By Kennedy Earle Clarke — 12 September 2022
Dear reader, we are celebrating 39 years of Independence which has not bonded us and united us as one people — and perhaps this is due to the fact that the traitors to Independence took us there. Dr. Simeon Daniel, leader of the Nevis Reformation Party, did not believe in Independence. His sole belief was in Secession. While PAM fiercely and thunderously condemned independence when Comrade Robert Bradshaw campaigned in the 1975 General Elections that a “YES VOTE” for the LABOUR PARTY was a “YES VOTE” for INDEPENDENCE — and LABOUR won that General Election overwhelmingly, with all seats — it was totally acceptable for St. Kitts-Nevis to enter into Independence under PAM, supported by the big businesses in Basseterre and the sugar estate owners who financed the 1967 attempted overthrow of the Bradshaw-led Government.
Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw took ill and, after an unsuccessful operation in St. Kitts, journeyed to London and returned home bedridden. On May 25th, 1978, he succumbed to his illness and was granted a State Funeral where dignitaries attended, hailing his contribution and dedication to the Working-Class people of the Caribbean. While the PAM factions were rejoicing at his demise, the Caribbean was mourning the loss of a champion of the Working Class. After Bradshaw’s death, division arose in the Labour ranks over his succession. Having been declared the winner in a controversial 1980 by-election for Comrade Bradshaw’s constituency, Dr. Kennedy Simmonds joined the 1980 General Elections, which saw LABOUR win 4 Seats and PAM win 3. PAM joined up with the Nevis Reformation Party’s 2 Seats and formed the Government. The Subject “HISTORY” is like unto a recurring decimal, returning the same old answer every time. Those who do not know their history are condemned to repeat it.