Editorial
In April 2020, the government of The United Kingdom took positive steps to protect small businesses from aggressive rent collection during the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduced a variety of schemes under which medium and smaller sized companies and sole traders were allowed to structure arrangements that eased the economic and financial strains which would otherwise have driven them into liquidation. Quite recently, they also took steps to protect consumers from ‘unreasonable’ increases in the over-the-counter prices of basic consumer goods and medicines, essentially implementing price control measures. Those actions were not taken by any socialist or left-wing administration — rather they were designed and implemented by a conservative government, and an ultra-conservative one at that. Their actions demonstrated a very real concern for the ordinary people and their general welfare.
How does that compare with what has been happening in St. Kitts and Nevis? At a time when people are under some of the most severe economic pressures experienced in several generations, we find that the big businesses have been mercilessly increasing the over-the-counter prices of almost all items. People have been complaining bitterly about the seemingly heartless way in which the big supermarkets and other houses of commerce have quite literally doubled the price of goods in the space of less than six months. Where, oh where is the government in all of this?
There are those who express that they allowed themselves to be misled, and as a result are remorseful. In response, supporters of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party often make arguments and give reminders that the organisation has always been a movement of the people, run by the people, for the good of the people. Many often say it is an organisation of love and caring which came into existence as a result of the sufferings and deprivations of the ordinary people of our country. People of St. Kitts and Nevis, it goes without saying that elections have consequences. No matter which side of the fence you are, we all have opinions about good governance. Let us all honestly debate ‘ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES’ in being mindful that we all have a role to play at the polls.