From all indications it seems like the party was busy over the past season mapping out its campaign strategies for the New Year, given that there are speculations that an early poll is very likely; some say as early as February or March.
With the Premier of Nevis already “ringing the bell” on that island for local elections on 22nd January, it seems like the opposition party on the sister island of St. Kitts, is also eager for elections, or at least for a resumption of the meetings of the National Assembly, so that a planned Resolution (Motion) of No Confidence, can be debated and voted on, after being filed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mark Brantley, approximately 2 months ago.
Since then however, two previously scheduled meetings of the parliament have been cancelled and opposition politicians have been claiming that the Prime minister has no intention of convening a session of the legislative body, out of fear that he may lose the vote of no confidence. The continued closure of the House, said the opposition, is untenable, and as such they have decided to take their case back to the people and to resume their peaceful public protest, starting this week.
In a press statement issued late Sunday night, (6th January, 2013), The People’s Action Movement leader, Mr. Shawn Richards, announced that they are starting 2013 in campaign mode.
“We are definitely starting 2013 in campaign mode as we fully expect elections to be called shortly and this is why we are beginning the year with a series of public meetings and a major event this coming Friday, ”Richards said.
The party kicks off its 2013 Campaign with a series of Public Meetings beginning on Tuesday 8th January in Old Road. The meetings are expected to culminate on Friday 11th January with a “MARCH OF NO CONFIDENCE” through the streets of Basseterre.
“We have marched before and we will march and march again until Dr. Denzil Douglas heeds the call of the people of this country for him to step down; step aside and allow CONFIDENCE TO BE RESTORED in our country and it’s governance,” said Shawn Richards, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for Sandy Point.
“On Friday we will once again take to the streets to again demand our lands and to also call for and demand that PM Douglas opens the House so that CONFIDENCE can be restored in this country,” Richards proclaimed.
Richards along with his opposition parliamentary colleagues, led by Mark Brantley, filed a motion of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Curtis Martin, and asked that it be tabled for debate at the earliest possible opportunity and as a matter of urgency. However since the tabling of the motion Parliament is yet to be convened, due to various excuses which the Opposition has argued are simply orchestrated delayed tactics to avoid the debate on the motion, said PAM.
“Our march is a March of NO Confidence. No Confidence in the leadership of Dr. Douglas and NO Confidence in the current state of affairs of our country. The Prime Minister must open the house to allow the Motion of No Confidence to be tabled and debated so that confidence can be restored to our beloved country. RESTORING CONFIDENCE is what is necessary at this time for our country,” Richards said.
The other meetings scheduled leading up to the March of No Confidence on Friday will be held at New Road, on Wednesday; Ponds Extension on Thursday and; a Lunchtime meeting at the Industrial Site on Friday.
The full schedule of events is as follows:
- Tuesday 8th January, Old Road, 8:00pm
- Wednesday 9th January, East Basseterre (Bractus Shop), at 8:00pm
- Thursday 10th January, Central Basseterre, (New Road), at 8:00pm
- Friday 11th January, Industrial Site, 12:00 Noon
- Friday 11th January, March of No Confidence, Downtown Basseterre, 4:30pm, followed by public meeting, (Bank Street), 6:00pm-7:30pm.
Proposed March Route: Cayon Street-(Tamarind Tree); Church Street, College Street, Liverpool Row, Fort Street, Cayon Street, West Independence Square Street, Bay Road, Fort Street, Bank Street).