By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 15th February 2023) -Political Leader of The Nevis Reformation Party Hon. Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge being at loggerheads over the signing of a letter to the Governor General for the appointment of Hodge-Daniel to be the appointed Opposition Leader has resulted in suspension and cutting party ties drama which members of the public continue to debate.
Following the five seats contested in the Nevis local elections in December 2022, Daniel-Hodge of Nevis 4 (St. James) and Stapleton-Simmonds of Nevis 5 (St. Thomas) both won their seats running on the NRP – POLITICS – ticket.
The results for candidates Dr. Patricia Bartlette of Nevis 2 (St. Johns) and Ms. Jaedee Caines of Nevis 1 (St. Paul’s) are being challenged in the High Court. “The Executive Committee of the Nevis Reformation Party took a decision on December 29th, 2022, that I, as Party Leader, should be appointed the Opposition Leader.
The Hon. Cleone Stapeleton “Simmonds was made aware of the Executive decision and was requested to advise the GG (Governor General) of her support for me as the Opposition Leader in furtherance of the decision of the Executive.
While I will not go into the details of the situation at hand, It is with regret that I inform you that, to date, Honorable Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds has not complied with the request of the Executive Committee to sign the letter. As such, the Governor-General has not appointed an Opposition Leader,” was what DanielHodge claimed in a statement issued on Friday 10th February 2023.
Additionally, she informed that: “As leader of this party, therefore, I wish to advise that the Honorable Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds has been conditionally suspended from the institutions of the NRP, pending the findings and recommendations of the NRP Disciplinary Committee.” Dr. Daniel-Hodge stated that “With two elected members, the NRP is entitled to have one member appointed as Opposition Leader, provided that that member is supported by the other elected member.
The Opposition Leader is entitled to nominate a Senator in The Nevis Island Assembly.” In addressing the situation in a national address on Tuesday 14th February, Stapleton-Simmonds stated that “… There are two members who comprise of the opposition and one cannot be appointed as leader of the opposition without the support of the other.
At all material times, I have indicated that I fully support Honourable Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge to be the leader of the opposition.” She continued: “However, I did request that I would like to have a say in selecting the nominated member.
I remain resolute that this was not a difficult proposal. Some may argue that the leader of the opposition has the right to nominate a senator . However, the member has to first be appointed as leader of the opposition. This my dear citizens is not an absolute right nor an entitlement.
It requires collaboration , consensus and compromise. It is a give and take situation” According to her: “As the elected member for Nevis 5, I am of the first view that I must always have a voice on behalf of the people who elected me to represent them and that voice should never be muzzled or muted in any way.” Stapleton-Simmonds revealed during her presentation that she will be serving her constituents as an independent candidate.“To the good people of St.
Thomas parish, I wish to tell you that it was always my intention to serve you and the people of Nevis in a principled manner and with the highest level of integrity as your area representative. I pledge to do my best to continue to build St.
Thomas Parish and to advocate for changes that would help to enhance your standard of living and provide you with a more comfortable life. I will continue to serve you in the Nevis Island Assembly, as an independent member of the opposition.”
