BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SPEAKING before a filled conference room yesterday morning (Jun. 17) at the official Launch of the People’s Labour Party (PLP) at the Ocean Terrace Inn, the Hon Dr. Timothy Harris called on citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to reject dictatorship and embrace democracy.
“Fellow citizens, comrades and residents, on this day as we launch the People’s Labour Party, I implore you, as I have on many occasions before this, to reject dictatorship and embrace democracy.”
Harris, Leader of the PLP, said it is well-noted that he and his Deputy Hon. Sam Condor have for some time been at the forefront of elective politics and in the leadership of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP).
Indicating that they are still Labourites at heart, Harris said he and Condor have maintained that the philosophy, principles and ideals of the SKNLP are enduring sacred values, noting that they are protection of the poor and vulnerable, unity of the people, empowerment of the masses, justice and equality for all and preservation of the national interest.
“Those sacred values are now being threatened by a galloping dictatorial approach to governance and subverted democracy within political party and government institutions. Fellow citizens, comrades and residents, on this day as we launch the People’s Labour Party, I implore you, as I have on many occasions before this, to reject dictatorship and embrace democracy,” Harris said.
His address at the Launch was themed “Change, Renewal and Reward” in which he said the PLP was registered as an entity on May 28, 2013 by Condor and that they chose to form the political party because they were committed to a better St. Kitts and Nevis.
“We believe that at this time of economic and political crises, St. Kitts and Nevis needs a new model of governance and government. The majority of people in St. Kitts and Nevis believe that the Hon. Sam Condor and I can contribute to that new order. We know we can contribute to transitioning our beloved country from crisis to comfort, from disaster to decency, from fear to faith, and from venom to victory.”
He gave a synopsis of what the PLP symbolises, declaring that it represents change for the better.
“By focusing on the people’s needs, desires, hopes and aspirations, PLP is set up to go hand-in-hand with releasing new opportunities for single mothers; for every talented young person who deserves a second chance in life; for the poor and indigent, for the hurting homeless; for those left out and left behind; for those that suffer, not because they lack skill, aptitude and ambition, but because of declining job opportunities; and for those who we know too well are ostracised and punished on the altar of vicious, vigorous partisan politics.”
He continued: “The PLP’s raison d'etre is the development and implementation of people-centered policies and programmes that deliver in effective ways, concrete benefits to the people of this country, regardless of gender, creed, class, family background, education, sex, party colour or where they live.
“We have seen the negative effects of divide, rule and conquer, now we must choose the positive impact of unite and triumph. Above all, the PLP believes that if we are not our brothers’ keeper and sisters’ neighbour, our nation becomes poorer in spiritual values, weaker in social ideals and all of us end up chasing pretty butterflies over dangerous waterfalls.”
Harris stressed that now is the time for the people of the Federation to seize the moment and make the decision to put the country on a path of positive, powerful and penetrating change, renewal and reward.
“Though some may perceive as challenging, the change that we all know is necessary, notwithstanding the economic, social and political crises we endure under the present leadership; and whilst we acknowledge and feel the pain of the thousands of Kittitians and Nevisians who get up every day in despairing circumstances, we have as part of our history a resilience and dogged determination to succeed which define us as a people and which, at this critical moment in time, provide the basis for optimism and the impetus for change, renewal and reward.”
The PLP Leader told the gathering that “the future begins now” and that he and others within the party have enjoined from the first day of its launch to make politics what it should be, noting it is about the people, their needs, concerns, aspirations, values, history and country.
Dr. Harris called on the nation to live right and be right for the good of the Federation.
And in what could be termed a subliminal message, he added: “Let’s purge the country of one bad apple that spoils the whole bunch. Let’s start now and together we will execute policies that lead to a brighter, more peaceful future. Let each seek the interest of the other and together we will achieve greatness for all.
“We start with a commitment to our country, our people. It means that we the people must set the agenda for national growth, not a spent leader who has overstayed his welcome. Our country, our people means that we the people will aim a political death blow at the thinking that a leader must die in office while the country falls off a dangerous cliff.”
Among those in attendance at the Launch were Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Hon. Shawn Richards and his Deputy Hon. Eugene Hamilton, former Government Minister Dwyer Astaphan, historian and commentator Washington ‘Washie’ Archibald, former PAM’s candidate for St. Christopher Six Junie ‘Scrape’ Hodge, and members of the Special Branch of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
