BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FORMER Senior Minister of the ruling Labour Party Administration, Dr. Timothy Harris is of the view that victimisation of people would end should a unity government be formed following the next General Elections in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Harris, who was a guest on yesterday’s (Feb. 18) WINN FM’s radio talk show ‘Voices’, made the disclosure in response to a caller and appealed to voters to do the “right thing” in putting a unity government into office.
“In respect to victimisation, I would say in having all the parties on board at the decision- making table makes it much more difficult for victimisation to take place. I say, by having a new ethos and a new culture in government which is more embracing, all inclusive which speaks to each endeavouring and each achieving that culture in a unity government, will prevent the kind of victimisation…we see it happening in our country.”
Harris opined that there has to be improvement in the legal framework of the Federation and also the betterment of privileges for workers.
“For me, if there is going to be unity, the broad public agenda of governance has to be resolved…Constitutional Reform, and not just to deal with issues with respect to Nevis but to ensure and enhance labour rights so there are more consequences for people who would want to victimise people in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Harris stressed that “the Integrity in Public Life, the Information Act and all of those governance legislations bringing government in the sunshine will create a culture in which victimisation is less likely to prevail in a new St. Kitts and Nevis”.
Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas fired Harris on January 25. Dr. Douglas claimed that based on his interaction with him in recent months, he had formed “the view that the Senior Minister will not participate meaningfully in the government unless he is appointed Prime Minister”.
In his defence to the Prime Minister’s remarks about himself and also to the reason for Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor’s resignation from the Cabinet, as well as why the two of them stood in opposition to his leadership, Dr. Harris said, “Dr. Douglas had no respect for us.”
Dr. Harris, who is the elected Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Seven and is believed to be running as an independent candidate in the next General Elections, endorsed the formation of a unity government and urged the voters to do likewise at the polls.
“The past has happened, the future is what is left to us, and I invite the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to come let us make history. We can do it right this time with all the advantages and knowledge we have had over the past. Let us use that experience to build a better, much more productive, much more decent St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Although, Dr. Harris currently holds the position as Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, the Party’s Executive has indicated that it is planning to hold a special conference to eject him from that post.
