My fellow Comrades and well-wishers of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party,

As we gather to commemorate the second anniversary of our historic victory on August 5, 2022, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the steadfast support and dedication of each one of you. This celebration is not just a reminder of our triumph at the polls, but a testament to our collective commitment to building a brighter future for St. Kitts and Nevis for striving for better with the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party at the helm. 

Today, however, we also gather with a heavy heart. Our beloved comrade, Honourable Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip, a former Minister of Government and the Parliamentary Representative for St Christopher #4, has passed away. Honourable Phillip, affectionately known as ‘Ghost,’ was a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for our community. His dedication to the development of sports, particularly basketball, and his relentless efforts to uplift the youth of our nation will forever be etched in our memories. 

Honourable Phillip’s tenure as Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Information Technology, Telecommunications, and Posts was marked by passion and vision. He played a crucial role in advancing sports infrastructure and youth programs, fostering a spirit of unity and excellence. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the numerous initiatives he championed. As we remember him, let us be inspired by his commitment to service and his love for our nation. 

Reflecting on our journey over the past two years, we have much to celebrate. Our administration has implemented numerous transformative initiatives under the Independence RESET programme, designed to bring relief and stimulate economic growth. Among these, the Independence 40 Workers Bonus of EC$1000 injected EC$45 million into our economy, directly benefiting our hardworking citizens. We have also addressed arrears in essential services, ensuring immediate reconnection for residential SKELEC and Water Services customers, and eliminated penalties on National Housing Corporation mortgages. A critical RESET was for the interest payments on outstanding land balances. These were reset to zero and appropriate extensions provided for payment instalments. 

Our efforts to make homeownership more accessible through the Build and Thrive Incentive, which offers duty-free and reduced VAT on building materials for first-time homeowners and renovators, have been instrumental in supporting our citizens. Furthermore, we have lowered interest rates on residential lands and provided generous waivers to ease the financial burden on new landowners. 

In addition to these economic measures, we demonstrated our commitment to public service workers with an 8% salary increase for all civil servants and pensioners, effective January 2024, and a 50% Christmas bonus in 2023. We have also increased the national minimum wage to $430 weekly, ensuring a fairer living standard for all workers. 

A landmark achievement of our administration is the operationalization of pensions for Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs) and other monthly-paid government workers employed on or after May 18, 2012. Today, qualified, retired GAEs receive their pension payments, inclusive of back payments to January 2024. This initiative underscores our dedication to recognizing and rewarding the contributions of all workers, especially those who have been historically overlooked. 

In healthcare, we have made significant strides, including the deployment of four new triage officers at the JNF General Hospital, reducing wait times by 40%. We installed new air conditioning units in the medical and surgical wards, restored the hospital’s roof with support from the Republic of China (Taiwan), and upgraded the water system. The renovation of the hospital lobby, funded by The Cable, and the commencement of construction on the MRI Building are critical steps towards enhancing our healthcare services. Our vision for a climate-smart JNF General Hospital and the transformative Project Start to establish our nation’s first health city are also progressing well. 

Social security benefits have been improved, with an increase in the pension to $500 and the funeral grant benefit to $3000. Our partnership with Southern University in Louisiana is already yielding significant benefits in higher education and agriculture for our students. 

We have passed over 20 critical pieces of legislation to improve the lives of our people, discovered a new well providing potable water in Cayon, and commenced construction of two new desalination plants to ensure a sustainable water supply. 

Our economy is thriving, with the private sector publishing record numbers of job openings. I encourage all Party members to seize these opportunities and support their loved ones, especially young adults, in seeking out these jobs to improve their lives. 

However, we are also mindful of the recent upsurge in violent crimes. Our government is committed to using all necessary resources to combat this scourge, and we ask for the Party and the public’s assistance in this fight. It requires an all-hands-on-deck, all-inclusive approach. 

As we look forward to the third year of our administration, we pledge to start the construction of smart homes, commence construction of a new, modern Basseterre High School, complete the MRI Building at JNF General Hospital, and roll out our renewable energy projects. We will continue to add new water sources through desalination and wells, ensuring a sustainable future for our nation. 

Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Cabinet colleagues and the stellar support, love, and dedication of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Comrades. Your excellent support and guidance have been instrumental in our achievements. Let us continue to stand united, stick with our Party, and provide our leaders with sound advice as we strive to create a brighter future for all.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 5th June 2024)- Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Investment Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has issued a rebuttal to a recent civil claim filed by MSR Hotels & CO. Ltd., MSR Media International LLC, and Philippe Martinez concerning St. Kitts-Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.

 “These allegations are baseless, malicious, and are deliberate attacks intending to destroy my reputation, character, and legacy,” he says in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3rd June 2024.

The 102-page legal document filed in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, names Dr. Douglas and other parties in the plaintiff section. 

