BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CONFIRMING months of speculation about a rift, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two Hon. Dwyer Astaphan has called for the resignation of the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Astaphan issued the statement at a press conference this morning (Jan. 28) at his Port Zante office and predicted Douglas’ resignation would be better for both the Labour Party and the twin-island Federation.
“In the best interests of the government, the Labour Party and the country, the signal should be sent that within three to six months after the next elections Dr. Douglas will step down, then the party will elect a new leader, and that new leader will be Prime Minister,” said Astaphan.
“Most of the negative perceptions and feelings towards the Labour Party revolve around Dr. Douglas himself and many Labour supporters have drifted off into indifference, disenchantment, anger and alienation. These supporters would greet the news of a new leader with a fresh, re-energised, and positive outlook.
“Douglas should send a clear succession signal, or, failing that, a clear succession signal should be sent to him by the Labour Party. If nothing is done by him or by the Labour Party and its supporters, then the party could face further loss,” he declared.
The MP expressed his willingness to campaign for any candidate from any party who would commit to sending that signal. He also articulated his belief that regardless of which government forms after the upcoming elections, there should be no room for the Prime Minister [Dr. Douglas].
“The Labour Party and the Labour Movement are about ideas, ideals and principles. The people of this country deserve a leader whose heart and soul are embedded in the philosophy of this movement. They do not deserve a usurper and an opportunist,” Astaphan asserted.
Although Astaphan declined to name any candidate he thought suitable to assume the PM’s position, he stated his belief that there are many persons eminently qualified to fill the role. He noted that there was urgent need for a new leader and that he had articulated this need for several years to “the Prime Minister himself, to Labour Party officials, to the Labour Party Conference and publicly”.
He called on the nation’s citizens and residents to partner with their candidates to usher in a government reflecting a new mood of national reconciliation, a state in which he insisted there could be no room for Douglas.
