BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (MMS-SKN) — In answering many, the leader of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon Dr Terrance Drew, stated on Monday, May 6 that his party and the St. Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union are Siamese twins.
“On this Labour Day, the question is asked why Labour (Party) leads on Labour Day,” observed Prime Minister Dr Drew as he addressed hundreds of workers at the Patsy Allers Field in West Basseterre at the end of the Labour Day March 2024 held earlier in the day, which saw the workers march through the streets of Basseterre, covering three constituencies.
The march which had been held under the ‘Live, Work, Prosper: Together’ saw the workers assembling at the Patsy Allers Field where they were entertained by among others, Gospel artiste Bridget Blucher, Kollision Band, EK the Real Right, Mix Klusiv Entertainment, and, Tombstone International.
“Labour is strong, and Labour will always be here to represent you, the good people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said the Honourable Prime Minister. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, represented today by its General Secretary Comrade Precious Mills for partnering with its Siamese twin, the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party. They cannot separate ever – the Union from the Party. We have been one since in the 1940s, and we will continue to be one way into the future.”
All the Labour Party constituency representatives, Hon Dr Terrance Drew (C#8), the Hon Dr Geoffrey Hanley (C#1), the Hon Konris Maynard (C#3), the Rt. Hon Denzil Douglas (C#6), the Hon Marsha Henderson (C#2), the Hon Samal Duggins (C#4) and caretakers, His Excellency Kenny Douglas (C#5) and His Excellency Leon Natta-Nelson (C#7), assembled on the stage to hail the assembled workers before the start of the march.
They were joined on stage by the Attorney General the Hon Garth Wilkin, and Ministers the Hon Joyelle Clarke, and the Hon Isalean Phillip.
The march, which was accompanied by the playing of music as the workers were led by Labour Pom-Pom Girls and the St. Peter’s Actors, started at lower Cunningham Street, instead of Wigley Avenue and on to Cayon Street, as students at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) were sitting their exams.
Members of the St. Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union, led by President Mr Sydney Bridgewater, and Secretary General, Ms Precious Mills, walked ahead of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party team led by its leader, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Terrance Drew.
After Cunningham Street, they joined Central Street, walked down Fort Street, and had a brief stop at the Circus, before they moved on to Bank Street, across to South Independence Square Street, and on to George Street. They turned north on Sandown Road, and back west on Pond Road, back into Cayon Street, to Wigley Avenue, and back into Patsy Allers field.
They addressed cheering spectators lined up along the streets, detailing developmental milestones achieved by the Labour Party in St. Kitts and Nevis. As they walked through McKnight, Prime Minister Drew made his address in Spanish, while His Excellency Kenny Douglas also switched to Spanish when they got to New Town.
Back to the Patsy Allers Field, with the Hon Konris Maynard as the Master of Ceremonies, the workers were first addressed by the Secretary General of the St. Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union, Ms Precious Mills. After her address, the Leader of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, Prime Minister the Hon Terrance Drew, delivered his address.
“Comrades, the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party has worked tirelessly hard on your behalf,” reported the Prime Minister. “We have not relented in working on your behalf. Because of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party today you have democracy – you can vote because of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party.”
Other achievements of the Labour Party that he mentioned included land ownership, freedom to access any beaches one desires in St. Kitts and Nevis, the establishment of Social Security, free secondary education, and above all, independence for St. Kitts and Nevis. He noted that everything necessary to build the country came as a result of the labour movement, and advised that their work on behalf of the people continues.
“For this Labour Day and in under two years of being back in office, look at what we have done for you, the workers of St. Kitts and Nevis, and your children,” said the Prime Minister. “We haven’t left your children out, we haven’t left those who are retired out, because this is a movement that takes care of people before you are born until you are sent back to your Creator. That is what this movement is about. That is why it is called a movement because we move you all through your life. We move you from stage to stage, improving and bettering your living conditions.”
After the party leader’s address, Master of Ceremonies, the Hon Konris Maynard welcomed to the stage and introduced the newly crowned Miss Labour 2024, Makalia Tucker, who hails from Constituency Number Three (West Basseterre) which he represents in Parliament.