BASSETTERE, ST KITTS (Mar 11, 2009): The People’s Action Movement will hold its national annual caucus this weekend at which delegates of the party will decide on the executive which will guide the work of the movement for the next year.
Sunday’s caucus is being staged ahead of its national convention which the party has just announced will be held on April 19, 2009.
PAM is fine-tuning its machinery in preparation for a general elections campaign, which party officials say will provide it with its best chance in years to form the next government.
All positions will be up for election at the caucus except that of Political Leader and General Secretary. These positions are only voted on once every three years.
The convention will subsequently ratify the caucus’ decisions.
“We don’t expect to see any drama since our party is the most united of all the parties in this country, and we are very satisfied with its leadership,” said General Secretary Shirley Julius.
“We know that the membership is at a high, and they sense our movement is well placed to lead this country to prosperity again,” she said.
“We think there is a big yearning for change in the Federation after 13 years of the same old stale leadership of Denzil Douglas,” opposition MP Shawn Richards said.
Richards is expected to be returned as one of two deputy leaders of PAM.
“Giving the economic situation, made worse by the huge national debt, and the government’s inability to control crime, we are satisfied that our people are ready to chart a different course,” he said.
“Added to that, they are fed-up of the corruption and the victimization and the way state resources are being used for the interest of only a few,” MP Richards further added.
PAM is getting ready to field a slate of mainly young professionals led Grant, a young lawyer tipped to become the next Prime Minister.
Roy Fleming, the party’s likely candidate in the city, said he is confident with the way the build up to the election season is going in Central Basseterre.
Mr. Roy Fleming Central Basseterre Const. #2 P.A.M. Candidate
Fleming, who contested the last election is likely to come up against a political newcomer after current MP Dwyer Astaphan opted out of the race for the ruling party while declaring that his party is in need for fresh leadership.
“This weekend’s caucus is to make sure that our movement continues to have the democratic foundation to take this country forward,” Fleming said of the PAM caucus
“With all the crime and all that, we are at a difficult juncture in the history of this nation. But at the same time this is also a time of opportunity. Opportunity for good people to come together and do something great for this nation,” Fleming said.
