BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE six Parliamentarians who have openly expressed their disapproval of the leadership and government of Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas should promptly tender their resignation from the St. Kitts-Nevis House of Assembly.
Historian and social commentator Washington ‘Washie’ Archibald offered the suggestion while speaking with this publication last evening (May 7) and firmly believes that it could be the answer to the predicament which is currently being faced.
Archibald reminded that over four months ago a Motion of No Confidence “has been languishing in the chambers of the Parliament” and he suggested that Dr. Douglas’ obstinacy is the chief reason for its delay.
“There seems to be no solution to the problem because of the intransigence of Dr. Douglas. These provisions in the Constitution are made for decent people who are willing to play by the rules. It is clear that Dr. Douglas does not intend to play by the rules. He is playing dirty! So because he is playing dirty, a thing as proper as a motion of no confidence is denied. In the eyes of everybody who is fair, that is a very bad thing.”
About one month ago, the four elected members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition – Opposition Leader the Hon. Mark Brantley, and Hon. Members Vance Amory, Eugene Hamilton and Shawn Richards, as well as government backbenchers the Hons. Dr. Timothy S. Harris and Sam T. Condor - wrote to the Governor General indicating that they have no confidence in Dr. Douglas’ leadership and should the Motion of No Confidence be tabled in Parliament they would vote in favour of it.
It has gotten to the point where these individuals have sought the assistance of the Court in an effort to have the Motion tabled soonest. That case however is not scheduled for hearing until July 19, 2013. And according to Archibald, this constitutes another delay in the process.
“But there seems to be no solution to the problem because even when the six take the matter to the Court, the Court had decided to delay the solution, delay the process as long as possible. The Court has decided they won’t hear it until the 19th of July, and then there is the threat that is looming over our heard that even after the 19th July the matter won’t be resolved by the Court because it would be taken to the Privy Council.
“I believe therefore that the Opposition – well-meaning Opposition – they are trying to use all the constitutional and legal means at their disposal to solve a problem, but the landscape does not permit for decency and order. The landscape is being choked and clogged by the bad deeds and intentions and the resistance of Dr. Douglas. Therefore, there seems to be some other means that must be brought into the picture, and my suggestion is that the six-member opposition, who form the majority of the House, should abandon the case in Court because it will lead to nowhere and they should resign from the Parliament. They should resign in protest from the Parliament and get ready to contest an election.
Archibald reiterated that the six men should tender their resignations “in the interest of fairness and democracy” and “ask the people for a new mandate since the Court and the Constitution are not working”.
“Dr. Douglas has put the Parliament out of commission. The Parliament is not working for democracy. The Parliament itself is being used to circumvent the Constitution which is supposed to be governing the Parliament.
“I would like to see what would happen if the six of them resign from Parliament. Because, according to the law, according to the Constitution, whenever there is a vacancy in Parliament there must be a bi-election within 90 days. And I believe that if the majority of the Parliament has resigned from the Parliament, this should call for immediate General Elections.
“Because, I don’t see how Dr. Douglas could sustain himself in government when the majority of the elected members of the people have decided to resign their positions in the Parliament and ask the people to again prescribe what they ought to do. Because all that they are trying to do as Members of Parliament is being frustrated by Dr. Douglas.”