According to Dr. Douglas: “The Civil Claim filed against me makes very serious allegations in my personal capacity as well as in my capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. I categorically deny the allegations that have been levelled against me, all of which are ridiculously false accusations made by the Plaintiffs in the Claim. The document is riddled with hearsay. These allegations are baseless, malicious, and are deliberate attacks intending to destroy my reputation, character, and legacy.”

He emphasized his commitment to public service and integrity, noting, “Over the last thirty-five years I have dedicated my life to public service and have always upheld the highest standards of integrity and transparency in my work. There is nothing in the allegations which warrants any further response or immediate attention.”

Highlighting the achievements of his tenure, Dr. Douglas referenced the impact of the CBI Programme. 

“I am proud of the record of achievements of the Government that I led from 1995-2015 and the work we did to transform the Citizenship by Investment Programme into one of inclusion. The Programme, modernized by the Government I led, is single-handedly responsible for the socioeconomic fortunes of our beautiful country over the last two decades. This is an unchallengeable fact,” he stated.

Dr. Douglas expressed confidence in his eventual vindication. “Should it become necessary I have every confidence that given the opportunity to put the plaintiffs to proof on these sinister allegations in a Court of law they will prove to be untrue and my name will be vindicated,” he asserted.

He also conveyed his gratitude for the support he has received.

 “I am grateful for the hundreds of calls and messages of well wishes and concerns over these past few days from citizens home and abroad. I assure you that justice will prevail, and the mischief makers along with their accomplices on the ground here in St. Kitts and Nevis will not triumph in their long-held obsession to distort the history of this country and the legacy I have built,” he stated.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 3rd June 2024)-Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, Minister of National Security and Finance, has restated his government’s commitment to good governance and regulation of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme, highlighting the criminalization of underselling and discounting of passports as one of the key steps put in place under his new administration upon taking office.

“We introduced criminalization for anybody who would have undersold or who would have misrepresented the true cost of our citizenship by investment. So we did not wait on anybody to do that; that is why we are ahead of the game.”

Dr. Drew expressed such sentiments during a Round Table media session held on Friday 31st May 2024, addressing the recent lawsuit filed by MSR Media in a US court regarding the CBI programme.

He underscored the proactive steps taken by his administration upon taking office in August 2022 to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the CBI programme.

 “I think at the beginning people did not fully comprehend, and not because of anything else, it’s because it was not so clear and apparent at that particular time. But in the course of time, I think people have come to understand why I said it was challenging, why I was so aggressive in looking at the CBI, in making the changes that were necessary because I think people understand, or people understand clearer now,” he stated.

Dr. Drew emphasized that the government’s actions have always been rooted in the principles of good governance. 

“Of course, I would always say that anything that we do in St. Kitts and Nevis had to be premised on the principles of good governance because we had given good governance, laws, and asking people to comply with them. As you know, we have some of the toughest laws in the region. Not only that, but secondly, we have one of the highest rates of compliance as well,” he said.

He pointed out that corruption and lack of good governance were major issues under the previous administration led by Dr. Timothy Harris. 

“…in the last seven years during [Team] Unity and coming up with, they spoke about good governance and for seven years that Timothy Harris was the prime minister not once did they say we are going to enact these laws so that people can comply. This is a fact. He led a corrupt administration and I’m not saying that because of politics; these are facts. I’ve gone through multiple ministries, sectors, [and] institutions to highlight the corruption that was then. Almost everything was premised on corruption; deeply corrupted… still bothers me,” he lamented.

He indicated that since taking office in August 2022, his administration has implemented several significant changes to the CBI programme. “August 2022, my ministry ordered an internal review of the CBI program. I was sworn in August 6, 2022, and one of the first things that I did was to order an internal audit of the CBI. Of course, this program had been running since the 1980s- 1984, to get a full audit will take some time but I wanted a quick view as to what was taking place so that we can start making the changes,” he explained.

PM Drew highlighted key milestones, including his visit to Dubai in December 2022 to discuss the evolved CBI programme and the introduction of new regulations in December 2023. 

“I went to discuss with them about the evolved CBI program that we are introducing based on sustainability and good governance. In December 2023, we brought new CBI regulations; they were published. Board of governors introduced to oversee operations of CIU review developer applications and prepare submissions to cabinet, technical committee set up to review files and advise minister. Underselling/discounting was criminalized. I want to stress on that…When we made the changes, we made it a criminal act to undersell or discount our CBI program. These SR&Os were made public. I spoke of them so we are not waiting for somebody to tell us what should be done but we were proactive,” he asserted.

As understood from him, further tightening of procedural application requirements and advertisement regulations were introduced in February 2023 as it relates to “a new international marketing agent due diligence required.” Additionally, in March 2024, a bill was tabled in parliament to make the CBI unit a statutory corporation with requirements for reporting to parliament.

