Governor General to deliver Speech from the Throne at Wednesday’s Opening of the National Assembly

Government Headquarters which houses the National Assembly Chambers (Photo by Erasmus Williams)

ST. KITTS, MARCH 9, 2010 (CUOPM) – The fourth-term St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration policies and programmes of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas will be outlined on Wednesday March 10 at the Opening of a new session of the National Assembly.

Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian will deliver the traditional Speech from the Throne following the election of a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker and the taking of the Oath by all members on the government and opposition benches.

First elected in July 1995 and re-elected in March 2000 and October 2004, Prime Minister Douglas’ St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) received a renewed mandate from the electorate on January 25th 2010 winning six of the eleven seats in the lawmaking body.

Returning to the lawmaking body are Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin, (Labour – St. Christopher 1); Hon. Sam Condor (Labour – St. Christopher 3); Hon. Shawn Richards (PAM – St. Christopher 5); Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (Labour – St. Christopher 6); Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris (Labour – St. Christopher 7); Hon. Mark Brantley (CCM – Nevis 9); Hon. Vance Amory (CCM-Nevis 10) and Hon. Patrice Nisbett (NRP – Nevis 11).

Newly-elected representatives are Hon. Marcella Liburd (Labour – St. Christopher 2); Hon. Glenn Phillip (Labour – St. Christopher 4) and the Hon. Eugene Hamilton (PAM – St. Christopher 8). Ms. Liburd is no stranger to the lawmaking body having served as a senator and as Speaker in the National Assembly.

Returning also are the two government-appointed senators – Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty and Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt and lone opposition senator-designate – Hon. Vincent Byron Jr.

The Members of the National Assembly will assemble on the Ground Floor of Government Headquarters. Prime Minister Douglas will inspect the Guard of Honour outside Government Headquarters, following which he will lead a procession of parliamentarians to the National Assembly Chambers.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Mr. Jose Lloyd will invite the Chaplain to say Prayers and then read the Proclamation from Government House.

The Clerk will supervise the Election of the Speaker and administers the Oath. Following the election of a Deputy Speaker and the administering of the Oath of Allegiance to all members, the House will be suspended for the arrival of His Excellency the Governor General Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian GCMG, OBE, MD, CM.

Sir Cuthbert on arrival will take the Salute and Inspects the Guard of Honour before going to the National Assembly Chambers to deliver the Throne Speech, his third since taking office in 1996. The Second Speech from the Throne was delivered by the Deputy Governor, His Honour Mr. Eustace John in 2000.

The National Assembly will adjourn following the Throne Speech and the Departure of the Governor General.