Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris, believes that the recent legislation to impose two term limits on anyone holding the position of Prime Minister in his country, may become a model which other countries in the Caribbean are going to explore.
The minister made that statement during an exclusive interview with Dominica News Online (DNO) on Thursday.
The proposed legislation, which was brought before the St. Kitts and Nevis Parliament this week, stipulates two five-year terms of office for the Prime Minister in that country.
Under the Tenure of Office of Prime Minister Bill, 2015 “A person who is appointed Prime Minister under the Constitution shall, subject to subsection (2) of this section, hold office for a term of five years”; and “A person shall not be appointed to hold office as Prime Minister for more than two terms as prescribed by this section.”
Dr. Harris said, “As more countries see how it works and understand the imperative for a new approach to governance, that more and more, this is going to become a model which other countries are going to explore. We have taken the first step by bringing it to the Parliament for the first reading, and we are hoping to take it forward in the New Year.”
He continued, “We think it is a good matter for St Kitts and Nevis and certainly the countries within the region who would want to follow pattern, we will encourage that.”
Furthermore, he said that his government believes that it was necessary to bring new talents to the fore to deal with issues of succession planning which have been difficult for political parties.
“Usually what happens is that you have a leader continuing office, usually by the time he is rejected by the people, there is no successor immediately that would come and that haemorrhages political parties and organization,” Dr. Harris explained. “We believe that we have a bright pool of young people who are emerging and if the succession issue is handled, we will always have a fine cadre of people.”
He added, “More than that it broadens the quality of democracy where leaders know that they are going to be held accountable, where leaders more early, begin to think about their legacy. In our case we are proposing two terms…”
Dr. Harris is of the view that a two terms limit in respect to the Presidency in Guyana has contributed “to the level and the quality of democracy.”
“We have seen in Cuba with the coming of Raúl Castro, he himself has determined and advanced that two terms was enough,” he stated. “We are happy in St Kitts, in fact we have gone to the people of St Kitts before the elections and indicated that this was what the democracy needed for enhancing it, for taking it to the new level and for bringing more people forward into service.”
He said the decision is an important disciplining mechanism, “it is important for succession planning, it is important to ensure that by and large in the democracy, people feel that they will have opportunities to change leadership periodically, bring new ones with whom they are more comfortable.”
The power and purpose of SATAN and his IMPS is to oppress. But the Power of God sets FREE.
Skeritt will say as usual, “TO HELL WITH THE CONSTITUTION.”
I am in favor of a two term limit however there could be a flip side to this. The two term limit could intensify the level of corruption as Prime Ministers ,usually minister of finance could see the restriction as a means to acquire their wealth in two terms. So passport sales will go of the charts; Diplomatic status and passports will be sold like top ups; Villas will be built like bird nests; as for insider trading!!!
As for us in Dominica can you imagine the vet picking up from Skerrit and not hearing Tony voice lying. But then again a shameless and virulent character is sometimes unpredictable. In addition greed will make the shameless eat from the sewer.
As I mentioned in an earlier related article, NOT in Dominica!!! Dominicans voted overwhelmingly for our Divine and Ordained Supreme Leader and would like to see him as our Prime Minister for LIFE! Loyal, dedicated and faithful Labourites will ALWAYS be the majority on this beautiful Island, we and we alone can decide who our Prime Minister will be, and for us He will ALWAYS be the ordained Knight of the Most Holy Roman Catholic Church, the handsome and charismatic, beloved and blessed Supreme Leader, the right and honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt M. Skerrit of Vielle Case. Dr. Harris and others in the region must understand the uniqueness of Dominica and Dominicans. We are unique because our divine Supreme Leader is the ultimate leader. He is the best Prime Minister we have ever had in our history. His nature is Christ-like and compassionate. His leadership is above and beyond the regular leadership of man. He can NOT and will NOT be moved!
