St Kitts and Nevis: PAM calls emergency caucus after tripartite meeting comes to no conclusion

The political turmoil in St Kitts and Nevis took a new turn on Thursday evening after the governing Team Unity's tripartite meeting, where Prime Minister Timothy Harris declared to reshuffle the cabinet.

The meeting was a follow up to a similar meeting held last Thursday after leaders of the People's Action Movement (PAM) and Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) put forward some areas of concern for consideration by Prime Minister Timothy Harris.

At Thursday's meeting, Prime Minister Timothy Harris proposed a framework to address the issues raised by Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards and CCM Leader Mark Brantley. But, the Prime Minister also stated that "every issue of concern by members cannot be addressed or resolved at this moment; I remain open to further discussions."

Deputy Prime Minister and leader of PAM, Shawn Richards also expressed dismay after the meeting with Prime Minister Timothy Harris. During a statement released on his social media handles, Dy PM Richards said that PAM will hold an emergency meeting to make strategy on further actions.

“PAM and CCM made the positions clear on several issues and we thought it was reasonable to give some time to the Prime Minister to consider the matters and to report back to us today. However, while there were some minor progress on a few issues, it was not what the country needed for an urgent resolution,“ said Richards. He further called the event unfortunate and said that the things which are required to save partnership of 3 political parties (Team Unity) and the preferences of Prime Minister remained large and trembling. “Both the leaders of PAM and CCM presented reasonable proposals that we felt would be adequately addressed, important issues of national interest such as good governance, transparency and accountability. But it turned out to a bridge too wide for the prime minister to cross.” “Sadly, this second time round we could not sit eye to eye on the decisive steps that are needed to ensure that these are undertaken to address the broken down trust,” PAM leader added.

Shawn Richards reported that there is no meaningful platform where all three political parties can build within the present system and with original promises of good governance broken faith and trust continued to be diminished.

“I have decided as leader of PAM to meet immediately with my caucus in emergency session. I will duly report to them in the tale about what transpired today and seek the input on all the issues, thereafter we will decide our way forward. At the end of our consultations, PAM will provide the nation with comprehensive statement that would be definitive on the way forward for us,” concluded Shawn Richards.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/HonShawnRichards/videos/515475966950415/[/embed]

Following the discussions, Prime Minister Timothy Harris also released a video message proposing a code of conduct for better functioning of the cabinet and said all ministries must be subject to greater accountability to the cabinet through regular reporting. He said that acting on the demands, he has agreed to reassign portfolios.

Prime Minister said the new cabinet would address issues such as job creation, cost of living, caring for the elderly and the poor, providing housing, maintaining peace and security and ensuring socio-economic recovery from the pandemic.

"I committed to undertake a review of the make of the cabinet to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the government as a whole," he added.

Prime Minister emphasized the government allowed the World Bank to undertake a study to advise equitable revenue-sharing arrangements between the Federal government and the Nevis Island Administration.

"In the interim, the budgetary support to our sister island of Nevis has been increased as per the request of the Premier," said the Prime Minister.

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/zizonline/videos/1200432147366610[/embed]

Prime Minister said that he is fully committed to making efforts to tackle the political situation of St Kitts and Nevis, which caused discomfort to the general public. However, Prime Minister Harris made no reference to the statement of Dy PM Shawn Richards.

Following the discussions, Premier of Nevis and Leader of Concerned Citizens Movement Mark Brantley quickly showcased his feelings on Facebook and wrote, "Today has been a difficult day, but I wish to say thanks to the many who have called and messaged to say that they are praying for me just as I too am praying for wisdom, discernment and God's abiding grace upon us and upon our Nation."