BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 18TH 2013 (CUOPM) – The 1983 St. Kitts and Nevis Constitution given to the twin-island Federation by the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Administration of the Rt. Hon. Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds does not give a specific time when a Motion of No Confidence must be heard.
So states St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas during an interview on Issues with Clement “Juni” Liburd of Freedom 106.5 FM.
So let me say, that there is nothing untoward here. It is true that we are guided by what happens in other democracies, but this is an independent sovereign nation. And we are guided by our own Constitution and we are guided by own laws. The Constitution does not speak to when a Motion of No Confidence comes to Parliament, neither any of our laws indicate that there is a specific time in which to bring it,” Prime Minister Douglas pointed out.
During the interview Prime Minister Douglas, who is also Minister of Finance disclosed that the 2013 Budget will go to the National Assembly around April 9th 2013.
The Budget will come before the Vote of No Confidence. The vote of No Confidence that has been sent to the Clerk of the House, to be brought to Parliament is considered by the Government to be great importance, especially within the Westminster democratic system that we are living under. And as I have always said consistently, it will come,” said the Prime Minister.
Why it has not come as yet? I believe that the Speaker is seized with the important regulations that indicate that Government Business is also of highest priority and in our case the Budget for 2013(which) has not been brought to Parliament. It will come to Parliament around the 9th of April,” said Dr. Douglas.
By then, I believe, people would have a different picture, because after that Budget would have been passed, then of course one would expect the Motion of No Confidence to be brought to the House for debate and eventual voting,” said Dr. Douglas said.
We are a country that is guided by our constitution and by our laws. There is no rule in the House as well, that tell us when it should come. But the Government recognizing what has been convention in other jurisdictions, have indicated very clearly, that it will want the motion to come and I am sure that the Speaker is being guided by what he knows are the parameters that he has in order to bring the Motion of No Confidence,” Prime Minister Douglas told listeners.