BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas told nearly 800 patrons attending his 17th Annual New Year’s Gala that 
there is a resurgence of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party of which he is the political leader.
“The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is growing stronger and stronger every day and in 2017 you will see the manifestation of the resurgence of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party,” said Dr. Douglas, who added the resurgence could be likened to the verse in the bible which states “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
“The brand of Labour is strong and will continue to be strong,” said Dr. Douglas, who noted that it is because of the support in government why the Party can be proud of what it has achieved on behalf of the People of St. Kitts and Nevis over the period July 1995 to February 2015.
Dr. Douglas said the social challenges which St. Kitts and Nevis faced was supported by programmes and policies implemented by his Labour Party Administration in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, tourism and other sectors that brought tremendous activities and skills to the young people to avert their restlessness from turning into anti-social behaviour.
“Some have come after us and have tried to copy it but has been unable to do so,” said Dr. Douglas to the overflowing Grand Ballroom at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino and venue for the premier New Year event.
He said the economic challenges faced after the onslaught of the global economic and financial crisis in 2008, were encountered by the implementation of positive measures which included economic development policies and debt restructuring exercises that propelled St. Kitts and Nevis to become the leading country in the OECS and one of the leaders in the wider CARICOM Community with a massive seven percent economic growth and climbing.
“We brought our National Debt down to a level that no other country in the Eastern Caribbean can achieve, from 160 percent to GDP to less than 60 percent in two to three years,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said during his administration the Federation’s businessmen and women were saying that their businesses were thriving and room could not be found for shoppers. The ATM machines were crowded and attracted long lines along the streets and pavements.
“Today, as I said in Parliament a few weeks ago, you can go in and play a football match in there. Real money was in your pockets,” said Dr. Douglas to which the enthusiastic crowd responded “Yes.”
“The young ladies would go to the hairdressers and get their hair and nails done and look pretty and nice. That is how it should be in a progressive country,” said Dr. Douglas, who highlighted the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government’s record of achievements in housing, education and the provision of scholarships resulting in hundreds of persons going to colleges and universities.
“Today that is not the trend anymore,” Dr. Douglas said.
“Something can be done to reverse this trend and 2017 is the year that we shall do something about it.”
“With the true spirit of endurance, of fortitude, being focused on what our mission is, encouraging our businesses to hold strain and wait. We shall return. Those who have copied our economic development strategies, especially the economic citizenship programme, that none can do it better than us. That’s why hotels under construction have laid off hundreds of workers and we need to return St. Kitts and Nevis back to the height of activity that it should be engaged in at this time,” said Dr. Douglas, the longest serving prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In reemphasising the call to continue to have faith in the leadership of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Douglas bemoaned the continued suffering of many families as a result of the rampant victimisation being carried out by the three-party coalition headed by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.
“The restlessness of our people has turned into anti-social behaviour and long tears of families. We want to move beyond that and we ask not only our business colleagues, not only the ordinary man and woman in this country, but also those ambassadors and diplomats who represent foreign friendly nations, that the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party wishes to continue to work with you and to foster better relationships with your, countries so that we can move our great country forward again,” said Dr. Douglas.
“2017 is the year of the rebirth. The year when we shall have our strength renewed as we continue to wait upon the Lord,” said Dr. Douglas as he raised a toast for the prosperity and good health of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“We pray that there will be good governance and proper accountability not only for the actions of this government but also in the way they are spending our money and wasting it around. We ask that this country be recognised not only as a family but that all of us will have a better place and a biter way of life,” he concluded.