BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WHILE the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) held its 81st Convention on Sunday (May 19), unlike previous years, Sam Condor and Dr. Timothy Harris chose not to be present.
Instead, they decided to wing out of the Federation to host meetings with nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis in Canada and the USA.
Many people had been expressing their views on their absence and SKNVibes took the opportunity to question some of them on the streets of Basseterre, and they did not hesitate to voice their opinions on the matter.
This publication received mixed views with regards to their absence. Some individuals claimed that the former Ministers did not want to face other members of the political party, while some claimed that they had their own agenda and others agreed with them for not attending.
A young man voiced that it is clear that Condor and Harris are not interested in the SKNLP, adding that if they still had interest, they would have made themselves available to attend the Convention.
One strong Labour Party supporter expressed that Condor and Harris "had to run because they cannot take the pressure". She said that Prime Minister Douglas had been putting heat on them and they ran away.
A female Rastafarian told this publication that Condor and Harris were correct in their absence because "Sam and Tim are speaking out and showing Douglas that he does not control them anymore".
She also stated that their meetings in Canada and the USA were intentionally scheduled for the same date as the Covention.
Speaking with another individual, he claimed that he had no knowledge of the Labour Party’s Convention, adding that "it was very low keyed this year and I don't know why".
With regards to the absence of Condor and Harris, he voiced that it was right for them not to attend, "because the people in the Labour Party do not want them".
Another individual stated that his understanding was that the two men would have been expelled from the Labour Party. He however added that he strongly believes in "natural justice" but disagrees with the actions taken by the delegates because the men were not there to represent themselves.
He went on to say that they should however be given an opportunity to make themselves available to account for their actions, and if they do not then the Labour Party’s Executive body should then take action. "But they should at least be given a chance to defend themselves."
The question of absence was thrown to a young man who quickly said that the answer was already there. He noted that they are clearly no longer a part of the Labour Party and that they were showing it more often. “Their presence in Canada and the US is their latest show of disrespect for the Prime Minister and the other members of the St. Kitts-Nevis labour Party."
A young lady stated that Condor and Harris are simply trying to put on a show for the public.
"Sam and Tim are just putting on a show. They did it when they boycotted the Budget and joined PAM and CCM at their Conference, and they did it again Sunday, boycotting the Convention to go overseas.
"They are simply trying to run away from being thrown out of the Party because they are pedalling this ideology that they are the true Labour stalwarts. But no stalwart was ever thrown out of the Party they cared about so much.
"If they really cared about the Labour Party they would have not been smearing the Leader's good name; the same Leader whom they rallied behind for years and years claiming that he was so good."
Another man said that the former Cabinet Members no longer care about "Douglas’ Labour Party", adding that the Party no longer functions by the ideals implemented by the past stalwarts but rather “a party being run on whatever Dr. Douglas says".
He went on to say that Condor and Harris, although not a part of the SKNLP, still carried with them the teachings and understandings of the real Labour Party. "The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party that was here before Dr. Douglas turned it into the circus act it now is."
The individual said that Condor and Harris saw no need to associate themselves with those who refuse to stand up for what is right, so are focusing on their campaign rather than what PM Douglas might to do them.
A few persons decided not to comment on the matter, stating that they rather remain silent because their views are “very unpleasant”.
SKNVibes observed that many people are keeping abreast with the happenings in the political arena and are keeping a close watch on the saga between the SKNLP and the two men. So much so that when approached with the question, they did not hesitate to respond.
