PM Timothy Harris dissolves St Kitts and Nevis Parliament

St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris announced the dissolution of the parliament of St Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. In addition to that, he also declared the suspension of the six parliamentarians who had presented a no-confidence motion in PM Harris. 

Prime Minister Timothy Harris announced the decision during his address to the nation, where he noted, “The people of St Kitts and Nevis deserve better throughout the process. I have been reasonable but resolute in my commitment to ensuring that the government was delivering for you.”

He exclaimed that that’s the reason he had taken the decision and suspended the members who had shown a disinterest in their duties. 

“It is for this reason that I have taken the difficult but necessary step to remove from their positions those who have shown a disinterest in their duties. I have asked his excellency to reassign their portfolios to members who have willing and able to deliver for you.”

He said that the people of St Kitts and Nevis have been subjected to increasingly strange and irrational behaviour by certain members of the people’s action movement plan and the concerned citizens movement. 

These events commenced with the convention of the PAM when the guest speaker Mark Brantley and the political leader of PAM Shawn K Richards unwisely and publicly levelled scared in criticisms about the relationship between the tripartite movement, he added. 

“This development was surprising inappropriate and called for and absolutely inconsistent with the public pronouncement made by them on numerous occasions,” he underscored. 

Prime Minister Harris exclaimed that he met with both ministers Brantley and Richards and more than one occasion since the PAM convention, at which time they raised several issues. Their concerns were subsequently articulated in a later dated April 16, 2022 in which they made some 18 accusations and demands. 

“I responded in writing on April 20, 2022, giving a comprehensive response to each one of the allegations and demands that definitive response remains unanswered,” PM Harris added. 

While emphasizing the decision, PM Harris speaks, “I strongly believe in the people’s right to choose their representatives in free and fair general elections. The time for decision making is at hand. Accordingly, I have asked the governor-general to dissolve the Parliament of St Kitts and Nevis effective today, May 10, 2022.”

He further advised people about the general election and asserted that he would advise the people when general elections would be held. In the meantime, the government continues to function, and it will do so in an orderly, efficient and effective manner.

Prime Minister Harris also declared the appointment of the new Deputy Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis. 

While noting the decision, PM Harris highlighted that he asked the governor-general, SW Tapley Seaton, to remove Shawn Richards from the office of the Deputy Prime Minister. In his stead, he has advised appointing Eugene Hamilton to the office of Deputy Prime Minister.