BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN addition to having expressed their interest in operating at the helm of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Shawn Richards and Eugene Hamilton seem to have their sights set on a higher level in the political arena.
Just last week, the two men were confirmed as the only nominees for the Leadership of PAM and both spoke to SKNVibes about their aspirations and their plans – not only for the party but also the country.
The gentlemen currently serve – and have for some time – as co-Deputy Leaders of the PAM and when Lindsay Grant announced his September 30, 2012 resignation from the party, they made known their intentions to seek election to that position.
Richards – Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Five – said he is happy to be nominated, noting that it signals the confidence of persons within the PAM in his ability to lead the party.
Whether as the head of the PAM or as the political leader of the country, Richards intimated that there are several issues that need urgent attention, which he would try his best to address.
“The economy of St. Kitts and Nevis has been struggling for the past number of years, partly due to the fiscal mismanagement of the Denzil Douglas-led administration. Therefore, one will have to pay much attention to our economy. It will require recognition that the private sector is the engine of growth in the Federation.
“Recognising this, it therefore means that government must develop a relationship with the private sector with an aim towards expanding the growth and development of businesses within St. Kitts and Nevis. There must be a level playing field for all businesses regardless of whether it is locally-owned or foreign-owned.”
He noted that this would lead to job-creation which would lead to a reduction in the Federation’s unemployment rate.
Directly linked to that – Richards explained – is the high cost of living which threatens to suffocate many.
“The cost of living is also impacting citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, and so a critical look must be taken at what can be done to reduce the cost of living for citizens. This would require a look at government expenditure, a look at current taxes that citizens are currently burdened with, such as the VAT and electricity charges in particular.”
He also named an increase in crime-fighting efforts, the elimination of victimisation and discrimination to allow all to partake of the country’s resources regardless of party as issues which he would address.
Hamilton – who provides representation in the House of Parliament for Constituency Number Eight – said he has been providing strong advocacy for a number of areas, actions which he emphatically stated would continue should he take up office at Leader of the PAM or if eventually elected Leader of the Federation.
“This gives me the opportunity to be able to promote and introduce and pursue some bold initiatives and policies that I have been articulating for some time. I have been articulating that the time is now for us to move away from the concept of just being service-oriented people and to encourage our citizens to use their intellectual capacity to become creative, to become entrepreneurs and even to invent.
“And the way to do that is to provide a source of capital, which I call venture capital, so that those who have proposals which are not bankable proposals can find funding and channel those ideas into productive results that can make them and their families financially independent and, along the way, employ people.”
The introduction of a “Comprehensive Medical Insurance Scheme”, the institution of a Sugar Workers’ Holding Company Fund”, are some of the other areas which Hamilton says he would continue advocating whether be it as Leader of PAM or Political Leader of the Federation.
He said he has offered himself for service because of his belief in the “utilitarian principle of governance – which is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people”.
Each nominee was asked if he believes himself to be the better candidate of the two to lead the PAM and by extension the Federation, and both sang the same chorus that they think themselves fitting and equipped for leadership just as the other is.
The two parliamentarians were also unified in expression when they indicated that regardless of who wins the bid for leadership of the PAM, the aim is to “bring about a change of government in St. Kitts Nevis for the betterment of our people”.
