CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE war within the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) between its Leader Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge and her Deputy Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds has taken another turn as the Executive has suspended the latter for going against its wishes.
Currently, the Party is stuck is stuck with a serious problem as the two individuals have not been able to agree on who should be Leader of the Opposition, which would eventually lead to selection of the Senator for the opposition benches.
SKNVibes understands that by virtue of her being Leader of the NRP, Dr. Daniel-Hodge was expected to be elevated to the position with agreement by the Executive. Now, it is understood that there was a challenge to that by Stapleton-Simmonds.
Party sources noted that a number of meetings were held between both parties and Statpleton-Simmonds, as she indicated on radio that she is not seeking the Leadership of the Opposition. However, she is looking to have a dialogue on who should be selected as the Senator.
SKNVibes also understands that the two of them must agree and sign a letter acknowledging that one or the other has commanded the majority support of the opposition to become the Leader. But, according to reports, Stapleton-Simmonds has not signed the letter.
Now, the NRP Executive has had enough and has suspended Stapleton-Simmond, with party insiders suggesting that if the matter is not resolved within the coming days, further disciplinary actions could be taken.
“”With two elected members, the NRP is entitled to have one member appointed as Opposition Leader, provided that that member is supported by the other elected member. The Opposition Leader is entitled to nominate a Senator in the Nevis Island Assembly.
“The Executive Committee of the Nevis Reformation Party took a decision on December 29th, 2022, that I, as Party Leader, should be appointed the Opposition Leader. The Hon. Cleone Stapeleton–Simmonds was made aware of the Executive decision and was requested to advise the GG (Governor General) of her support for me as the Opposition Leader in furtherance of the decision of the Executive,” Dr. Daniel-Hodge said in a media statement.
She continued: “It is with regret that I inform you that, to date, Honorable Cleone Stapeleton-Simmonds has not complied with the request of the Executive Committee to sign the letter. As such, the Governor-General has not appointed an Opposition Leader.
“As leader of this party, therefore, I wish to advise that the Honorable Cleone Stapeleton-Simmonds has been conditionally suspended from the institutions of the NRP, pending the findings and recommendations of the NRP Disciplinary Committee.”
But that is not sitting well with Stapleton-Simmonds, who has reiterated numerous times that she is not interested in the Leader of the Opposition position, but rather wants to have an input in the selection of the Senator.
She told Freedom FM recently that she does not understand the basis for her suspension, explaining “that is a matter that will be dealt with in due course”.
“Like I said, we live in a democracy and we have to all compromise. If it is that it’s two persons who have to make this decision at the end of the day, I believe that you know, we must expect and we must expect conduct and behaviour and sensible action and mature action from both persons, not just one person,” said Stapleton-Simmonds.
While highlighting that there’s no absolute rule, Stapleton-Simmonds noted that the decisions must be guided by the “Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis” and no one should be bullied but rather there should be give and take.
“...we cannot bully people into making decisions; we have to be able to persuade people. Section 58 clearly states that the Governor-General is guided by the person who commands the support of the other elected representatives. You have to command the support! The support should not be bullied; it is not demanded…we have to be able to compromise.”
The Party is working to get the problem resolved ahead of the Budget Debate which begins on February 20.
