Blanchette tenders resignation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “IN light of the ongoing controversy within the party and the conspiracy against freedom of expression, I wish to officially tender my resignation as the people’s Action Movement Candidate for East Basseterre.”

So said Glenroy Blanchette in a letter to Marvin Phillip, Chairman of the PAM East Basseterre Constituency Group, which was copied to PAM’s Chairman Sidney Osborne and Dr. Leroy Richardson, Immediate Past Chairman of the East Basseterre PAM Group.

In addition to the tendering of his resignation, Blanchette told SKNVibes that the letter was in response to “a missive I received from Marvin Phillip, the contents of which have left me even more disappointed in the leadership of the People’s Action Movement”.

A press release from PAM’s Secretariat dated Thursday, June 17, stated that the party’s East Basseterre Constituency Group had given notice in a letter to Party Chairman Sidney Osborne, copied to Blanchette, that the latter is no longer the group’s choice as representative for the Constituency.

The release read: “The letter stated that the group vehemently and unanimously disagrees with Mr. Blanchette’s unwarranted allegations in regard to the leadership of Mr. Lindsay Grant as well as the integrity of the recently held Delegate’s Convention.”
The group stressed its unequivocal support for Grant’s leadership and “would like to state categorically that its choice of Mr. Grant at Caucus was made without any pressure or fear, and wishes to distance itself from the offensive comments made in that regard”

The release further stated that the group expressed its disappointment with Blanchette’s post election conduct and its sadness that such a long-standing relationship had come to such an end.

Blanchette, who was the PAM candidate for Constituency Number One in the 2010 General Elections, noted that, in Phillip’s letter, he chose to make some unfounded allegations and erroneous statements regarding the principled stand he [Blanchette] took against corruption and poor leadership.

“In the first instance, I am surprised to learn that a new East Basseterre PAM Executive was put in place. It is rather disrespectful that I and many other members were not invited to the meeting to elect this new body. The secrecy surrounding the election of the new executive raises questions about its constitutionality and the reasons behind its formation.

“Secondly, I have never made any unwarranted and unfounded allegations in regard to the leadership of Mr. Lindsay Grant. The following points will suffice:
1. The Marriott Bribery Scandal is not an allegation. It is a fact;
2. There is no transparency and accountability with campaign finances;
3. It is a fact that Mr. Grant failed to provide the necessary leadership immediately after the 2010 General elections;
4. The decision to postpone the National Annual Convention and Caucus was unconstitutional (see Articles 10 and 11 of the Party’s Constitution);
5. It is a fact that candidates were excluded from important decision-making party affairs; and
6. It is a fact that the People’s Action Movement lost the 2010 General Elections.”

Blanchette noted that his statements were not ill-advised and the expressed views were “mine and the other four candidates who signed the confidential letter that was written to Mr. Sidney Osborne”.

He also noted that no survey was conducted to determine the views of the PAM membership in East Basseterre.

Stressing that the party’s Constitution is silent on the tenure of its candidates, Blanchette said, “It is erroneous of you to state that my ‘tenure as a candidate ended on the last elections’. It very important that persons in leadership positions of the party read and understand the party’s Constitution. Furthermore, I have been the East Basseterre PAM Candidate since 2004 and at no time thereafter until now was it indicated to me that my tenure as candidate had ended.”

The ousted candidate emphasised that he remains committed to the philosophy and core principles of the PAM. He thanked the East Basseterre Group for its support over the years and wished success in its future endeavours.

Conflict has been brewing in the PAM since Blanchette and four other candidates, Roy Fleming, Bernard Welsh, Junie Hodge and Ronald Williams signed a letter and sent it to the party Chairman on April 21, 2010 calling for Grant to step down as the Political Leader of the PAM.
 
The letter cited problems of poor judgment in an alleged land deal scandal at the Marriott Resort and problems of financial mismanagement in the party leading up to the January 25 General Elections.
 
Conflict in the saga peaked on Sunday, June 13 when Grant, unopposed, retained leadership of the party. Two days after, Blanchette received a letter informing him that he was dismissed with immediate effect as an employee of the PAM’s official organ, The Democrat.