Montserrat Chief Minister escapes no-confidence motion

BRADES, Montserrat – During a special sitting of the Legislative Council on November 7, Chief Minister of Montserrat Dr. Lowell Lewis escaped a ‘No Confidence’ motion against his administration, which was brought against him by the Leader of the Opposition, David Brandt, when the motion was withdrawn.

Brandt challenged Lewis to give up his position following his decision to give up his responsibility for Economic Development, a portfolio previously passed over to Minister of Agriculture and Trade Reuben Meade.

According to Caribbean Net News, although Lewis announced the changes during a previous sitting, Brandt maintained his position in questioning Lewis’ leadership of the island.

It was also reported that although Brandt described Lewis’ government as “an untenable situation characterized by bad management and erratic behaviour”, he withdrew the motion stating he would “continue to monitor the government's performance”.

However, there was no reported formal statement made by the Opposition Leader in explaining the main reason for withdrawing the motion.