Dr. Drew stressed that such measures were not reactionary but part of a forward-thinking strategy. 

“There is nothing that anyone did that drove us to do this. We started immediately after taking office because we were determined that the CBI and any other thing that has to do with the government would come under the  good governance agenda including this. So we are not reactionary; as a matter of fact, we are ahead of the game. Therefore that is why I would like to say that is why nobody can implicate me in anything,” he said.

PM Drew underscored the importance of good governance in protecting the integrity and reputation of the country. 

“These types of things can embarrass countries. These types of things can turn off people and that is why I’m being so strong because I want to protect the integrity of this country and the good name of this country that we have been working so hard to build back after we took office in August,” he declared.

Additionally, he addressed the recent lawsuit and its implications, and also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the integrity of St. Kitts and Nevis’ CBI programme through regulations and adherence to good governance.

 “I know there is a part of it that talks about the judicial review that those who would have gotten citizenship- in a part on the prison project- that they should be removed. We introduced criminalization for anybody who would have under sold or who would have, you know, misrepresented the true cost of our citizenship by investment. So we did not wait on anybody to do that; that is why we are ahead of the game.”

He added: “Nobody should be able to take any government to work for good governance, you should have good governance from the beginning and this demonstrates this government is serious. These types of things can embarrass countries. These types of things can turn off people and that is why I’m being so strong because I want to protect the integrity of this country and the good name of this country that we have been working so hard to build back after we took office in August,” he declared.

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 21st May 2024)-“As I said at the beginning, there is a difference between governance and politics. But don’t make the mistake of forgetting the political work. When in government, keep in touch with the people in good and bad times.”

So said Dr. Dayton Campbell, General Secretary of the People’s National Party (PNP) from Jamaica while speaking in the capacity as guest speaker at the 92nd annual national conference of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) on Sunday 19^th May 2024 at Manhattan Gardens in Lime Kiln, Basseterre, held under the theme ‘Live, Work, Prosper: Together.’

“I want, from where I stand, to congratulate you. On returning to government, I want to congratulate your supporters who stuck with the party in good and in bad times,” he added.

He emphasized the distinction between politics and governance, underscoring the importance of using political power responsibly once in office.

“Let me hasten to say that there is a huge difference between politics and governance. Politics is what we will use to get a chance to govern. But when we get a chance to govern, we must never use it to play politics. We must use it to transform the lives of our children. Our people regardless of who they support who they know the circumstances of their birth or any other myopic view that seeks to divide us as a people…”

Reflecting on the shared experiences of political parties, both in St. Kitts and Nevis and Jamaica, Dr. Campbell emphasized the importance of unity. “As a political party, you have won and you have lost. So have we in Jamaica. We have learned a lesson that we must stick together. Every now and then, it is appropriate to remind ourselves why we call ourselves comrades. Comrades, unity is strength. Do not lose it. Be deliberate in maintaining it. It is always better to be in government than in opposition. It is always better to be in government than to be in opposition.”

In stressing the ongoing need for political engagement and connection with the populace, he commented “And the most important thing that you need to stay in government is to be united in your cause in carrying out the mission of the people.”

Dr. Campbell, a trained-medical doctor, began his speech by addressing the common question of why someone would leave a career in medicine for the often challenging world of politics. “People who ask, why politics? Why would you leave medicine to go into politics where it can be toxic and guttural? My answer has always been the same. Politics is the vehicle that we use to transform the society. A civil society group can champion a cause. The church can and should champion a cause. But it is politics that determines the type of society we live in and what we will leave to our children. It behooves us, therefore, to not only get involved, but to ensure that we remain true to ourselves. It is our mission, for the good we can do, to live, work, prosper, together.”

Dr. Campbell praised the SKNLP’s numerous accomplishments in various sectors including in tourism, education, health care and agriculture, saying “This is transformative.”

He went on to highlight the need for recognition and appreciation of the efforts made by the current administration whilst adding “but there are several times that we don’t appreciate who we have. There are several times that we look at others and we think that the grass is greener on the other side. But when I see some big items in terms of your minimum wage being one of the highest. I look at the pension reform, financial education and savings program I pause and say you have got to hold on to what you’ve got. A financial literacy program will be a part of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. And so I want to commend and love the work that the efforts of Prime Minister Dr. Drew and his A-Team and I say this is progress and not just promises.”

Encouraging the SKNLP to remain focused and undeterred by criticism, Dr. Campbell urged the team to continue their transformative work.

“I encourage the team that is ably led by Dr. Drew to be bold, to be transformative. Leave this Federation better than you found it. Don’t be distracted. Learn to ignore the vitriol and press on with the work of people. All some of them attack. Dr. Drew tell them, you are a stepper! Some will criticise you falsely. Some will tear you down. Respond with work and the love for the people and let them know that we are not the same.”