Leader Parry says there will be no double-dippingBy Monique Washington
The Hon Joseph Parry has again retained the leadership of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) fending off a challenge for the leadership and for the St. Thomas’ seat during last weekend’s caucus and convention held at the Jessup’s village community centre.
Coming out of the results of the party’s delegates voting, Hon Joseph Parry has made it very clear that no one in his party will be allowed to collect two salaries (NIA government and Federal Government) which mean Patrice Nisbett is out of the run for the NIA seat.
Nisbett, who was elected to federal Parliament, has run in St. James in the NIA election for over a decade, but has yet to win his seat. He also has won his seat in the federal election under both the Labour Government and the Unity Government.
“My only loyalty is to you the people of Nevis, no Labour, no (Denzel) Douglas, no PAM, no Timothy (Harris) but to you. This is why I made the move not to run in the federal election but to serve in Nevis,” Parry said at the party’s convention on Sunday.
Parry, during the NRP convention, revealed that there has been an amendment to the NRP’s constitution which will not allow nominees to be nominated in a Federal election. This amendment was one of four the leader made to his party’s constitution. Parry expressed his displeasure with CCM representative receiving salaries from both NIA and Federal Government.
“The government of Nevis is securely locked up in Basseterre. Every day, Mark and Vance swim these shark-infested waters to run Nevis from Basseterre. And they get two salaries. Two full salaries,” Parry said.
According to the amendment “Once you are a member of the Nevis Island Assembly you cannot be nominated to contest the Federal election. Also, once you are a Federal parliamentarian you cannot be the candidate for the Nevis Island Assembly,” Parry stated.
Because of the new amendment the NRP will now seek six candidates. Three to run in the NIA election in St. Johns, St. James and St. George and two in the federal election. The next NIA elections are due January 2018.
