Staff Writer
Members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party have come out in defence of their leader, Dr. Hon. Denzil Douglas following much criticism he received after the June 6 General Elections in St. Lucia.
The St. Lucia Labour Party lost their reign of power when they were defeated 11-6 at the polls. Party leader Dr. Kenny Anthony informed the SLLP and the nation that he would not take up the position as leader of the opposition and is also giving up the leadership of the party.
Afterward, a number of Federation members criticised Dr. Douglas for not taking a similar stance and renounce the leadership of the party that he was recently voted into at the SKNLP 84th National Convention.
But three of the political party’s vocal speakers came out to support of their long-time leader who was ousted from Government at the Feb. 16, 2015 General Election after more than 20 years in office.
Dr. Terrance Drew, a vocal government critic and recently elected vice chair of the party responded to a caller’s criticism of Dr. Douglas’ appointment as leader of the SKNLP and was met with a number of questions that he (the caller) left unanswered.
Dr. Drew questioned who elected the Prime Minister as leader of the People’s Labour Party and Ambassador Sam Condor as the Deputy leader, while claiming that Dr. Timothy Harris’ appointment as the country’s political leader “was one of the most undemocratic instances in our country’s post-independence.”
“The reason I am saying that is I think when democracy is practiced at all levels the electorate usually get it right,” Dr. Drew said. “Was Timothy Harris subjected to a democratic process to be the leader? Timothy Harris has one Coalition government seat and he is the Prime Minister, that is undemocratic.”
Further, the former Labour candidate for Constituency #8 asserted that the position that the Prime Minister has attained in the coalition was not voted for by the people and as such criticism cannot be levelled against the process used to elect his party leader, Dr. Douglas.
SKNLP Chairperson, Marcella Liburd used the party’s weekly radio programme to sound out her support for the long-time leader. She criticized previous leaders such as Premier Vance Amory and former leader of the People Action Movement Lindsay Grant, who she stated did not demit their posts when they lost elections.
“Vance Amory lost an election and he continued to be the leader of CCM, I wonder if that had anything to do with leadership?” Chairperson Liburd asked. Lindsay Grant lost twice and continued to hold the leadership of Pam, I wonder if that had anything to do with leadership?…In Grenada, you had the current Prime Minister who lost and continued to be the leader of his party and he is in Government again.”
Mrs. Liburd noted that Kenny Anthony also lost at the polls and continued to serve as leader afterward.
Controversial Senator Nigel Carty, lashed out at the critics, saying they have given their opinions on the voting process of the party, but none of them have cast a ballot or supported any of the Labour party’s initiatives.
He suggested that when everyone in the country since 1995 supported the Labour movement the caller did not vote for the party.
Dr. Denzil Douglas The Observer understands has been at the helm of the Party for over 25 years, and recently ran unopposed in the May Convention.
