BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – STATEMENTS made last night (May 13) by the leader of People’s Action Movement (PAM), Lindsay Grant, suggest that his party would protest and “shut down Basseterre” if the appointed Boundaries Commission makes any changes to the constituency boundaries in the Federation.
At the end of his presentation at a public meeting in Sandy Point, Grant clearly stated the steps his party would take if boundaries are changed “in the 11th hour”, and urged his supporters to be prepared for such a situation.
“Any boundary change in this country will be met by legal challenge; any changes in the boundary in the 11th hour, as it is now, will be met by serious demonstration by the PAM; any change of boundary at the 11th hour, we are going to shut down Basseterre! Basseterre will be shut down. All you have to hear is boundary change and just ask us, ‘When is the town going to be shut down?’ and we will be there!” Grant threatened.
Grant said the government recognises that the nation is ready for change and noted that the move to change the constituency boundaries was only to “frustrate the will of the people”.
Although the remarks were received with much cheer and support, they have equally raised the brows of many voters as the statements seem to encourage the recurrence of a period of political unrest similar to that of 1993.
Following the November 29 General Elections of 1993, similar statements were made by the then Leader of the Opposition, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas. And, after the then Governor-General invited a minority government to take power, the Douglas-led St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party had a vicious public demonstration which caused instability within the country. This led to serious disturbances and caused Basseterre to be ‘shut down’ in a 21-day state of emergency in December 1993.
Almost 20 years after the historical unrest, threats still abound aiming to incite masses into a similar political unrest. Such statements contradict the call for peaceful and diplomatic elections – a theme that has been the song of hundreds of voters.
Statements like “I can incite again” or “We shall shut down Basseterre” have been made since the 2004 Elections and bear serious implications for the nation’s democracy.
As the constitutionally-due General Elections draw nearer, politicians are cautioned to be careful not to make such statements which may not only affect one party but can put the entire country into unrest.
