Threatened with disciplinary action
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CHAIRMAN of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris faces the possibility of disciplinary action being taken against him for what the party’s executive described as actions which sought to bring destruction to the political entity.
In an interview with this publication, Deputy Chairman of the SKNLP Nigel Carty said that a meeting of the party’s executive was convened on Thursday (Jan. 17) and there was a deterioration of communication between Dr. Harris, who was chairing the meeting, and other members of that body.
Carty provided details of the happenings, explaining that things went south when Dr. Harris was asked to recuse himself so that a particular issue could be dealt with and he refused.
He said the specific matter centred Dr. Harris’ most recent Parliamentary address and things he said to members of the public that are not favourable to the SKNLP.
“Dr. Harris is the Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party. It is required that any officer and member of the Labour Party, if they are going to continue to be members or officers of the party, that they conduct themselves in the best interest of the party. If you can’t conduct yourself publicly in the best interest of the party then you either withdraw yourself from membership or from the office that you hold in the party or you be disciplined by the organisation.
“Dr. Harris had been making public statements which members of the party feel are not in the best interest of the party; his statement in Parliament, his statements that he has been making to persons in the wider community who have been reporting from time to time that, basically, he is running as an independent and that he is not running for the Labour Party, etc., etc.”
He added that “we felt that it was important to raise this as an issue on Thursday when he turned up to chair the meeting. Members asked for an amendment to the agenda that had been circulated prior to the meeting to seek to insert an item to deal with the determination as to disciplinary action for Dr. Harris.
“We first asked Dr. Harris to recuse himself for that particular item on the agenda. Because, if an agenda item pertains to you or possibly disciplinary action in relation to you, then you ought probably to recuse yourself.”
The Chair’s Deputy further explained that after about an hour-long verbal battle, and after both Dr. Harris and other members of the executive became angered and displayed signs of hostility, the motion to amend the agenda was moved and seconded.
Carty informed that the matter is expected to be addressed shortly and a written correspondence (if not yet delivered) is being drafted requesting Dr. Harris’ presence at that particular meeting.
“So, as soon as the party meets again in its executive meeting, we will be able to make a determination as to whether or not there will actually be disciplinary action for the Chairman of the Party.”
SKNVibes also spoke with Dr. Harris who explained that, from his understanding, the party executive members are “angered by the statement I made in Parliament”.
He said insults were hurled at him during the meeting and that he was threatened with disciplinary action.
But he seemed steadfast and told this publication that he stands by the presentation he made in Parliament, especially since it “reflected the wishes of (his) constituents and the people at large”.
“When people speak on matters of conscience people’s views ought to be respected, and our democracy must be such that we could tolerate people’s views. And if we can’t have tolerance within our own party, how can our party exist within the broader country? Charity begins at home and if a culture of intolerance and victimisation develops within the party, then the country could expect no less.”
The Labour Chairman said his actions are not “self-interested” and if they were he would have ignored the cries of masses and maintained his silence.
“I think what I said were true reflections of the people. The widespread support that I have received just confirms that the views I expressed were the views of the vast majority of the people. And what the party needs to be done and what the government needs to do is really to examine those views and see how they could chart a new course forward on behalf of the country. This is not a self-interested agenda, because one could have stayed quiet, ignore the voice of the people. But I have chosen to speak up and be the voice on behalf of the suffering masses of the people of the country.”
Dr. Harris said he does not know what disciplinary action would be taken or even if any would be taken, but indicated that he awaits a verdict.
