BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HISTORIAN Washington ‘Washie’ Archibald is suggesting that the latest chain of events linked to the Denzil Douglas-led St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration marks only the beginning of the end of that government.
Archibald – who is very vocal on social and political issues – explained to SKNVibes that an analysis of events stretching back to the passage of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (Vesting of Certain Lands) 2012 Bill shows of what is to come.
Events
In September 2012 when the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (Vesting of Certain Lands) Bill 2012 was being debated, former Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor and former Senior Minister Dr. Timothy Harris spoke out against the Bill – which was sponsored by the government.
And in late November 2012, they raised serious objections to the Senators (Increasing of Number) 2012 Bill and even voted against it. However, with the appointment and swearing in of a new Attorney-General as a Senator of the House, the Bill was passed with an 8-7 vote.
Prior to the passage of that Bill, Prime Minister Dr. Douglas fired Dr. Harris from his Cabinet and following the passage of the Bill, Condor tendered his resignation.
In addition, a Motion of No Confidence hangs over the head of the government which was filed two months ago and has yet to be tabled in the Federal Parliament.
The beginning of the end
“I think these are signs that Dr. Douglas’ time has almost come. I don’t think he can wiggle out of this one,” Archibald expressed to this publication.
According to the seasoned social commentator, situations have past presented themselves which Prime Minister Douglas has been able to see his way through. But – he continued – this time might prove to be different.
“We have never had anything like this before! This is the worst that he could get himself in; a falling out with two of his ministers, a Vote of No Confidence, and to barefacedly come before the public with a trick to win a vote in the House on the new Senators. He had to get somebody into the backdoor which I believe the Court will find unconstitutional.
“So he is scrabbling…because his time is up, his time has come. He does more and more stupidness all the time and everything he does is like digging a deeper hole that he is going down in. So yes, I think this is the beginning of the end for him.”
In an effort to qualify his statement, Archibald said that with pressure being place on the Federation’s Political Leader by the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Evangelical Association and Christian Council of St. Kitts, it would cause the PM to be more cautious in his decision-making processes.
The end of the beginning
The picture painted by Earl Clarke – staunched Labour supporter and former Campaign Manager of Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number One – Minister Dr. Earl Asim Martin – is vastly different from that of Archibald’s.
Clarke said the people had given Dr. Douglas the mandate to lead the government and the Labour Party and, just as he had done in the past, this “storm” which he now experiences would only serve to strengthen him.
“He has the people behind him. You cannot be a good captain unless you go through the rough seas. It is the rough seas that turn you, make you (and) mould you into a good leader. And Labour and Dr. Denzil Douglas are going to overcome those obstacles in front of them and they’ll be stronger than ever, because the man is a good leader. I stand 185 percent behind him…”
Clarke registered his discontentment with Archibald’s sentiments.
“…I am disappointed in Brother Washie. (He) used to be my mentor. We used to talk about the conditions of the working class people in St. Kitts. How does Brother Washie justify his change of mouth?”
