STATEMENT BY RT. HON. DR. DENZIL L. DOUGLAS, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
Citizens and Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, supporters of the great St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, friends and well-wishers, I greet you in my capacity of the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition of St. Kitts and Nevis. It has been drawn to my attention that earlier today, Tuesday November 14, at the commencement of the sitting of the National Assembly, Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Michael Perkins read into the records of the Parliament a letter purportedly written by Mr. Eugene Hamilton, Member of Parliament for Constituency #8, raising questions about my qualification as a member.
It is quite unfortunate that the hallowed chamber of Parliament is being used as a political theatre, facilitated by the Speaker, in a useless attempt to rekindle the dying political fortunes of Dr. Timothy Harris and some of his cohorts. I reiterate the point that the Parliament is being used as a political theatre because Dr. Timothy Harris, Mr. Eugene Hamilton, Speaker Michael Perkins and all members of Parliament are well aware that under our Constitution, the Parliament of our land in and of itself cannot address matters to do with the qualification of members to sit in the Assembly. This is a matter which only the Courts of our land can determine. For Speaker Michael Perkins to read Mr. Eugene Hamilton’s ill-conceived letter into the records of Parliament is irresponsible and reinforces the public’s views of the Speaker a bias arbitre of the Parliament’s business. Mr. Hamilton’s letter is nothing more than a political gimmick that he is performing under instructions from his failing leader Dr. Timothy Harris.
Secondly, Prime Minister Harris, as a consequence of his ever dwindling political support among the electorate of St. Kitts and Nevis, has sought to engage in political distraction. Recent polls (September 2017) conducted in St. Kitts reveal ever-growing disenchantment with Prime Minister Harris. Sixty-five per cent (65%) of the residents and citizens are dissatisfied with the leadership of our country and only 29% are satisfied with the failed leadership of Dr. Harris. On the other hand, 63% of the populace favour my leadership. These are the facts and figures that have incensed Dr. Harris – his failed leadership and his desire to resurrect his ill-fated political career.
It is clear that the citizenry of our beloved country is ready for a different kind of leadership – a leadership that cares about all of our people and not just the Prime Minister’s family and his close friends; a leadership that understands the workings of our economy and how to put people to work; a leadership that understands how to grow the economy and create prosperity for the widest cross-section of the population. The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party will shortly unveil to you our beloved citizens, residents and supporters the team that is seeking to lead the affairs of great country after the next general elections. I ask for your support on all of their behalf.
My fellow citizens, residents, friends and well-wishers, I urge you to remain focused on holding your government’s feet to the fire, on highlighting the corruption, nepotism and cronyism practised by your government, on the poor performance of the government ministers and the hardship suffered by our people, and on the slipping of our local economy into negative territory. Let us not be distracted by the political shenanigans used by Dr. Harris. His day is coming and coming sooner that he thinks. And when that day comes, St. Kitts and Nevis will again be Number One.
May God bless you and give you the strength and courage to continue your life’s journey.
Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L Douglas
Leader of the Opposition