BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LAST night’s (Apr. 20) Constituency Number Five town hall meeting organised by the People’s Action Movement (PAM) in Sandy Point was filled with surprises, as one of the nation’s pioneers of education and member of the Labour Party, Washington Archibald, discussed issues critical to the nation.
Crime and violence, electoral reform, cost of living, the new Pogson Medical Centre and preferential treatment for foreign investors offered much discussion during the meeting. A particular focus was placed by the constituents upon potential land/housing distribution and national security policies that would be enacted if PAM forms the next government.
Archibald expressed his gratitude to the party for its invitation, adding that it had reached a milestone in “real democracy”.
“It must be a good thing when someone who is not a member of the party could be honoured with an invitation to come and speak with people within the party. Bringing an outsider in to talk to your party means that you are reaching towards the highest level of democracy,” Archibald said. “As far as this corner of Sandy Point is concerned, the walls of tribalism are breaking down and I congratulate and complement you on that giant step forward.”
The veteran educator stressed the need for citizens to have a “free vote” governed by the issues of the day and by an individual choice regarding the party that would best develop the constituency.
“I’ve talked on the PAM platform. I’ve talked on the Labour platform. I’m going to talk on Reggie’s [Reginald Thomas, Independent Candidate for Constituency Number Seven] platform because I am free. I was born a clear hundred years after emancipation. If St. Kitts people can find themselves in a situation where their vote is free to use however they wish every five years, St. Kitts would be reaching towards democracy,” Archibald underscored.
Also part of the head table were Deputy Party Leader and Parliamentary Representative for the area Hon. Shawn Richards, Party Leader Lindsay Grant, Constituency Number Five Campaign Manager Sonny Duggins and another invited speaker, political scientist Dr. Asyl Warner.
Richards told SKNVibes that the town hall meeting was “very successful”, noting Sandy Pointers not only turned out but took advantage of the opportunity to share their views on issues affecting the community and the nation at large.
Richards said the event has stirred a “new thrust” for Sandy Pointers, adding that “people are always happy for the opportunity to dialogue with their representatives and this is just one of many similar opportunities”.
Richards said the event empowered voters of the area and surrounding communities, and addressed the challenges and the way forward with PAM. He reassured the attendees that their ideas would be used to form policies if the party forms the new government in St. Kitts.
