BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POLITICAL LEADER-ELECT of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) has already begun outlining his plans for the party and – by extension – the country, beginning with strengthening the different arms of the party and increasing the confidence of the people in that party.
Two days ago – during a Special Delegates Convention – Shawn K. Richards, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Five, came up against Eugene Hamilton, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Eight, in a bid for the leadership position and edged him out by one vote.
Richards, however, would not become the political leader until after the Special Convention of September 30, 2012 ratified his election.
Speaking exclusively with SKNVibes, Richards explained that his first order of business as Political Leader is consulting with the members of the various arms of PAM with a view to improving their strength and reach.
“The first order of business for me is to strengthen the different arms of the party. We have – for example – our National Young Pamites, our constituency groups, our strategy committee, our relations with the media. These for me must be priority number one. We must strengthen the People’s Action Movement so that persons consider the party not just vibrant but a party that they see a confidence in supporting to become the next government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I will sit with the members of the executive, the supporters, the different constituency groups etc. to get their input, because at the end of the day it is not just about Shawn, it is about a membership and they must also be included. But we will sit and we will come up with different ideas and strategies that one would have to implement in order to achieve these objectives.”
Richards was asked by this publication about what he intends to do in regaining that confidence of the people which was negatively impacted by “The Marriott Situation” involving outgoing Political Leader Lindsay F. Grant.
“One cannot win a general election unless it is that you have the necessary support of persons, and as such the goal it to convert as many persons as possible or to get as many persons as possible to have confidence in the People’s Action Movement. So it’s not just about persons who have a perception one way or the next about Lindsay Grant, but about all persons out there in showing them that the People’s Action Movement is offering them a better alternative to what they currently have.
“When you look at the economic situation in St. Kitts and Nevis, one can only come to the conclusion that the current Labour administration has mismanaged the economic affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis. And so that is one of the things which we will stress as a party that life can be better and will be better under the People’s Action Movement.”
The 39-year-old admits that the task ahead is challenging and formidable but not one that is insurmountable. He is convinced that life in St. Kitts-Nevis would be much easier and more comfortable under a PAM-administration.
“It is a major task but a task that I have already set my mind to and one which I know is doable and achievable. I have had challenges before in life and just as I have been able to overcome those, working along with supporters, the executive, the candidates etc., we will collectively surmount all of the challenges which face the People’s Action Movement.
