By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
lesroywilliams@thestkittsnevisobserver.com (Basseterre, St. Kitts) ” The leader of the People’s Action Movement, Lindsay Grant, has called Prime Minister Denzil Douglas” overhaul of his Cabinet nothing more than “a case of shuffling chairs on the deck of the Titanic.” “Mr. Grant’s remarks follow closely on the heels of PM Douglas” Aug. 8 announcement to the Federation that it had become necessary on the resignation of the Hon. G.A. Dwyer Astaphan ‘to reassign and restructure a number of ministerial portfolios to ensure the continued implementation of our comprehensive agenda of social change and economic transformation”. “Prime Minister Denzil Douglas” restructuring of the Cabinet is nothing more, nothing less, than a case of shuffling the chairs on the deck of the Titanic,” Grant said. “The measures the Prime Minister announced in his radio broadcast serve only to confirm that he is hopelessly at sea, that he is driven, essentially, by the desperation of a drowning man, and that he is the cause of our country’s problems.” Mr. Grant said that his calls a few months ago for bipartisan action on the problem of crime went unheeded. “The Prime Minister has confirmed my assertion with his announcement that while taking on the National Security, as I have called upon him to do, he has also taken responsibility for immigration, and appointed himself Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with the tourism portfolio.” His already extensive Prime Ministerial travels, will quickly qualify the Prime Minister for expanded frequent flyer miles at the level of the size of the central government debt,” Mr. Grant said.” The PAM leader says that the Prime Minister has offered no explanation for Mr. Astaphan’s resignation from Cabinet. Mr. Grant said that Dr. Douglas was out of touch with what was happening in the country with respect to crime. “At the same time, our Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Foreign Affairs told the country of his intention to meet with the security forces to get a first hand understanding of the problems and challenges they face,” Mr. Grant stated “The question arises, in which country has Denzil Douglas been living all these years?” “His statement is an admission that in this small society, which has long been devastated by crime, the Prime Minister is shockingly remote from the problems facing our law enforcement personnel and the dangers facing all citizens.” “Mr. Grant said that the Prime Minister’s intention to import foreign law enforcement is a serious indictment on the administration that Douglas is running. “That the Prime Minister now finds it necessary to announce a decision to import a battery of foreign law enforcement officials raises serious questions about the kind administration that Dr. Douglas is operating.” “Another question arises, why were these options not available to nor accessed by Dwyer Astaphan?” Mr. Grant highlighted a number of concerns that he has with respect to how the citizens of the Federation have been treated. “In his radio address, the Prime Minister displayed a sudden concern for industrial workers whom he has systematically betrayed, neglected and ignored.” “This is typical pre-election gimmickry from the Labour Party leader.” “In this context, we expect Dr. Douglas to talk next about integrity legislation and freedom of information.” The PAM leader said that the winds of change are blowing in the Caribbean and that the St.Kitts and Nevis government will be the next government to topple following Jamaica, Bahamas, St.Lucia, Barbados, and Grenada. “
