BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Today (Jan. 29), Members of Parliament (MPs) are expected to once again meet to debate the contentious Senators (Increasing of Number), 2012 Bill.
Following their last Parliamentary meeting, the Legislature did not agree for the passing of the Bill; with two government Ministers posing unbridled opposition to it.
In the interest of the nation, SKNVibes sought to garner the opinion of some individuals concerning the outcome of today’s sitting or, at least, the options which are available to the Political Leader of the Federal Government, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
The persons with whom this publication spoke preferred to do so on condition of anonymity and, once satisfied that the condition was met, they proposed a number of interesting scenarios which, in their view, could play out today.
“Dr. Douglas knows what he is doing and I do not think he would proceed with any bill unless he is certain that he has majority support in the House for that bill. If Sam and Tim join the Opposition in voting against the Senators Bill, there would be a tie and the Bill cannot pass.”
Piggybacking on that idea, a young woman from the Basseterre area – who indicated that she is not a supporter of any of the political parties in the Federation – explained that the recent appointment of Jason Hamilton to the post of Attorney General was “calculated” and “deliberate”.
“I am not sure, but this is my thought process…Can Jason Hamilton vote on bills? Because if he can, it is likely that the Bill would be passed. If Harris and Condor join the Opposition in rejecting the Senators Bills – and I believe that is what they are going to do – then both sides would have an equal number of votes. But with Hamilton in the mix – and once he is able to vote – that is the spoiler.”
A young man – who appears to be in his 20s – proposed a very interesting twist on the scheme of things, suggesting that should the Senators (Increasing of Number), 2012 Bill fail to be passed in the House, Dr. Douglas could dissolve Parliament. This – he said – would be to prevent the looming Motion of No Confidence against Dr. Douglas and the Government from being tabled in the Federal Parliament.
The young man suggested that following the dissolution of the House, both Harris and Condor would be evicted from the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and two other candidates would be fielded as their replacements.
With a very different prediction, was a middle-aged man from a village along the western corridor of the island.
“I believe the Senators Bill would be passed and Prime Minister Douglas would allow the No Confidence Motion to be tabled during the next sitting of Parliament. He will allow democracy to take its course.”
And as expressed by another, “I expect that there will be heated discussion again, but the Bill will pass only because of the new AG.”
Regardless of the predictions, all would have to wait until the sitting begins or concludes to find out what the exact outcome would be.
The session is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m.
