BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AMID a crowd of friends and family, diplomats, and Labour Party supporters, Dr. Denzil Douglas was sworn in yesterday (Jan. 27) for a historic fourth term as the Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis.
After His Lordship Justice Francis Belle administered the oath of allegiance, Governor-General His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian signed the instrument of appointment officially establishing Douglas as government leader. The ceremony came a day after Douglas’ St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) claimed victory in the federal election by winning six of the eight electoral seats in St. Kitts.
Douglas has led the SKNLP for over 20 years, steering it towards successive election victories since 1995.
In a brief speech following the swearing in ceremony, the distinguished leader stressed that it was time for the partisan campaigning to end and a national healing process to begin.
“We must start this new journey together. The campaign has been hard, trying, testing and bruising, but I ask that the healing process begin today. We must recognise one another as our brother’s keeper. Let’s use this victory in consolidating our effort to realise the programmes and policies of the government.”
He added that the government would soon undertake a public sector reform exercise to ensure the interest of each citizen was being met, and called on every person to do their part in the national reconciliation.
“I cannot do it alone, my team cannot do it alone. It takes the support of all of us,” said Douglas. “It takes the prayers of all from our nation so that we will survive. Not only survive, but we would be able to continue to lead a life where each man and woman can be proud, proud from the quality of life that we shall enjoy so that we can be proud citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Prime Minister then posed with the other successful SKNLP candidates – Earl Asim Martin, Marcella Liburd, Sam Condor, Glenn ‘Ghost’ Phillip and Dr. Timothy Harris, who were elected to represent Constituencies Number One, Two, Three, Four and Seven, respectively.
Although the SKNLP captured three-quarters of the St. Kitts electoral seats, the party fared worse in comparison to the elections of 2000 and 2004, when it lost zero and one seat, respectively.
However, PM Douglas was quick to point out that he still considered it a “comprehensive victory”, and noted his only regret was that Labour’s two unsuccessful candidates, Dr. Norgen Wilson and Cedric Liburd, would not be able to help form the government.
Douglas said he expected to name his Cabinet by no later than Sunday (Jan. 31) and would do so in an open forum, thus allowing the thousands of SKNLP supporters to share in the moment.
