BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 9th 2009 (PAM Secretariat) - As the political tension in St. Kits and Nevis deepens and appeals continue to increase from opposition parties for the calling of elections, the two main political parties in St. Kitts are at it again. This time, however, it is the People’s Action Movement (PAM) accusing the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party of being indiscipline.
Responding to comments made by the Federation’s Prime Minister last week on his weekly radio show “Ask the PM”, the PAM is reminding the Government that the PM’s five-year tenure since the last elections has been completed and his reluctance to calling elections should be seen as a breach of decent ethics. The main opposition party also views this action as being irresponsible on the part of PM Dr Denzil Douglas.
Deputy Political Leader of PAM, the Hon. Shawn Richards said that because members of the ruling Labour Party continue to exhibit indisciplined behaviour, they are creating undue and increased challenges.
“We within the People’s Action Movement strongly reiterate that as a responsible stakeholder, the Labour Party is expected to use its influence to effect upon the Prime Minister an attitude that should be deemed as being responsible, mature and respectful for the people and laws of St. Kitts and Nevis. As such, we urge the party’s leadership to hasten in ensuring that elections are held at the earliest possible time,” Richards said.
Richards further noted that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis have been urging and calling for elections. He said that the Government’s mandate had concluded on October 25 and therefore elections should be held so as to ensure the wishes and desires of the people are respected.
He issued a passionate appeal to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Sam Condor and Party Chairman, the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris to encourage and demand that PM Douglas adheres to the wishes and desires of the people.
“He (Prime Minister) has been boasting how he has defeated us at the past three elections and how he would continue to defeat us. If he is so confident of his ability to defeat us, then he should not have this fear of running from calling elections. Therefore, we urge him to call it now and demonstrate that he is truly a man that knows what he saying,” Richards declared.
Richards said he strongly believes it is absolutely necessary that elections are held so as to stop the prolonged situation that the private and public sectors have been encountering. He added that the PM’s determination to change boundaries at this stage, with less than five weeks to go, would be inadequate when the same boundaries committee was unable to get its work done in three years.
Richards said he also sees it as being disrespectful and in contempt of Justice Thomas‘s ruling.
“Indeed, whether the Prime Minister wants to proceed with changing the boundaries, he is aware that he cannot do so at this stage. Therefore, the People’s Action Movement can only implore the Labour Party to immediately cause this improper delay of holding of elections to be terminated. Let the public decide who they want to govern their affairs for another five years” Richards stressed.
