Senator Byron sworn in as Attorney-General
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AT a simple but symbolic and historic ceremony held this afternoon (Feb. 18) at Government House, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Sylvester Harris was sworn in as the third Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis following Team Unity’s victory in the February 16, 2015 General Elections.
Also being sworn in today was Senator Vincent FitzpatrickByron Jr. as the Federation’s post independence sixth Attorney-General.
In the presence of our other elected members, two unelected Team Unity’s candidates, their spouses, family members and invited guests, Dr. Harris and Byron both took the Oaths of Allegiance, of Office and of Secrecy.
The Oaths were administered by Resident Judge Her Ladyship Marlene Carter and the Instruments of Appointment were signed and delivered to the new Prime Minister and Attorney-General by the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Edmund Lawrence.
In brief remarks, Sir Edmund congratulated the two appointees and wished them every success in their future endeavours.
“Prime Minister, Attorney-General, I take this opportunity to congratulate your Government on its election to office and to wish you well, and that you will prosper and succeed in the discharge of your duties and uphold the oaths that you have just taken.”
In addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Harris pledged to work assiduously for the prosperity of the twin-island Federation.
“It is an honour for me on behalf of Team Unity to welcome all of you to this important occasion in which we usher in a new Government, a Government of National Unity. I pledge as the Prime Minister of the country to uphold all Oaths that we have taken to work diligently for the prosperity of the country and, equally important, the deepening of the democracy.”
He stated that Team Unity had focussed on democracy and the development of people as its pillars during the elections campaign.
Our platform for election in this country was based on two critical pillars - Democracy, so much of it was under threat in our view and we lived that experience; we know we have to redeem it. Development that is people-centered. Amidst all the rosy picture, the truth is there are too many forgotten people, too many situations unknown, unseen and unattended where people live.”
“And as I went through the country talking to people, young and old, I knew there had to be a better way of existence; and that the National Unity Government had a sacred obligation to take our people, 33 percent of them who live a life of abject poverty, to a new place, a new situation. Hence, we came with the telling slogan, some may say, ‘Prosperity for all, but importantly for all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis we commit to fairness and a fairer share...a fairer share for all.’”
Prime Minister Harris expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed in bringing success to Team Unity.
“I want to say thanks to all those people of St. Kitts and Nevis who participated in the recently concluded General Elections...thanks for supporting democracy. And a special thank you to those who voted for the Team Unity candidates, those of you who were convinced by a simple message – We just have to be fair in what we do.
“I want to thank you for inspiring me by your support and by your prayers. I want to give thanks to God and all those fair warriors. There were so many people who stayed in tuned and attuned; so many persons in very simple ways made a contribution.”
He shared one of his experiences while in a supermarket during the elections campaign, noting that many people had given him a friendly nudge, which indicated that they were in support of Team Unity.
“And at so many different places I came to believe that the silent majority will determine this election,” he added.
Dr. Harris thanked God for bringing the Elections to an end in Team Unity’s favour and stated that “a new Government is in place and we intend to get on with the work of nation building for all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis”.
On completion of the ceremony, the new Prime Minister, along with the members of his Cabinet, went outside the confines of Government House, where he met with hundreds of supporters who warmly greeted him with loud cheers, hugs and kisses.
