against ills that he may be aware of.
There are two outstanding parliamentary matters over which Condor’s constituents have expressed some concern and on which they sought his position; the Senators Increase Bill and the Motion of No Confidence which was filed against the government and its Leader Prime Minister Dr. Douglas.
On the latter, the Parliamentary Representative said he has not committed to voting for or against the Bill and, on the former, while he did not indicate that he would vote for or against it, he explained that it is an attempt to marginalise elected members in the House.
The support which Condor commanded of the constituents present at the meeting was undeniable, but some exhibited apprehension and concern and vehemently advised him to never side with the opposition party.
On the flip side, others were adamant that whether he does or not, they would continue to command his support.
Allers and the displeased constituents had organised a “Walk Through” to take place in the Village area but it was cancelled because, according to him, Condor’s meeting would have been used as an opportunity for discourse in having certain burning issues addressed.
This publication was in attendance at the meeting and Allers was not there, and the reason for his absence is still to be made clear.
In a subsequent interview with SKNVibes, Condor said the meeting was “very, very successful”.
“What Ashley did was a very unfortunate thing. It shows that they understand what’s happening in the constituency, and so I am very pleased with the outcome of the meeting.”
