BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMER government minister Jacinth Henry-Martin has issued a resounding endorsement of the newest woman elected to Parliament, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party’s (SKNLP) Marcella Liburd.
“[Liburd] has already proven herself. Her victory was decisive and clinical, and it was based on merit, not because she was a woman,” said Henry-Martin. “While that is a significant factor we need to celebrate. Marcella won because she was efficient, her tactics were honest and her gestures were genuine.
“She has proven herself not only as an administrator, but as a capable executioner of any exercise she takes on. In terms of following on what I have started, I have no doubt she will be successful serving at a higher level.”
Henry-Martin preceded Liburd as the only female Parliamentarian in the National Assembly, a position first achieved by People’s Action Movement (PAM) representative Constance Mitcham. Both Henry-Martin and Liburd were candidates of the incumbent Labour Party, with the former serving as Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports from 2000 to 2004.
Liburd was part of the SKNLP’s six-seat election victory on January 25, winning Constituency Two by 431 votes over her nearest challenger, PAM candidate Roy Fleming.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, the new representative attributed her victory to the efforts of SKNLP supporters, and said she was still unaware about what portfolios she would receive during her swearing-in tomorrow (Feb. 7).
“I thought the machinery worked very well, especially on Election Day, because you know at the end of the day, it’s getting the votes out that count, no matter how much support you have prior to that day. I was confident I would win because the machinery was well-oiled and I want to thank all the persons who made it possible.
“I really have no idea about what ministries I may get. I know one will definitely be Gender. I’ve been getting calls from women who are saying it’s about time a woman was in there again to push women’s issues. But I’m into Youth, Sports, Law and Education, so it could be any one of those too.”
Constituency-wise, Liburd said that one of her major goals would be to reduce crime through both short and long-term approaches. Measures would include restoring community festivals, recognising deviant behaviour from an earlier age and enhancing parenting throughout the villages.
Shortly after picking up two seats in the last election, PAM announced it would challenge the results in Constituencies One, Two and Four.
Liburd claimed she was not worried by the development and noted it was their “constitutional right”, but admitted she thought it was just a case of “fox and sour grapes”.
