BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OPPOSING views have been expressed by Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the People’s Action Movement the Hon. Shawn K. Richards and Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas on the ascension of the Rt. Excellent Sir Kennedy Simmonds to the status of National Hero of St. Christopher and Nevis.
The official announcement of the award was made on Independence Day (Sept. 19) by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris during his address to the nation.
SKNVibes spoke with Dr. Douglas while at the Toast Ceremony held at Camp Springfield on that day and he expressed his disappointment with the appointment, noting that it was “untimely” and “unfortunate”.
“I congratulate him but I would say that it is somewhat of a disappointment. Dr. Simmonds has served this country for 15 years. It’s being done in a very political partisan way. I believe that a National Hero should transcend party politics.
“It is unfortunate that he has been declared so soon after Dr. Simmonds himself was on the political platform less than seven months ago engaged in party politics and virtually condemning the government of the day and obviously supporters of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (which) still has the majority of support here in our country.”
He said Dr. Simmonds would not have been his choice, especially when the country needs to “heal what is a serious political tribal divide that we have in St. Kitts and Nevis”.
The immediate former Prime Minister expressed that he has no personal feelings against Dr. Simmonds and noted that his elevation could have been done at a later time.
“I have nothing personal against Dr. Simmonds. Actually, he is my senior in the profession that we both share. But I think it has been a very untimely choice for National Hero on the 32nd Anniversary of Independence celebrations. I am not saying that sometime maybe later after he would have really shown to have been a statesman that we would have expected him to be…”
Conversely, Deputy Prime Minister Richards told SKNVibes that Dr. Simmonds, who once led the political party he now leads, is deserving of the award. He said he is additionally pleased that it has been bestowed while Dr. Simmonds is yet alive rather than posthumously as has been traditionally bestowed.
“I am extremely happy that Sir Kennedy has been named as a National Hero. I think it is quite fitting. Sir Kennedy is the Nation’s first Prime Minister. He would have served initially as Premier then as Prime Minister for 12 years from 1983 up until 1995. Like those others persons who have been named National Heroes before, he has made his mark on the development of St. Kitts and Nevis. While it may be somewhat late in coming, at least he is finally being named as a National Hero and he is alive and able to enjoy the status and the praises of such.
“…I am one who is of the view that you should try to honour persons when they are alive and when they can appreciate it, when you can say to them that you are thankful for the contribution that he or she has made.”
While making the announcement of Dr. Simmonds’ addition to the pantheon of the Federation’s National Heroes, Prime Minister Harris lauded him for his contribution to nation building.
“It was Sir Kennedy who ushered us into Nationhood and oversaw our entry on to the world stage, and remained at the helm steering our country to highest levels of growth in the hemisphere until we had sufficiently matured to stand on our own and to be recognised as the world’s smallest and freest nation.
“We applaud this our only living National Hero who today serves as an inspiration to us proud citizens engaged in nation-building. Sir Kennedy, you have done well for your country. We adore your character and say thank you for your sterling contribution.”
