Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2016 (SKNIS): The Government of National Unity is committed to a broad agenda of reform with the aim of ensuring the good governance of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Federation’s Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, speaking during his first press conference for 2016 on January 19, explained that this broad agenda will give way to constitutional reform, electoral reform and the expansion of accountability and transparency.
Prime Minister Harris explained that his Team Unity Administration has its ethos in good governance, reminding all that “the megalomaniac hold on power by the Douglas Administration brought democracy to a screeching halt.”
Lamenting efforts by the SKNLP Administration to stiffen its grip on power, Dr. Harris recounted that, “for nigh 26 months Denzil Douglas defied the Parliamentary Opposition, Chamber of Industry and Commerce, churches and the people, and used every ruse he could think of to prevent the tabling of the Motion of No Confidence,” adding that “the protracted Court matter cost our country several million dollars and the matter is still before the Court. Additional cost will still have to be borne by the people.”
The government has assured the citizenry that the atrocities of the past government will never be allowed to be a reality in the future of St. Kitts and Nevis. Prime Minister Harris explained that “there was no greater motivator for unity between PLP, PAM and CCM, than the good governance agenda.”
Taking time to outline each subsection of reform, Prime Minister Harris started with that of the Constitution. He revealed that not only will his government address term limits for the Office of the Prime Minister but the government will ensure that “other matters relating to citizenship requirements for one to become a Member of Parliament and related issues of dual citizenship and stricter provisions relating to the motion of no confidence (MONC),” are placed on the legislative agenda.
With regards to electoral reform, Prime Minister Harris indicated that this will include “penalties for electoral officials for serious breach of electoral laws and behavior that undermines public confidence in the electoral system – voting eligibility of citizens and residents.”
The government has already embarked on a suite of bills in the effort of the expansion of accountability and transparency. The Freedom of Information Bill and Data Security Laws are two examples of bills in this suite. The Freedom of Information Bill has already been tabled in Parliament for a first reading. The government has promised that the public will be educated on these bills in the near future.
Another important aspect in regard to the expansion of accountability and transparency, according to Prime Minister Harris, is the “empowering of Parliament as a pillar of democracy and of Government.” Ideas aimed at making this a reality were put forward by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Franklin Brand, and include the pursuit of “a new home for Parliament,” and providing “Parliament with appropriate resources to do its work, produce Hansards on a timely basis and enhance the role of clerk so as to ensure that the office holder operates at professional and international standards.”
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