BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN less than 24 hours, the Constitutional Motion that was filed last week by Unity Leader the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris will be heard at the Basseterre High Court of Justice and Harris says the urgency with which the matter is being treated is “heartening”.
Last Tuesday, Dr. Harris, along with his Team Unity counterparts and supporters, told the nation of the action he took that day in asking the Court to make an order moving the hand of the Speaker of the National Assembly to table for debate, the Motion of No Confidence which he filed against the government in September 2014.
Harris’ is the first of three Motions of No Confidence to be filed against the Dr. Denzil Douglas-led government, the first of which was filed some 23 months ago.
The non-tabling of the Motions has led to court action being taken and countered. And while the Federal Opposition – all of whom are members of Team Unity – continues to clamour for the Motion to be tabled, the Honourable Speaker has maintained that the matter is before the Court and would not be tabled until certain declarations are made.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Dr. Harris expressed that the Court’s swift hearing of the matter shows that it understands the magnitude of the situation.
“This measure was filed on Tuesday last week…Less than 10 days…we have received notice already that this matter will be at least be heard initially on Thursday by the High Court.
“I think this is a very good response as we are heartened by that positive showing. It tells us that the Court understands that this is a Constitutional matter which needs to be resolved as quickly as possible and that democracy in the country, the constitutional democracy, has to be preserved. So we are optimistic! We always will be optimistic because this is a fight for the people, fight for the people’s justice and a fight for the people’s democracy.”
Dr. Harris reiterated a position he has long held, in that Prime Minister Douglas is on the wrong side of history and is wreaking havoc on the Federation’s democratic structures.
“And it is clear for all to see that Dr. Douglas is wrong, that he is doing incredible damage to the democratic traditions in our country and the region and he ought to be condemned. And, indeed, they must hold him accountable. He must explain how could he, of fair conscience, knowing that he has lost the support of the majority of elected Members of Parliament, his sole basis of validation as a Prime Minister…how dare he continue to parade himself without being clothed in the legitimacy in the office?”
Harris described the Federation’s political leader as “power-hungry”, questioning why “he wants to hold on to power when he doesn’t have the constitutional requisite? We are either a democracy or we are not, and if we are serious we have to condemn this outrage, this violation of our constitutional democracy…”
The court matter is expected to be heard at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex.
