BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, – Less than 72 hours after Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas warned two senior Cabinet ministers that they should either resign or submit their resignations if they intended to oppose the government policies, he has fired Senior Minister Dr Timothy Harris.
In a radio and television broadcast last night, Dr Douglas said that Harris, who is also the Chairman of the ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), had been dismissed because of his opposition to two recent government-sponsored legislation, including one to increase the number of senators in the National Assembly.
In addition, he said Timothy, who is also expected to be stripped of his party chairmanship position when the SKNLP holds a special convention, had refused to indicate how he would vote on the national budget and on an opposition inspired motion of no confidence in the St. Kitts-Nevis government.
“Specifically Senior Minister Harris has refused to support the Government- sponsored…Vesting of Certain Land Act. He has indicated to the Cabinet and to the entire country that he will not support the Government-sponsored Senators Increased of Number Bill.
“He has consistently refused to confirm to the Cabinet that he will support the budget when it comes before parliament for approval, and he has refused to confirm to Cabinet that he will vote against a Motion of No Confidence in the Government of which he is a Senior Minister,” Douglas said in his broadcast.
On Tuesday, during his radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister”, Douglas had warned that he would not tolerate Cabinet ministers not supporting the government’s policies and also that the ruling party would take strong objection to people elected to the parliament on its slate and then seeking to undermine it.
While he did not name anyone, it was apparent he was referring to Timothy and Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor, who in recent months have openly opposed government policies, including forcing a postponement of the presentation of the national budget last month. (CMC)
