BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the House of Parliament have decided to return representative for Constituency Number Nine on Nevis, Mark Brantley, as their chosen leader.
The Federation went to the polls on January 25, 2010 and at the end of that exercise the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party captured six of the 11 Federal seats, with the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) capturing two seats each, while the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) picked up the remaining seat.
Effectively the Labour Party government strengthened its six seats and weakened the opposition to four when the lone elected NRP representative, Patrice Nisbett, took up office as the Attorney-General in the Labour administration.
The cloud of uncertainty which hovered over the Federation since the elections as to who would serve as the Opposition Leader was lifted earlier today (Feb. 23) when Brantley made the announcement via a local media house.
Speaking with WINNFM 98.9, Brantley said that both the CCM and the PAM held “wide-ranging” discussions that resulted in the PAM throwing its support in his direction, for which he is appreciative.
“We…as mature individuals, would have sat and would have had wide-ranging discussions in terms of the various positions to be filled on the opposition benches. And I am happy to say that the People’s Action Movement has decided to support me as Leader of the Opposition so that I can continue in that role that I have been playing for the last two and a half years or so. I am very grateful to them for that support…and the confidence they have shown in me and the leadership that I have sought to provide at that level,” Brantley said.
He explained that the PAM would be responsible for designating an individual to fill the senatorial position in the Opposition, as provided by the Federation’s Constitution.
“The understanding is that the People’s Action Movement would select the senatorial position on the opposition benches to strengthen their voice at the Federal level. I am, however, uncertain as we speak as to the identity of that particular individual, but I am assured by the members of the People’s Action Movement that an announcement formally would be made very soon.”
Member of the Opposition and representative for Constituency Number Five, Shawn K. Richards outlined the process of selection and congratulated Brantley.
“The constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis says that the Leader of the Opposition is appointed by the Governor General, taking into consideration the person on the opposition bench who commands the support of the majority of persons.
“I take the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Brantley on his appointment as the Leader of the Opposition. Together, as opposition members, I am positive that we will work together in the interest of all citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Asked about the identity of the individual who would fill the senatorial position, Richards informed that a press release would be issued shortly.
Brantley first became Leader of the Opposition in 2007 after the seat was made vacant by the death of CCM Member of Parliament for Constituency Number Nine, the Hon. Malcolm Guishard.
The unfortunate turn of events forced by-elections on Nevis and though the race between NRP’s Hensley Daniel and CCM’s Brantley was a close run, the latter emerged victorious. Having received the support of his fellow Opposition members, he succeeded Guishard as the Federal Parliament’s Opposition Leader.
