BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – GLENROY BLANCHETTE of the National Integrity Party (NIP) has sought to dispel rumours which suggest that the party has been created to act as a “spoiler” in the upcoming general elections, whenever they are called.
The suggestion made by quite a number of individuals was that Blanchette’s party is purposed to pull votes from one of the two main parties (the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the People’s Action Movement [PAM]), thereby ensuring that the other secures the election.
These schools of thought began floating about a couple of months ago when talk surfaced that Blanchette – a former and once embattled candidate for the PAM – would be contesting the upcoming General Elections, along with other former PAM candidates.
The formation of the NIP was not confirmed until late last week when Blanchette appeared on Freedom FM’s Issues programme and declared that his party is independent of other political parties and would lend its voice of constructive criticism.
“We hold no belief for the government and we hold no brief for those in opposition, and so we are here to criticise and criticise in a constructive way for the benefit of our country. We are trying to lift the debate and give the people the fact(s), because there is a lot of deception out there coming from both sides; a lot of propaganda. And so the public needs to get the facts and make an informed judgment as to what should obtain…
“We…in the National Integrity Party, we are here long term. We see ourselves not just coming to be a ‘spoiler’ (as) some people are suggesting. We are here to stir the conscience of the nation and to get people to start thinking that there can be a better way in terms of politics and the way in which we want our country to go.”
In addition to raising the level of debate within the Federation, Blanchette – St. Christopher One representative for the NIP – said one of his party’s main aims is to engender a new culture of politics within the Federation.
“Our politics of the past has been one of division and exclusion. You have been cast into a particular mould which says you are either PAM or Labour and I believe that the people are now becoming tired of that kind of politics. They are becoming disinterested…in that kind of combative politics.
“And we are bringing something fresh, something new and hope that we get buy-in and we can only get buy-in based on our message. What kind of message? Are we bringing hope, are we bringing something that is better for the development of our country? And we believe deep down in our heart that our message is one that is going to resonate throughout all the homes of St. Kitts and Nevis, because our message is one of inclusion, our message is one of…discourse, good debate where we stick to looking at issues rather than personalities.”
