BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN an indirect response to accusations levelled against him by former Minister Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas has given some insight into his political background and has reinforced his commitment to serving the needs of the Kittitian and Nevisian people.
The PM issued these comments in response to a question from a caller on Tuesday’s (Feb. 3) edition of his weekly “Ask the PM” programme on ZIZ Radio.
Douglas stressed that the leader of the Labour Party is elected by the party’s membership and not by a faithful few. He added that the Prime Minister is then appointed by the Governor-General after being nominated by his/her party and having commanded the full support of the majority of elected Parliamentarians.
He noted that by becoming Prime Minister, he/she would become Chairman of Cabinet and would not impose himself on the grouping of ministers.
“I have been fortunate to be elected party leader with the full support of the Labour Party membership at every single Party Conference every year since 1989. I have been fortunate to be elected and appointed Prime Minister with the full support of my elected Parliamentary colleagues and Chairman of Cabinet with the full support of my Cabinet colleagues after every election since 1995. This is support that continues to be shown to me unanimously and to which I am deeply grateful.
“The world is in crisis. This country demands and deserves the steadfast, undivided constructive attention and energies of us all and that is what I am dedicated to giving to the people. As the democratically-elected leader, this is the kind of seriousness of spirit I hope to encourage in all our people because this is the seriousness of spirit I tend to continue giving myself,” Douglas said.
The PM admitted that the last week had been a difficult one for him. He revealed that he was very conscious of not being perfect and that he had turned to God for guidance. However, he stated that he had been fortified by the unanimous show of support from all his colleagues and he would not be distracted or deterred.
“I feel very strongly that there are those who will always comment. As a public figure, I expect criticism; some will be good, some will be bad. I believe the course of action I am taking as this country’s leader is the course I have been elected and mandated to pursue.
“I believe debate is healthy because this is a democracy. Look how free we are, people can openly criticise and castigate their Prime Minister live on radio. That is the essence of our democracy and what I am,” Douglas stressed.
“I have not been put here by any one man. I have been put here by the people of this country and no one man can drive me from what I am seeking to do for the people.”
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