BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMER Government Ministers the Hon. Sam Condor and the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris have formed a new political party which is scheduled to be officially launched on Monday, June 17, 2013.
A press release disseminated by Clecton Phillip today (Jun. 14), indicates that the political party would be called the People’s Labour Party.
The release also states that the party would be holding two historic events, with the first being a Press Conference on Monday at the Ocean terrace Inn at 10:00 a.m. and would be carried live on Winn FM.
“The second event will be the much anticipated first public meeting on Wednesday, 19th June, 2013 at Greenlands Park from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.,” the release reads.
It further states that the public meeting would be carried live on radio and video streamed live on the internet.
When contacted, Condor confirmed the party’s name and declared that the aim of the Press Conference is to launch the party.
However, contrary to the press release which states that Dr. Harris is the party’s leader and Condor the deputy, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Three said, “We are not announcing any office as yet.”
Both Condor and Harris are still Government Backbenchers in the Federation’s Parliament and they strongly support the formation of a Unity Government after the next General Elections in an effort to create a change in the political landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Many political pundits and commentators have been asking…”When will they cross the floor?”
On the evening of Friday, January 25, 2013, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas announced that he had stripped Dr. Harris of his ministerial portfolios because of his open opposition to two recent government-sponsored Bills, his refusal to say he would vote on the Budget and on the No Confidence Motion filed by the Opposition, as well as his apparent involvement in activism that undermined the government.
Just five days later, Condor resigned from the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Cabinet and stated in a press release that “the recent developments pertaining to issues of good governance and constitutional integrity have brought me to the point where I feel constrained to tender my resignation as a member of Cabinet with immediate effect”.
The release also stated that he vowed to remain committed to serving the people of his constituency and is praying that God would bless and guide the Federation.
“I remain committed to serve and to do the best that I can for the people of St. Christopher Three and of the nation in general, by the grace of God and by the will of the people. I pray that God would continue to bless and guide our country, so that we would emerge from this unchartered path with a fresh vision for living as brethren, and working together in respectful harmony for the good of all.”
Since then, Condor and Harris have been publicly criticised both on the airwaves and on the Labour Party’s platform at public meetings. Harris however received the brunt of the criticisms and both of them were labelled swine and traitors to the Labour Party.
In addition to Condor and Harris (Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven) not supporting two government-sponsored Bills, they both joined with four other elected Members of Parliament in sending a letter to the Governor General stating that they have no confidence in the Dr. Douglas-led Administration.
The two Government Backbenchers are also party to the legal battle of the No Confidence Motion, charging that their constitutional rights have been violated by the Motion not being presented to the Parliament.
