Address to the Nation of St. Kitts-Nevis by the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris
Re:Appeal Court Decision on Boundaries Matter
My Fellow Citizens at home and abroad, I greet you with a great sense of patriotism and honor. Today marks a critical point in our nation’s history. Truly, we are at a CROSSROAD of democracy. This requires us to reflect on the tensions between the rule of law and the power of justice.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. Our resolve to fight for justice will continue to the very end.
Today, the Court of Appeal ruled to dismiss our appeal against the discharge of the interim injunction that we had been granted by the High Court, pending the hearing of our application for leave for judicial review of the Constituency Boundaries Report.
Before the Court of Appeal’s decision was handed down, all parties had agreed that an appeal would be made to the Privy Council and in that regard, had given certain undertakings to the Court to insure that general elections would continue smoothly. This agreement made in advance of the Court of Appeal’s judgment preserved the rights of either party in the event that the Privy Council would reverse the decision of the Court of Appeal.
I must highlight a statement made by the Court in its ruling regarding the sitting of Parliament when handing down its decision and I quote, “All of this happened on Friday, 16th January 2015 and though one may say that the process was hurried through by the relevant authorities to gain an unfair political advantage, that is an issue of political morality and not constitutional validity, which is not suitable for judicial enquiry.”
The fight for justice must continue for the preservation of democracy and fairness, which is our moral obligation.
Team Unity was formed as a CONVENANT with the people. This covenant is our promise to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis that we will remember the forefathers and mothers who sacrificed so we can live in freedom. This covenant is our promise that we will give to our children a St. Kitts and Nevis better than what was given to us.
Team Unity was created to unify our people around A FRESH START, a new political culture focused on prosperity for all. A new political culture where we understand the decisions we make today have a direct effect on how we will live tomorrow. A new political culture, where we truly put the people of St. Kitts and Nevis first. The people want safe neighbourhoods. They want to see their children prosper and have opportunities they did not have. They want and are demanding good paying jobs. They want a new politics where those who are elected can work together to address their issues. They want a government that will keep its promise.
Boundary change or no boundary change, the hopes and dreams of the people will remain the same. Our people will not confuse a battering past with a booming future. Our people will not suffer any longer under dictatorial and dysfunctional leadership. You know the leaders that have been the architects of our suffering. You have suffered long enough!
Our young people have been denied access to scholarships that suffocate their future. Others have had to work two or three jobs to make ends meet while their dreams remain a distant reality.
The creation of Team Unity is the realization that political polarization is an old theme, rooted in our colonial past! It only serves to benefit the few at the expense of the many. This system is not a democracy. It is the system that Dr. Douglas and his administration want to protect and preserve for their own self interests.
Dr. King also said that “...darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that”. The people of St. Kitts and Nevis are the light that can drive out the darkness we have been experiencing far too long.
Your decision on February 16 to elect Team Unity candidates will begin the dawn of a new era. A New Age of thinking! This is the hope that I wake up to every day. This is the passion that I live by. Our cause is just. Our cause is Unity. It is that simple. TEAM UNITY is ready to serve. TEAM UNITY is ready to govern. TEAM UNITY is ready to lead. TEAM UNITY is ready to improve your quality of life now. TEAM UNITY is ready to give you a Fresh Start.
This is why TEAM UNITY came together. No boundaries can stop the will of the people. BOUNDARIES DO NOT VOTE. PEOPLE DO!
Finally, let us show the world that we are the light of the Caribbean. Let us show the world that we are truly the Gibraltar of the West Indies. Let us show the world that our light will drive out darkness.
It is a new day, a fresh start, our new beginning.
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