BASSETERRE, St. Kits – THE question of whether or not the National Integrity Party (NIP) is willing to coalesce with any political party in the Federation was recently addressed, with its leaders revealing that certain conditions must be satisfied for such to take place.
Both Leader and Deputy Leader of NIP – Glenroy Blanchette and Roy Fleming respectively – appeared as guests on WINN FM 98.9 late last week and expressed these views.
The NIP – formed only a couple of months ago – have signalled its intension of contesting the next general elections which are constitutionally due in 2015. As far as the public is aware, it has three candidates, the third being Bernard Welsh and it has indicated its intention of recruiting persons to contest all 11 seats.
The Deputy Leader asserted that should NIP gain success in the next general elections, the possibility exists that it would be approached with a view to forming a coalition.
“…We have consistently said that we will be part of any government as long as those persons are willing to embrace our philosophy of an anti-corruption (stance). Once they denounce corruption – and they will have to demonstrate that in working with these successful candidates of the National Integrity Party - they’ll have to demonstrate and indicate that they will govern themselves in a particular manner once they are in government. And that is why the National Integrity Party welcomes the legislation as it relates to Integrity in Public Life.”
The Party’s Leader said that in negotiating with whatever party to form a coalition, the NIP would ensure that it is in a position of strength.
“We will not declare right now who we will align ourselves with to form the government, so-to-speak, and in terms of what position we’ll accept. Because what we find happening now in this so called Unity Construct, you find that the People’s Action Movement has given up the leadership of the party to a Labour man, a declared Labour man…instead of waiting until after the results of the election had been announced and then renegotiate for what position you want.
“So the National Integrity Party will wait until after the election and decide what kind of alliance we wish to form. But whatever alliance we form, the NIP must be in a strong position to determine how we will move forward within that administration.”
