BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER years of waiting, the Team Unity construct yesterday (Nov. 7) won its court case that challenged the decision of the then Speaker of the National Assembly, Curtis Martin, when he refused to allow debates on a Motion of No Confidence (MONC) brought against the then Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas-led administration.
While in opposition, the Team Unity Government had brought the Motion to the National Assembly, challenging the constitutionality of the Labour Party administration, but it was never heard in the House.
As a consequence, the Team Unity construct moved to the court to have the matter heard, and reporters were told by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris that they were victorious on all fronts that they had challenged.
He explained that he was advised by the Attorney General that the High Court Judge, Justice Perletta Lanns, had ruled in their favour.
“…delivered judgement in what is popularized as the Motion of No Confidence case. It was a case where then as members of the opposition had brought against the Denzil Douglas administration for its failure to bring before the Parliament the matter to do with the Motion of No Confidence.
“I am advised that on all the points that we raised, the High Court found in favour of those of us who brought the case to the court. And so today (yesterday) has been a tremendous verdict, which I think will become the example throughout the rest of the Caribbean as to how government should treat with Motions of No Confidence.”
According to PM Harris, they had argued that it had to be dispatched and that “it was unbecoming of the Douglas administration to have denied the democracy within the Parliament of St. Kitts and Nevis by failing to allow the Motion to be tabled and to go to an eventual vote”.
He disclosed that they “feel a sense of vindication”, pointing out that “it is a big day for democracy in St. Kitts and Nevis” and that it represents a “repudiation for the policies of the Douglas administration that led for an extended period of time a MONC laying abeyance”.
This decision, PM Harris noted, is significant in that it speaks to how “democracy should function”, stressing that what the court has done by the judgement is to indicate that “never again should a government in St. Kitts and Nevis do what the Douglas administration in the hearing of the Motion of No Confidence”.
“It sets standards in which other persons in democracy could use as a precedent…” he said.
SKNVibes understands that Justice Lanns is expected to submit her written report during the course of this week.
