BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas said his new Cabinet would reflect the views of the Federation’s people, but admitted that his Labour Party team is not finished selecting portfolios or deciding on senatorial positions.
The Kittitian-Nevisian leader, who is currently on his way home from Libya, told his Press Secretary Erasmus Williams on Wednesday (Feb. 3) that the incoming Cabinet would represent the “maturity” of his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), which has been in power since 1995. He promised that the best persons available would be selected to the task of collectively managing the affairs of the entire country.
“The preparation for Sunday has been ongoing and I am being constantly kept up-to-date. Putting the Cabinet together has always been a very important exercise; one I started before I left the country. Aside from persons who have had the opportunity to chart the course of the country’s development for the past 14 years, the Cabinet will also bring in new blood and new energy.
“I am expecting that all of the elected members in the recent election will serve as Cabinet Ministers. Of course, we have still to confirm our selection of Senators and I hope that exercise will be completed very shortly.”
The entire conversation can be found on www.cuopm.com, the website of the Communication Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Douglas’ SKNLP achieved its fourth consecutive election victory on January 25 when it captured of six of the eight St. Kitts electoral Seats. Douglas was again sworn in as PM two days later, but announced that he would not reveal his ministerial team until Sunday (Feb. 7) at Warner Park.
Many have speculated that the 13-day wait between the election and the Cabinet’s formation was caused by discord in the Labour camp. However, Douglas insisted it was because of the need to ensure the participation of several overseas-based persons, not because there was conflict over the portfolio selections.
“We believe we have already identified the appropriate persons in Cabinet to vigorously pursue our social development agenda,” he maintained. “The economic challenges that we face, especially as a result of the global crisis, are expected to continue to some extent. That’s why we need maturity...some measure of continuity to ensure the financial agenda continues apace.”
According to a release by Williams, all of the SKNLP’s successful candidates would be sworn on Sunday, as well as three Senators including the Attorney-General.
Entertainment will come in the form of four-peat Calypso Monarch Konris Maynard and noted poet Jihan Williams.
Representatives from the SKNLP executive, the Nevis Island Administration, civil society, the private sector, and the Diplomatic and Consular Corps are expected to attend the ceremony.
