St Kitts and Nevis lags behind CARICOM for Integrity in Public Life

Mr Lindsay Grant, Leader of the People's Action Movement

The annual declaration of assets is one of the main features of this legislation intended to uphold the high standard of trust required for public officials.?

On the other hand, Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has failed to pass similar Integrity in Public Life legislation, which has been on the table for St. Kitts and Nevis since 1996. Nor did the Labour Government keep its promise to implement the Integrity in Public Life legislation following the 2004 General Election.
 
Yet the 2004 Labour Manifesto states: "Complete the process of Integrity in Public Life legislation, and other relevant regulations."  (See p.46, 2004 St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Manifesto) 

?Although a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), St. Kitts and Nevis under the Labour Government lags behind other countries - Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent  and the Grenadines, Dominica, and most recently Barbados - which have all made similar provisions for Integrity in Public Life legislation. On the other hand, under the Labour Government St. Kitts and Nevis now has the highest crime rate and highest total debt of all countries in the OECS subregion of CARICOM.

The People's Action Movement (PAM) calls upon PM Dr. Denzil Douglas and the Labour Government to pass the legislation on Integrity in Public Life, in order for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to hold public officials to the general standard set in the Caribbean Community.

Mr. Lindsay Grant
Leader of the Opposition
People's Action Movement