BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN front of a very large crowd at the Warner Park Stadium, the incumbent St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) launched its 2010 campaign manifesto “Progress not Promises” on Saturday evening (Jan. 16).
The 54-page document outlines the SKNLP’s vision in matters critical to national development such as housing, education, healthcare and renewable energy. It also highlights the advancements made by the political party in these areas during its 14-year tenure.
Prior to the manifesto’s unveiling, the SKNLP’s eight candidates for the upcoming election were presented before the eager crowd. Each nominee spoke briefly about their plans for the respective constituencies and expressed confidence in their chances of victory.
SKNLP Political Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas took to the stage to officially launch the manifesto, which he praised as “the vision and blueprint for the continued development of St. Kitts-Nevis”. He stressed that his party had been at the helm of progressive change since its 199
“This manifesto is the vision for St. Kitts-Nevis, a vision that embraces all in this country, irrespective of age, station in life, because Labour believes in looking after the interest of every single man and woman. We have a proud record of progress on which to build our future,” Douglas boasted.
“It was we who initiated a programme that has revolutionised the economy, and we have pushed our small island Federation to the forefront of economic and social development in the region. We are continuing on the path of good, progressive change, not change for the sake of change’s sake. This is a change that has taken our people from poverty and landless to strength through empowerment, education and wealth creation.”
With exactly one week before the January 25 general election, the SKNLP and St. Kitts opposition party the People’s Action Movement (PAM) have intensified their campaign efforts. Both parties have held public meetings nightly since the date was first announced, and have raised the level of their political rhetoric and accusations.
At a press conference last week, PAM Leader Lindsay Grant publicly criticised the SKNLP’s manifesto, claiming it was “abysmal” and “devoid of any real solutions for the problems facing the nation”. PAM has yet to release its own document, but promised it would be of a higher quality than that of the Labour’s Party.
Meanwhile, Douglas warned persons assembled at Warner Park and those tuned in via television and radio that a change in leadership would have negative repercussions for the Federation. He pointed to the recent re-election of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) as a sign that voters in the region were aware of the importance of experienced leaders.
“Countries that have changed their leadership are those encountering severe economic difficulties. There is no room for indecisiveness and policy mistakes. The people of Dominica fully understood this, and returned the mandate to lead to the DLP.
“I am persuaded that the St. Kitts-Nevis people will also deliver a resounding mandate to the Labour team so that we may continue to provide effective leadership in the midst of this very stormy global environment,” Douglas declared.
In the 2004 general election, the SKNLP won seven of the eight St. Kitts parliamentary seats, while PAM claimed the remaining one. The victory was Labour’s third consecutive success at the polls, following the 15-year rule of PAM from 1980 to 1995.
