PM Douglas says Cabinet members and youthful and dynamic candidates are united in keeping St. Kitts and Nevis on its positive and upward trajectory

Basseterre, St. Kitts (CUOPM) – Political Leader of the ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says the 19th anniversary of the Party in office is not to focus on certain individuals’ attempts to trick and mislead the nation, but affirm that Labour’s ability to pull together, to regroup, and march forward undeterred following the 2013 departure of two Cabinet members.

“Labour’s deft management of the global economic crisis, our ongoing upliftment of students, parents, and workers at a time of shrinking regional and global options and Labour’s success at advancing the interests of our country’s businesses, our country’s workers, and the nation as a whole shows that today, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is better. We are stronger. And we are ready. And the people have full confidence,” the Prime Minister said in a national broadcast on Tuesday.

Indicating that the cohesion and the singularity of purpose that now imbue the 82-year-old Party have made the leadership and rank and file better, Prime Minister Douglas said that the “dynamic and innovative thinking of our ‘Springtime Candidates’ has made the party stronger.”

“Our internationally applauded success at shielding Kittitians and Nevisians during the most precarious and volatile of global economic environments, our having produced an economic rate of growth that is beyond even those of the developed nations and those nations of the region all show that we are ready,” said the four-term prime minister.

He said his Cabinet members, Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin; the Honourable Marcella Althea Liburd, the Honourable Glenn Phillip, the Honourable Patrice Nisbett, the Honorable Jason Hamilton, the Honourable Ricky Skerritt, and the Honourable Nigel Carty, have delivered so ably on behalf of the nation.

He encouraged listeners to meet and interact with the youthful and dynamic candidates, computer and electrical engineer Mr. Konris Maynard, medical practitioner Dr. Norgen Wilson, medical practitioner Dr. Vance Gilbert and medical practitioner Dr. Terrance Drew.

“As I said at the time of our Party’s 2014 conference in May, it is interesting that at this particular time in our nation’s history, so many persons who have dedicated their lives to mastering the art of healing, have stepped forward to serve their communities and their progressive and proud nation. They have dedicated their lives to making the ill, well; to restoring life in the face of death. And to making whole that which has been broken. This is an orientation and a mindset which our nation indeed needs, and their particular skillsets are sure to redound to the benefit of our nation at large,” Prime Minister Douglas said.

He added that the exchanges and interaction between the current Cabinet members and Labour’s “springtime candidates,” have been stimulating and energizing.

“Their dynamism, their innovativeness, and their life-and-professional skills and insights have been, and will be, of great value to Labour and indeed to the nation, a fact that becomes instantly apparent whenever they interact with the public at large. At the same time, they have committed themselves to understanding Government, its rules and its regulations, its impact and service potential, and the seriousness with which they are doing so is inspiring indeed,” Dr. Douglas said.

He boldly stated: “In Labour, my fellow nationals, our country has experience and youth, wisdom and innovation. In addition, Labour has clearly proven its ability to protect and uplift – in the most trying of global circumstances. Importantly, our country today is internationally respected. Let us together, then, face the future together, committed to giving our best, and exhibiting the wisdom that is called for, in order to ensure that the country we love so much remains on its positive and upward trajectory.”