BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 29, 2021 — In his final message to the delegates of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) as National Political Leader, The Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas called for members and supporters to be fully energized and a commitment to work with his newly-elected successor.
“I stand ready, Comrades, to ensure that our new Party Leader will be well positioned to benefit from the vast and varied regional, and international relationships I have so effectively developed over the decades.
Comrades, the entire Federation knows how urgently the ideas and effectiveness of Labour are needed to bring to completion, the many projects which were already underway when we left office seven years ago, projects which remain incomplete today. And the entire Federation knows how urgently the ideas and effectiveness of Labour are needed to chart new and innovative paths forward,” said Dr. Douglas, who remains as Leader of the Opposition in the St Kitts and Nevis National Assembly.
He said all of the three candidates nominated to succeed him are “honourable, capable, and committed candidates from whom to choose. The three leaders, all desirous of charting the way forward – Dr. Terrance Drew. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley. Mr. Konris Maynard are all capable, all dynamic, all ready to place our Federation, once more, on a positive and cohesive trajectory.”
In expressing deep admiration and resounding support for these outstanding leaders of the Party, Dr. Douglas, who served as national political leader for 32 years, pointed out that the new, modern organizational structure will require substantial financing.
“The new National Executive must have that as its number one priority. In this, the new Leader will have to play a leading role, and I declare right now my full and unquestioned support in this important task, for whoever emerges as our new Leader today,” Dr. Douglas told the delegates.
Calling on the delegates to remain committed to focus on what is best for the SKNLP and the country, Dr. Douglas said cooperation and collaboration with each other.
“We have no time for divisiveness. We have no time for strife. Together, our priorities must be cohesion and solidarity. And together, we must strive to build bridges across the boundaries of age, class, race, and political affiliation. Comrades, we will leave here today fully energized. Fully committed. In a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving for a new National Executive. And in a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving for the person whom we, together, will elect as the new Political Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party,” said Dr. Douglas.
He ended by quoting from his very first Address delivered as Prime Minister, to the Annual National Conference of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party on May 19, 1996 – an Address which can be found in my book “Coming of Age.”
“Members of this great Party, you have got to turn your thoughts to constructive action in order to achieve unity of purpose. I am convinced that a united St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, working goal. is and will always be unbeatable. But unity can be destroyed, I warn you, by envy, by jealousy, by greed, by gossip, by backstabbing, by second guessing, by slander, and by unjust and unnecessary casting of criticism.”