It is my Honour to be able to address you my fellow citizens on this auspicious occasion of the 31st Anniversary of Independence of our young nation. We can all feel justly proud that the founding fathers of this, the tiniest nation of the Western Hemisphere, were brave and bold enough to confidently chart the waters of nationhood despite the constraints of our small size. I am sure that we can all agree that St. Kitts and Nevis has held its own both among our peers in the Caribbean Community and in the wider world.
We have had many accomplishments that belie our small size from the world of sports to academia to international relations and law. Just at the beginning of this month, our national football team did us proud by advancing from the group stage of the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup Tournament with thrilling wins in front of the home crown at Warner Park. We know that they will continue to make us proud as they compete in the second round in Haiti. Our veteran sports ambassador Kim Collins continues to be an inspiration and encouragement as he performs at the highest levels and defies expectations of an athlete just a few years older than our nation.
Our young people also continue to excel academically and this is recognized internationally as, only in the last few months several have obtained Chevening Scholarships for postgraduate study in the United Kingdom while among younger students 100% pass rates were reported in several CXC subjects in the 2014 exam year.
Yet, our journey as a nation has not been without its challenges and our current state of affairs presents peculiar difficulties. When I visit with Kittitians and Nevisians at home and abroad you are concerned about our direction and with very good reason. As a member of the Parliamentary Majority who has played an active part in the legal and constitutional process over the past two years to hold the government accountable I know and understand only too well the serious risks to our national welfare. The continued deliberate and obstinate refusal of the Speaker of the House to fulfil his obligations under our Constitution and in obedience to the judgment of the Court is an unfortunate and tragic development that does not augur well for the maintenance of the rule of law.
Despite this and many other challenges however, I am confident that my fellow Kittitians and Nevisians are capable of resolving our differences in peace and unity. We have had difficult times before and have come through them a stronger and more united people.
I am privileged to have the opportunity to participate in a historic development in our nation as various political parties have subsumed partisan concerns in the interest of country above self. Team UNITY represents the best of our national, social and political impulse and is a testament to the level of political maturity we have attained while still such a young nation. My fellow citizens; you can rest assured that your leaders will employ our utmost effort to ensure that the progress of our nation is not hampered by the recklessness of the present regime.
I encourage all Kittitians and Nevisians to celebrate our Independence wherever you may be and to wear your national colours proudly.
I wish us all a very Happy Independence 31!
