BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LINDSAY GRANT, Leader of opposition party the People’s Action Movement (PAM), has expressed his willingness to meet with Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas to facilitate a speedy resolution of several contentious issues.
“In the spirit of cooperation, love for our country and the desire to move forward, I wish to state that I am willing to meet with the Prime Minister as a matter of urgency, with a view to bringing these matters to a close.
“I await the Prime Minister’s direct communication.”
Grant issued the appeal during a speech aired last evening (Oct. 15) on WINN FM. The PAM Leader’s appeal came just hours after Douglas took to the airwaves in his own national broadcast.
Both broadcasts made reference to the ongoing legal saga between the PAM and the government over changes to the electoral constituency boundaries.
It all began in July when the PAM filed an injunction against the consideration of the report of the Constituency Boundaries Commission, which contained changes they contended were unconstitutional. Despite the court order, Parliament passed the report into law several days later, which caused PAM to seek two other injunctions, one of which prevented general elections from being held under the new boundaries.
Successive judges heard testimony on the various matters and appeals related to the case, and His Lordship Errol Thomas is set to deliver the ruling on the substantive matters on Monday (Oct. 18).
Grant revealed that representatives of his party and those of the government had met earlier in the year to discuss the same issues. He however said the discussions did not go well and noted that the government had “rebuffed” PAM’s efforts to speedily resolve the issues.
“During the first meeting on July 14, the PAM set out four issues of concern, namely, the need for international observers to monitor the elections, the misuse and abuse of national radio and television station ZIZ, the amendment to the Electoral Law obviously targeting myself and my Deputy Shawn Richards and, finally, the rush to change the boundaries so close to an election,” he informed.
According to Grant, the government’s lawyers had committed to taking their concerns back to Douglas, but a second meeting two days later resulted in a discouraging response.
“The government’s team responded by saying there was no problem with international monitors...in relation to ZIZ. That ZIZ is a company not controlled by the government and that PAM should address their concerns to the ZIZ Board, and that to enter into any further discussions beyond the two issues aforementioned, PAM would have to withdraw all its matters before the court.”
He added, “They also stated that the question of the validation of the proclamation would not be on the table for discussion and that the Prime Minister reserves the right to call the elections at the date and time when he chooses.”
Grant stated that, given these responses, it was clear the government was “not serious about reconciliation and resolution”.
