By Stephen Hector

I have heard many ministers, of religion that is; ask the rhetoric, “Is it well with your souls?”

Though I stand not in ministerial leadership within our Federation I question whether or not it is well with the souls of Nevisians at a time like this.

I often wondered why the then Premier Honourable Vance Amory was so heavily politically chastised for standing neutral when our loving political brothers wanted to strategically position him in an apparent elevated position. Especially when taking into account that intrinsically each Nevisian really prefers to operate in all areas of his well-being a little bit further away from the federal dynamics of our union.

I often wondered whether it is beneficial for any true Nevisian not to be interested in federal politics. Sadly though, I must report that as an island we have been suffering for too long because of the apparent genuine disinterest in federal politics by a few Nevisians.

If we look carefully at the past sixteen years we can see many areas in which Nevis as an island has not matured at its fullest potential, whether it be in national security, education or tourism as a direct result of the two types of leaders that governed over the period. It is clear public knowledge that many opportunities for growth and development were not seized, secured nor strategically extracted and, in most recent years, we have a leader who is known publicly not wanting to be involved in federal politics.

I think it is equally as bad to fail to represent people as it is to fail to position one’s self to further represent people whom one is already representing.  

During a town hall meeting for the Hon. Robelto Hector in the 2006 local election campaign, I heard him clearly outline his position of the need for secession of the island of Nevis from the Federation. He too was chastised. Again I wondered why. Why should a Nevisian be chastised for taking a position which makes him a Nevisian?

Whilst in St. Kitts on Monday of this week, I took time out to understand the expression “it’s working.” As I journeyed back I contemplated that the Nevis Island Administration is in a uniquely unfortunate position with respect to its federal relationship right now. I say this because of the fact that the island’s governing party holds a minority of seats at the Federal level, the governing party does not hold opposition leadership, the federal member of parliament is not clothed with ministerial powers in Nevis and the leader of our Island is not involved in the Federal dynamics of the Federation, and it is undoubtedly quite difficult for him to influence such dynamics as it is often difficult to attempt to advise one who advises you.

I wondered if it’s working in Nevis too. On my return I saw smiles on the faces of some and frustration on others. I later learnt that there was a special programme hosted on choice FM on Monday evening too. The atmosphere that I was exposed to felt like an eclipse both of the sun and the moon. Of course, many persons are now seeing a flipped side of the coin but we must remember that though the coin appears flipped the call of 113 ought not to be made out of mere political emotion nor failed to be invoked be as a result of personal political pride.

As a people, we must agree that we are now affected by recent federal changes whether in a good or bad way. We have been told and shown by our two recent leaders in the past sixteen years that federal politics is not that important to us. This as evidenced is not true and correct with respect to the well-being of Nevisians. So I humbly urge and encourage you the public to demand more from your parties by ensuring that persons who lead the party are totally concerned about your entire well-being as a Nevisian. A leader ought to be totally concerned about both the local and federal political dynamics as well as the interim coexistence of our Island until other changes come to fruition. This is a type of leadership which I am convinced can only come from a different kind of politician at the helm of both sides of the divide.

Change is like a corner; it’s not the end of the road unless you fail to turn.