Torn Kittitians and Nevisians: Where to Look for Direction as the General Election Draws Near

With the 2019 Budget Address delivered, Christmas behind, and New Year celebrations bringing hope and optimism, St Kitts and Nevis is now focusing on the future, and, more specifically, the 2020 general elections. One former civil servant, Nigel Faron, recently weighed in on the matter.

“It is a difficult time for Kittitians and Nevisians to choose sides, or even clearly assess individual Government achievements,” says Faron, who points to Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris’ recent celebration, on 14 December, of a ‘double salary’ for the third year in a row for Government employees as an example. “While at first sight this may seem cause for celebration, the more serious, underlying issue is that Government employees are underpaid. Many of them are trapped in debts they cannot afford. A better solution would be a salary raise, with additional income every month.”

There are others who are voicing concerns with the current Government, particularly with respect to local real estate development. On the one hand, some developments have been successful, as is the case for the Park Hyatt St Kitts, which won 'Caribbean Hotel of the Year' in the Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Travel Awards 2018. On the other hand, others have been stagnating. The St Kitts Ramada Resort, scheduled to open by 2018, is still a mere skeleton and some way away from the luxury development it was intended to become. All this despite the Prime Minister characterising the project as “progressing at an impressive rate.” “Again, it seems that the Government could do better: it delivers in some areas, but fails to deliver in others. More alarmingly, it seems to be unable to properly evaluate the ability of some developers to deliver on their promises,” notes Faron.

There is still one year to go before Kittitians and Nevisians head to the polls to vote in the General Elections. One candidate is the current Prime Minister, who, according to Faron, is “bright, and someone who can capture the hearts of the country particularly when delivering speeches.” Another is the Leader of the Opposition, Dr the Right Honourable Denzil Douglas, who dominated the political scene for years and “is highly experienced and continues to be loved,” Faron observes. A third option, he says, “is perhaps the Minister of Foreign Affairs for St Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley. I know he has raised awareness of St Kitts and Nevis on a global scale, putting our country on the international map.”

Faron says, however, that he is not best placed to shed light on who should lead the Federation. In his opinion, the man for the job is Sam Condor, who has held numerous ministerial roles including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Security, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Labour, Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Social Security. “Sam Condor is the kind of person who listens to peoples’ problems and consistently prioritises others. He loves St Kitts and Nevis, and truly has the wellbeing of the nation at heart. He knows the needs of businesses and of the common man. Fortunately, he is also closely acquainted with all three politicians. He worked with both Denzil Douglas and Timothy Harris for 20 years or so, and he has been working with Mark Brantley for four years. His opinion of these three men is likely more accurate than that of many others who will be voicing their preference in the coming months,” concludes Faron.