SKNLP Positions Itself for a Comeback at the Federation’s Next General Election
The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) after almost one year after the country’s general election, which was held June 5th, 2020, has implemented some constitutional changes aimed at restructuring the party and preparing for the Leadership transition.
The constitutional changes were unveiled in a conference held on Sunday 16th May 2021 to the membership of the SKNLP membership with a singular agenda: a 12-part resolution for constitutional reform, detailing needed changes for modernizing the party, expanding the membership, and facilitating the expansion of the National Executive, standardizing the operational and administrative arms of the party and its branches.
The political organization established a National Leadership Transition Council, PR Working Group, Elections Audit Committee, Strategic Development Group, and Finance Restructuring Committee, as key steps in meeting the membership’s request for change, modernization, and improvement of the SKNLP.
During the conference, the Leader of the SKNLP and Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas in a live broadcast expressed his disapproval of the politicizing of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign by the Government.
He stated “Our nation stands at a critical juncture, thousands of Kittitians and Nevisians have seen their lives decimated by a pandemic that demands the compassion, skill, and vision on the part of key decision-makers. Every facet of life here in St. Kitts and Nevis has changed and whether we like it or not we are forced to make decisions that relate to our own survival. Masks must be worn, sanitization and social distancing have been mandated and we are hearing now that vaccines may be mandated elsewhere in our region and maybe even here in our country, but I say such mandating must be rejected.”
He added that “Dr. Harris continues to threaten and punish, penalize, and criticize and stigmatize persons who are simply exercising their right of choice as to whether or not to take the AstraZeneca injection. This, I emphasize, is wrong, and please note that this is a view held not only by me as your leader, indeed this type of overbearing and authoritarian stance has been roundly condemned by none other than the World Health Organization itself and other international organizations. And that is why I say comrades that this country’s leaders have failed so far in their vaccination program.”
According to the Chairman of SKNLP, Dr. Terrance Drew, “while other parties spend this critical time battling for leadership promised and not sanctioned by the voting public, the SKNLP has spent its time in opposition to restructure, rebrand, regroup, and revitalize. A Party that is serious about leadership focuses on listening to its supporters and this was the mandate of SKNLP.”
Dr. Drew was inconspicuously addressing the current rift within the UNITY coalition of the government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Prime Minister of the Federation, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris hinted in his party’s conference held on March 27 of this year that he intends to serve a third time as Prime Minister after stating that “any leader that chooses to serve more than two terms is a dictator” in his 2015 political campaign.
During that campaign, Dr. Harris was taking a jab at the current Opposition Leader the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas served for 4 terms as Prime Minister of the Federation.
The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is expected to host its Annual National Conference later this year in November.
Liz Myke
Reporter
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