"Timothy Harris will not be our next Prime Minister," says Shawn Richards

"Timothy Harris will not be our next Prime Minister,” Shawn Richards asserted during a press briefing in St Kitts.

Tuesday, 26th April 2022

Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards during a press briefing

Basseterre: Deputy Prime Minister and Political Leader of People's Action Movement (PAM) today made a blunt statement against current Prime Minister and People's Labour Party (PLP) leader Dr Timothy Harris that he will not be the next prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis. "Timothy Harris will not be our next Prime Minister,” Shawn Richards asserted during a press briefing in St Kitts. Richards lambasted Prime Minister and said that all the progress made in St Kitts and Nevis is effort of all Team Unity not only 1 man. He announced the beginning of a new era in which new Team Unity, also known as Real Unity, will focus on 14 pillar agenda with a new start and a new vision. "The pillars of our future economic, political, and social development, will include, but not be limited to: 1. The full actualization of our political aspirations to chart our own destiny under a republican system of government, where a Kittitian or Nevisian sits as our Head of State. 2. The advancement of the decades has taught us that the time has come for St. Kitts & Nevis to review its Monarchial system of government, and to begin the dialogue to advance to a new status, just as Trinidad, Guyana, Dominica and now Barbados, have done in the past. 3. However, this will not be pursued along partisan lines. All political parties, along with civil society and the youth, will have an opportunity to guide the way forward. These thoughts on republicanism, are of my own and I would have to dialogue with the partners. 4. Additionally, after almost 40 years, we, as a nation need to begin introducing meaningful constitutional change. This too will be a consultative process with all social and political stakeholders. 5. This means that we remain committed to the pledge of Good Governance and will introduce and where applicable operationalize legislation to give effect to Freedom of Information, Term Limits, Integrity in Public Life, Electoral Reform, and others. 6. We will also work with agencies within the structure of government and with private sector representatives to introduce new legislation, policies, and procedures to curtail and eventually eliminate the problems associated with the awarding of major government contracts and with corruption. 7. We will build an economy that is driven by Tourism, Light Manufacturing, Information & Technology, Agriculture, the Culture & Entertainment Sector & Services. 8. In addition to the traditional tourism of cruise and land based, we will pursue a new agenda in Sports Tourism and Education Tourism. 9. We intend to work more meaningfully and strategically, with our Taiwanese partners, to turn the wastage of our fruits and vegetables, into exportable commodities. 10. Agriculture must become a priority focus. 11. Another initiative that is proposed for the future, is the introduction of comprehensive Immigration Reform. This would include amnesty for all qualified foreigners who are in our country. And it will include a new Residency Status Program, and the reduction in the number of years for legal residents to qualify for citizenship. In other words, our new partnership would give consideration to introducing a Blue Card, similar to the American Green Card. 12. We will also pursue an aggressive program for Poverty Alleviation, to lift our citizens to the highest heights of social and economic security. 13. A new Youth Agenda, that shall see greater opportunities for young people in business, increased academic scholarships, mentorship programs and vocational initiatives, are part of our program for the way forward. 14. Finally, our new agenda will also include a partnership with the Rastafarian community, to offer land and other assistance to build a temple for their worship and the practice of their faith. These are just a few initiatives that will occupy priority attention in a new administration driven by the collaborative efforts of the CCM and PAM. However, none of this would be achieved if we do not take decisive action now." Motion of No-Confidence Dy PM also announced that on Monday, majority members of Team Unity initiated a motion of no-confidence against the current Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, keeping in law, the motion will be scheduled at the earliest and will be addressed before 21 days. He asserted that all the PAM and CCM ministers could have closed their eyes to injustice and would have retained their positions, but they took action, sacrificing their positions for a greater good.