BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN response to questions arising from recent comments he made about Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas, Washington ‘Washie’ Archibald said they were made out of genuine concern for the way his country is being run and not out of acrimony as some may claim.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes earlier this week, the social commentator spoke about his concerns of the leadership of the Federation and the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party; the party he has supported for years and continues to support.
Archibald’s comments engendered mixed reactions, with some questioning his motive. The retired teacher told SKNVibes that his comments were not soaked in or speckled with rancour but, rather, made out of genuine concern for the country and its inhabitants.
“I know it is the ordinary way in St. Kitts for people to support anybody who stretches out a hand to them, to support them right or wrong. I know that is the general thing! And I know, some people, no matter how much they love a party, if they ask for something and they don’t get it they get vex and they turn against the leaders. But this is not so in my case. I’ve been doing this for many years now; since Robert Bradshaw was in government. I use to criticise his style of economic development, his style of government. I criticised Dr. Simmonds and now I am criticising Denzil Douglas.”
Archibald said that having been a student of government and as a citizen of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, he is merely exercising his right to pass comments and make criticisms.
“I am a citizen of this country. Don’t I have a right to criticise the Prime Minister without having a grouse? I have no grouse against the Prime Minister, but as a student of government and as a former teacher of politics...and student of history, I am knowledgeable about the developing situation in St. Kitts. I have been around ever since adult suffrage was offered to our citizens and so I have an intimate knowledge of what goes on in St. Kitts.
“As a senior citizen who understands what is required of government, as a student of government, I find government in St. Kitts wanting and I am exercising the right to comment on it, pure and simple. I don’t have any personal problems with anybody. I have not asked the government for anything and didn’t get it. The only thing I am disappointed in is the way my country is run.”
The teacher reiterated that he has criticised governments in the past and would continue to do so, as he is a believer in “good government”.
“I have been a veteran in this criticising of government. As a matter of fact, it looks like it is what I have been put here to do - to criticise governments - because I have an interest in good government, having been a teacher of government and a student and teacher of history and a keen observer of the development of black people in the Caribbean. That is all I’m motivated by. I don’t want anything from any politician.”
Archibald said it is indubitably possible for one to love and take pride in one’s country without requesting anything in return. This, he explained, is his state of being.
“Can one be a citizen of a country, with pride in his country, asking for nothing in return, just loving his country?”
