As the anniversary of our independence looms large, it is not surprising that some may look back with nostalgia at the momentous arrival of our political independence and the dawn of a new day which it promised them. Others will engage in an analysis of the journey from whence we came, where we are at and where we as a nation ought to be. The truth is that St. Kitts and Nevis despite its many challenges and deficiencies has a good chance to restore the pride and joy of it citizens and become a model among small island developing states. When on the 19thSeptember 1983, St. Kitts and Nevis replaced its flag, national anthem and coat of arms to reflect its own indigenous symbols, aspirations and expectations and cut its colonial links, it succeeded in promoting patriotism, pride and confidence of the people and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis in mastering their destiny and shaping a St. Kitts and Nevis of which we could all be proud and in which there would be shared prosperity for all.
It is this prosperity that the past colonial powers stripped from our ancestors. This prosperity of our nation and its ability to chart its own course and to determine its own destiny were some of the core beliefs of those that said we want to be free. We wanted the ability to own land. We wanted the ability to work and receive a decent wage and benefits. We wanted the ability not to be ruled by leaders who put themselves first over the people. We wanted a government that put the people first. We wanted to show the world that we could be an example of a small island where we grow together as model of peace, democracy and prosperity for all. We had seen far too long the results of dictatorial governance, social and economic manipulation and the exploitation of our people. The underlining view was that if only we had control over our own destiny---We would be different. We would ensure the social and economic equity and equality of our people. The old way was colonial the new way was Independence.
St. Kitts and Nevis as a new nation, born to the world on 19 September 1983 was ready to be a positive contributor to global peace, prosperity and democracy. We promised ourselves that we could make it on our own. We could unite St Kitts and Nevis on a new path of growth and development hither to unrealized because of the debilitating influences of our colonial ties.Those colonial ties restricted our capacity to achieve individually and collectively. We expected that our national resources would be ours to be used for our individual and collective benefit and development. We felt instinctively that the era of disharmony between Nevis and St Kitts would give way to a new dispensation of native partnership and shared citizenship. We would fashion a Federal structure based on fairness, equity, respect and a mutual sense of shared citizenship between Kittitians and Nevisians.
Our people were inspired by the view that a new era of freedom and democracy would become the norm. We were encouraged to chart new paths of growth, development, good governance and democracy. Democracy with its principles of majority rule and representatives of people elected through free and fair elections was the guarantee that we would not become independent to become a carbon copy of our oppressors who denied our people or the mass of the people the right to choose their representatives and applied our economic resources (land, capital, labour) for the benefit of nested foreign interests and their local friends and families. Our people welcomed independence then because they believed in the articulated vision of prosperity for all.
31 years after the historic birth of our nation, the nation finds itself at the crossroads of decision. A decision that can spell 5 more years of one-manism, ignominy, shame, scandal, economic hardship, high unemployment, onerous taxes and the undermining of our democratic values.To date, 21 months have passed since an undemocratic and illegitimate government continues to govern without morality, principle and constitutional basis to do so. A high Court Judge, Justice DarshanRamdhani on 12th February, 2014 told us that the Douglas regime was breaching our constitutional rights to have MONC tabled, debated and voted in the National Assembly as a matter of priority. Alternatively the decision and vote for Team Unity can usher betterment for all in all aspects of life and living.
Presently there are no jobs for our school leavers and the best that this outgoing government can offer the young and talented is a minimum wage job as part of its Pre-Election Programme (PEP). This Pre-Election Program is used to pacify those that need a good paying job to care for their families. Our young people need to know that they can thrive in St. Kitts and Nevis and not just get by. Today as we celebrate Independence, electricity charges are a burden for the people and businesses. The economic sectors are having teething pains. Tourism, agriculture, manufacturing are under performing. The only industry vibrant is the sale of our citizenship/passport. The US Treasury Department on 20th May, 2014 advised the world that our citizenship programme was a safe haven for criminals and illicit actors.
Our country needs a fresh start at deepening its democracy and restoring prosperity for all. St. Kitts and Nevis needs a movement that understands that we must put the people of St. Kitts and Nevis first. Our country today has leaders that mirror the colonial powers that practiced the manipulation and exploitation of its people. However, today it is far worst because those leaders are not from far off, they come from and look like us.
"With the fact that tomorrow begins today we are faced with the urgency of now." Dr. King stated these words almost 50 years ago. The urgency of now. Our forefathers that fought for our Independence did so in order to lay the foundation for prosperity for the next generation of families of St. Kitts and Nevis. They did not fight for Independence for one man's personal agenda. They did not fight for Independence for one man to get the cake while everyone else gets the crumbs. They did not fight for Independence so that our young people could wonder if they can stay in St. Kitts and Nevis or go abroad to greener pastures. They did not fight for Independence so that they would be in so much debt that will burden our children's children. The Independence movement was about the empowering the people then, now and in the future.
Only one Movement is speaking the people’s message –that is Team Unity which has promised a people centred government focusing on rebuilding the socio-economic fabric of the country. We will put the people of St. Kitts and Nevis first.
As the incumbent regimes delays the general elections, the people suffer more. The people need relief from 17% VAT, 85% increase in electricity charges, and increases in social services levy, high unemployment, broken promises on educational and health care. Only Team Unity knows how to make life better for the people. That is why we propose to remove VAT from food, medicine, educational supplies and funeral expenses. We prefer to put money in the pockets of our people and let them prioritize their needs. By reducing mortgage rates, student loans, electricity charges, we give the people more money in their pockets to do more for themselves and to make the transition over time from poverty to prosperity.
We will fashion a St. Kitts and Nevis in which Kittitians and Nevisians are endeavoring and achieving. We will support local businesses, incentivize their start-up, expansion and development. We will use our citizenship monies to support local entrepreneurs and enterprises. We will restore the lands to the people for them to build their homes, set up their businesses etc.
Our young people will be supported so that they can live by application of their God given talents. We will give them a head start by making preschool education universal and free of cost. We will reform our institutions of learning to cater to the various interests of our young people. We will develop a new industry in entertainment, music, theatre, movie production, while traditional industries of tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and financial services put on the path of growth and development. We will look at a framework of energy solutions as a way to create jobs and save the people’s money through lower costs of electricity. We will partner with the people to ensure that our next independence anniversary will be a more memorable one. The next independence anniversary celebration will of course take place under a Team Unity government. More memorable because we would deliver on the aspirations and expectations of our people for prosperity and better democracy.
In my view the best way to celebrate independence is to ensure that we give the next generation a St.Kitts and Nevis better than the one which we inherited.
May God bless St. Kitts and Nevis.May God bless our people andmay our people be inspired to make the changethat will usher in meaningful programmes that deliver on our independence dreams and expectations. God bless our wonderful people.
Thank you.
