BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INCUMBENT CHAIRMAN of the ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris charged the party’s delegates and supporters to choose unity instead of division, noting it is a vote for courage to mend fences and build bridges, as well as to win the next election.
“…Alas, after 80 years, Labour must be prepared to make itself worthy of another 80. Labour must decide today between blessings and cures, between life and death, and between an unhealthy menu and a life-giving five-course meal.
“If we are what is wrong, we have what it takes to make it right. We can carve out triumph out of tragedies. We were manufactured for greatness and built for honour. Let us choose to make this conference on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the party a time of renewal and a place of refreshment…a time of unifying the party rather than splintering it into bits and pieces,” Dr. Harris said.
The Party Chairman was at the time delivering the Opening Address at the 80th Anniversary Commemorative Conference of the founding of the SKNLP, which was held today (May 20) at the Royal St. Kitts Marriott Hotel.
Earlier in his address, Dr. Harris indicated to the party’s delegates, supporters and invited guests that “Choose Unity” was his chosen template for reflection on that particular topic.
Dr. Harris made reference to the period of trials, tribulations, deprivation and abject poverty caused by a global depression that saw the emergence of the Workers League, which birth gave hope to a suffering people.
He noted that the Workers League was born to lead people to a new land of promise and opportunity, which was to be anchored in democracy, good governance and a people-centered development.
And that the leaders in those days (80 years ago) knew much could not have been achieved if the masses were not free in terms of the right to work, the right to associate, the right to all fundamental freedoms including the right to choose a government in free and fair elections.
He stressed that the Labour Party leaders back then knew that transformation of the country would only be meaningful and sustainable when the people were at the fulcrum of decision-making, and that they (the leaders) collectively possessed the wisdom to know the difference between sincerity to accept and the courage to change.
Dr, Harris told the gathering that the founding fathers of the SKNLP had sacrificed their pride and personal preference for the dynamic longevity of the party, and that is the primary reason the current leaders had inherited a proud tradition of exemplary leadership and a vibrant people-centered democracy.
“Today, the successor entity to the Workers League, the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, must continue that proud tradition of proactive action in favour of justice, democracy and development.
“Today, we are in the throes of another recession. Its consequences are serious: significant layoff of workers, reduced work, few job openings and an increasing number of people whose lives are difficult. Today, we are at a crossroad between life and death, fatigue and flourishing, looking ahead and old loyalties…Shall we tilt our dignified resolve to win again into an all powerful trap of defeat?” Harris said.
He stressed the importance of action and not promise, noting that the Labour Party must now strike a balance between the imperatives of fiscal discipline and prudence and the lives of ordinary people who are overwhelmed by the rising cost of living, austerity measures, high electricity bill and mortgages beyond their reach.
Dr. Harris indicated that the future of the Federation depends on the fashioning of a moral and courageous response; an achievement which is not beyond the Labour Party.
“The Conference on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the party must help with this refashioning, redirecting of the party and government to a truly people-centered agenda, built on old values of service, with a new vision of action.
“This Conference must look to the future with the confidence that the best is yet to come for our people and country. We cannot be satisfied with simply doing well when the best is achievable. We cannot be satisfied with our people eking out a living when they could be enjoying the abundant life. We cannot postpone doing what it takes to democratise procedures, systems, processes and policy makers within the party making it not just a long standing party but as the most flexible, effective and responsive party to local trends, regional challenges and global transformations.”
He also said that the leaders could not silence the appeals for better governance, succession planning or for rekindling the camaraderie within the party, and that attention must be paid to the voices that promote best practices that inspire confidence which work toward a durable peace.
Referencing a quote from Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Harris said, “I’d like to see us ‘heal with malice toward none, with charity toward all’. We can choose reconciliation and embrace, or we can choose selfish ambition and division. We must avoid danger zones. We must recharge ourselves into a welcoming haven.”
In his closing remarks, Dr. Harris said, “Henry Miller is right: ‘Our destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things!’ I dare us to choose light! Before us are two futures: Division and Unity. I challenge you to choose Unity. A choice for unity is a vote for courage to maintain stability, courage to mend fences and build bridges, courage to build a better future, courage to achieve greater things, courage to give the next generation their time in sunshine, courage to mentor our young people, courage to win the next election, courage to build a great and prosperous SKN.
“Courage comrades do not stumble. Though thy path be dark as night, there is a star to guide the humble, trust in God and do the right. Do the right for you, for the party and, most of all, for our dear country.
