BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RUMOURS abound that the Federation’s reigning Calypso King, Konris Maynard, is a possible candidate for the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party to contest the next General Elections in St. Christopher Three.
In an effort to investigate the authenticity of the rumour, SKNVibes contacted the British Virgin Islands-based Maynard and had an exclusive interview with the 29-year-old.
And it was revealed that people from his community are asking him to consider being their candidate.
“Well, that type of decision will obviously have to be properly made public. I am sure you know that if you decided right now that you’d be interested in Number Three, there is nothing stopping you from throwing in your hat. So, options are always open and what I can say is that there’s no truth that there is any kind of confirmation of any sort, and even if I decided that that is something I might be interested in, there is a process and that process has to go through its stages, whereby a candidate is chosen by its people. So there’s no confirmation on that.”
Maynard spoke about his stance to seek to serve his county in whichever capacity he chooses.
“I always maintain that I would seek to serve my country in whichever capacity is best, and options have always presented themselves. And when the time is right I will choose which option is best for me to contribute further.”
Asked if there is consideration on his part since this is not the first time his name is being called as a possible candidate.
“It is basically at the same stage that it would have been for prior elections, where I have heard my name. I’ve heard many things in the public where people are sure that I’m going to be a candidate etc. But that has not happened. As I said, there are options available. It is that the seat needs to be filled because there’s presently not a Labour representative for the Constituency.”
“So consideration is obviously something that is being done as to what my contribution would be next. Whether it would be in front the stage or whether it would be backstage. So those considerations are being made as to how I would further contribute to the development of my community where I’m from and to the country as a whole.”
SKNVibes asked Maynard to make a definitive statement on the issue, to which he said, “I cannot say whether I would confirm or deny. Questions are being asked of me, people are asking in my community for me to consider it, and so out of respect and humility from the fact that they would consider me a viable option, I have to weigh my options. So I am presently weighing my options as to whether or not it is something I would do.
He added: “I am considering my options and if you want to use the word. And my only option is not only necessarily to run as a candidate, but I’m considering my options as to how I’m going to contribute in this process which I think is important for me to do in some form or fashion.”
Maynard was quizzed about the other options open to him in order to contribute to his community in particular and the Federation as a whole.
“Well, yes, I mean some of those things are obviously personal but I am already in the public domain through my calypso art form and so I can decide to inject myself through song. That’s one avenue I can do that. I can also inject myself by being in the grassroots effort of whatever political persuasion which I decide to follow, and I think it’s clear where my loyalty lies. So there are many ways one could contribute. You don’t have to contribute to the process. So there are options as to how I can assist and lend my vision and thoughts on what is happening in my country at present.”
Conclusively, this media house told Maynard that it is looking forward to hearing from him on the issue, to which he boldly replied, “In due time. The Party Convention is very close so in due time we will know who are the options for that particular constituency and other constituencies around the Federation. And it would be made clear! But right now I am weighing the options in front of me.”
That 81st St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Convention is scheduled for later this month.
