A new candidate for East Basseterre in ‘09?
By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-THE residents of East Basseterre may have a third-party candidate to consider in the upcoming general elections, though the possible entrant said he has made no commitments to a campaign at this time.
Speaking exclusively with SKNVibes about his possible candidacy for Constituency #1, Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd would neither confirm nor deny the speculation.
“At this time I cannot say I will be running for that seat, but I also cannot say I will not run. I’m not sure where these rumours are coming from,” the Newtown native said.
Liburd said that if he did decide to run, he would be able to bring a level of knowledge and political understanding that other potential candidates may be lacking.
“What I will say is that I have experience as a civil servant as and permanent secretary, which are in fact vice-ministers. These are my experiences at that level, and if I were to go into government tomorrow it is not like I would be a fish out of water.”
A possible run for the parliamentary seat would be based upon a need to see the direction of civil service in St. Kitts change and be more effective at addressing the issues facing the nation, Liburd said. ~~Adz:Right~~
“I believe I would make a good candidate because I don’t like the way St. Kitts is going. We find comfort in just accepting things that are wrong. If you turn your head, you are accepting it. Nobody wants to speak out any more; they just want to make excuses.”
“For instance, we can look at the crime situation. It’s not just the murders. How many gun crimes out there aren’t solved? How many people have been arrested for the possession of ammunition, charged, are on bail and haven’t gone to court? Why does it take two years to bring a gun case to court?”
Being the father of a son who has had trouble with the law, Liburd said he has a personal understanding of the need for justice to be served fairly and swiftly in St. Kitts.
“Even for my own son, if he is guilty he must pay the time. Nobody wants their son or their family problems to be out there like that, but what happens here is that the cases never go to court. That’s not how it can be in our society if we expect to stop crime.
“I know people in the civil service at high levels who engage in impropriety and they are still in office. That should not happen. If it was me, fine me and jail me. That is the accountability we need in St. Kitts if we want things to change. I believe very strongly in that,” Liburd said.
Despite a strong desire to see change, Liburd said he remains hesitant because it is not clear if an independent candidate would receive adequate support to have a realistic chance at the seat.
“On the question of independence, I don’t think an independent candidate can win a seat in St. Kitts unless they are an exceptionally charismatic person. I’m honoured to even be considered a worthy candidate,” he said.
