BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association is calling on the Speaker of the National Assembly to bring the Motion of No Confidence before the National Assembly without delay.
A letter sent to Speaker and copied to the Office of the Prime Minister and signed by the Association’s President, Charles Wilkin, QC, stated that it was common knowledge that such a Motion was filed some two months ago and is still pending consideration by the Assembly.
“A Motion of No Confidence is a fundamental process in the governance system of our Federation as set out in the Constitution and as such, and in accordance with the National Assembly Elections Act, and with Constitutional practice in the Commonwealth, should be given priority,’ the letter reads.
The letter also reminds the Speaker that he is the guardian of the National Assembly and has within his power to bring the Motion of No Confidence before the Assembly.
“We call on you to do so without further delay. Such delay will undermine the democratic principles on which our Federation is founded. We urge your speedy and impartial attention to this matter.”
A letter sent to the Office of the Prime Minister by the Bar Association and signed by Wilkin was also made public.
This letter reads: “Public statements made by you suggest that you exercise ultimate control over timing of the sitting of the National Assembly for consideration of the Motion of No Confidence in your Government. As far as we know, such control should lie with the Speaker.
“However, if you do in fact exercise such control, we call on you, for the reasons stated in our letter to the Speaker to have the motion brought before the National Assembly without further delay.”
The Motion of No Confidence was filed in early December 2012; more than two months ago and is yet to be tabled in Parliament.
