Pledges renewed commitment to constituency
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COMPLAINTS of his obvious absence in his constituency and perceived neglect of his constituents have been addressed by Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Four – the Hon. Glen Phillip – who has pledged his commitment to his people.
A couple of nights ago (Apr. 14), the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party held a public meeting in the Old Road area with Phillip being one of the featured speakers.
He admitted to the large crowd that he does not take pleasure in speaking about his personal life but took the opportunity to do so on that occasion.
According to Minister Phillip’s explanation, a series of tragic events - which commenced months after he assumed public office in the start of 2010 – took place consuming a considerable portion of his time.
“The last two years have been (two) of the most tumultuous years of my entire life…About nine months after I became the Minister with responsibility for Constituency Number Four, I was called by my cousins in St. Croix and my favourite aunt…at that time became terminally ill. And before I could get to St. Croix, she died. When I got to St. Croix, I got a call from Antigua, my uncle had a stroke. Comrades, it has not been easy for me over the last two years.”
The Labour representative for St. Christopher Four explained that tragedy struck his family once again some three months later.
“Three months later – as you are well aware – my wife’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. It was a struggle for me. My wife had to be back and forth. I began a Mr. Mom in a way where I had to take care of the kids. I know that some persons probably didn’t see me as they would like, but comrades it was a very depressing time in my life. And you know, eventually…my mom-in-law died.
“But you wouldn’t believe, two months later tragedy struck again. I had to go to Antigua again…and this is from my father’s side, my uncle (had) major operations. So here am I as a first-time minister, having to be juggling between family, ministry, constituency and tragedy.”
Phillip told the gathering that he has every intention of pushing forward relentlessly, pledging that he would address the agenda of his constituents.
“But I’m proud to announce tonight that most of what I’ve been going through has dissipated, thanks to the prayers of my constituents and people who have supported me. I probably am not the perfect minister and I know I do all that I can to promote the benefits for the people of this constituency. So comrades, I promise that in moving forward that your agenda will be taken care of and that is why…when I realised what was happening…I had promoted persons of this constituency in key areas who understood the needs of the people to take care of my people while I was incapacitated for a while.
“…this constituency means more to me than anything. I am not going to quit. Some people want me to quit but I’m not going to quit! And what I’m going to do…I will promote this constituency in a positive way.”
