Labour Party questions apparent collusion between the Chamber and PAM

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 12TH 2009 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is raising the possibility of collusion between the opposition Peoples Action Movement and the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

The Labour Party is concerned about what appears to be an endorsement of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) position on the issue of boundary changes by the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

A Labour Party statement on Wednesday is also questioning how the same contents of a purported press release issued from the offices of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Tuesday of this week, were disclosed since last week Saturday on WINNFM’s Inside the News by the Chairman of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Mr. Sydney Osborne while key leaders of the Evangelical Association and the Christian Council remained unaware of the statement’s release.

“The nation must question the true motivation as it appears that high ranking members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who have deep allegiances to the Peoples Action Movement (PAM), may be using the Chamber to advance their own pro-PAM agenda,” said the statement.

The Labour Party said the Chamber statement also reflects an unhealthy pre-occupation with the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party in that while neither the Concerned Citizens’ Movement nor the Nevis Reformation Party had signed the Code as of November 10, 2009, this was not mentioned in the statement.

“While everyone respects the right of all persons to support the party of their choice, the political impartiality of signatory organizations must be beyond reproach. Whatever his private allegiances, therefore, it is highly inappropriate for the Chamber president to publicly and brazenly demonstrate his unabashed allegiance to the leader to the People’s Action Movement,” said the Labour Party statement.

The Labour Party said it welcomes the recommendations of all citizens and all organizations on all matters.

As far as boundary changes are concerned, however, the duly elected Government of St. Kitts & Nevis intends to adhere to the clear guidance provided in the 107-page ruling issued by the Court, and the clear requirements of the Constitution.