BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has committed to signing the NGO Coalition’s Code of Conduct for the Political Process, but is still waiting on action by representatives of the tripartite organisation.
During a press conference at Masses House yesterday (Jan. 11), Prime Minister and SKNLP Leader Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas implied that his party’s delay in signing the Code was due to the coalition’s failure to provide an updated version. He had earlier expressed concern about the format of the document and asked the group to alter it accordingly.
“In the last meeting I had with the NGO Coalition, I gave my full support as the Leader of the Labour Party. However, they were told that the way it was structured was very ambiguous and committed the Labour Party to determine, for example, how the media should behave during the campaign,” Douglas explained.
“I can’t speak for the media, so they should be allowed to sign their own code. I sign on behalf of the Labour Party. But they have not brought the revised document to me to sign at all. I still don’t know why.”
SKNVibes contacted Coalition Chairman, Bishop Ron Dublin-Collins, who said that his organisation had been in contact with Douglas’ office since November of last year and that the revised version was ready and awaiting the Prime Minister’s signature.
“The Code was first circulated to all the political parties in the summer, but we met with Douglas in early November about signing it. We took the decision to make the adjustments in November so that it is clear he will only be signing on behalf of the Labour Party.
“His concern was that he was taking responsibility for something he couldn’t control. I have contacted his office since then trying to get feedback on his willingness to sign, and I still think he will do so before Nomination Day on Friday (Jan. 15).”
So far, only St. Kitts opposition party the People’s Action Movement has signed the Code. According to Dublin-Collins, independent candidates are supposed to become signatories later today (Jan. 12).
The Chairman further revealed that Hon. Vance Amory, Leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement, had previously indicated his party’s compliance, but that the coalition was still unable to make contact with Hon. Joseph Parry, Nevisian Premier and Leader of the Nevis Reformation Party.
All 11 Parliamentary seats in the Federation (eight in St. Kitts and three in Nevis) will be contested on January 25, the nation’s seventh election since achieving independence in 1983.