I think its a good idea. This is how it works in the US as well. It doesn’t mean the party cannot still win the next election it will just be a new PM. New blood, new ideas, new leadership. It is good for any country. When leaders stay in power too long they become inefficient because they feel they have all the time to do what needs to be done. They also start to think that the country is their father’s plantation and they are unchallenged in their leadership. So i think its a good idea. Other islands should follow.
Hey! this is not how it works in the US. The US is 2 4yr term – Unlike 2 5yr term.
It is worth a try. I am not stating that it is a bad idea.
Pertaining to new talents, this may produce new radical views and ideas which may not necessarily benefit the country, the people in general.
Will all the people be comfortable (whatever you mean) with any leader? As everyone has a preference for a Party, we do know that some may be and some may not be.
Anyway shoot ahead. You may get the mandate for your idea, wishes and wants. Good luck!
True talk Dr. Timothy Harris,
“We have seen in Cuba with the coming of Raúl Castro, he himself has determined and advanced that two terms was enough.”
He added, “More than that it broadens the quality of democracy where leaders know that they are going to be held accountable, where leaders more early, begin to think about their legacy. In our case we are proposing two terms…”
True talk Dr. Timothy Harris!!!
I will say it again. If Linton swears to do it, he has my vote next election (then again I’m asking for a promise from a politician). We know Skeritt will not do it while hoping to be there for another 15 years?
Change the mapwi type strategy, Keep pressure on, he just might, but don’t expect it to be retroactive.
if you listen, the maypwie is coming from tony, skerrit, mammie, ambassador A and the likes. the opposition cannot keep up the pressure when they have a speaker who do not adhere to the rules of parliament…. how is that good for fair representation…
Dominicans need to rise up and MAKE skerrit remove that lady, because she does not represent democracy but skerrit interest along with those idiots in his office..
Hmmm….why oh why is little St. Kitts so progressive?
Could it be their quality of leadership? No insecure young leader trying to make a name for himself? Could it be they actually put country first instead of politics to enable the country to thrive, whether or not they are at the helm?
Or perhaps they actually plan to live in their country after their political career and want to ensure their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren will only get better as time progresses.
Sadly, in Dominica our “leaders” are only concerned about draining the treasury as much possible before going off to bide their time in more developed countries. Hopefully it won’t take a violent revolt to bring about more sense and progress to our struggling island.
I believe that once elected a prime minister should serve for life. The queen is queen for life. Why not the prime minister? He would not have the pressure to campaign, the money to spend on elections etc. He could use all his energy to do good for the country.
This is why Dominica is doomed,fools like you are all set and get all your riches from Skerrit while the poor continue to suffer,but God is in control,He will deal with all the corruption and free the poor people of Dominica,it is coming.
Lol . so the queen and the pm is the same . I think you should go educate yourself . So if it is the same why we have a president . Lol
PM skerrit said he want to be P M for the next 50 years
He will be PM till he old and he will go Bermuda with all his wealth .
Try and tell that to mr Skerrit and his gullible supporters
when he cannot feel the wolves they will turn on him. time will tell.
We like to be first in everything in Dominica, I hope we will pass this as law in parliament soon
that move is in the populace intrest
I as a citizen of Dominica GIVE FULL SUPPORT to this piece of legislation Dr Harris. This is because in my country Dominica, an inept and lazy DLP government has been in office for 16 years, and quite frankly it has done more harm to the country than tropical storm Erika and Hurricane David combined. It is a crying shame and disgrace that a labour party in a poor country has decimated agriculture which was the livelihood of the poor.The country has no properly equipped hospital,no proper airport,manufacturing and FDI is the lowest in the OECS.What flourishes is a begging population,which will be Skerrits most damning legacy. LYING, STEALING AND CHEATING is the hallmark of many leaders. The economy is in tatters. Massive debt, but nothing visible on the ground to justify it! I endorse fully THE TWO TERM LEGISLATION 100%. If we had it long ago, Dominica would not have been teetering towards being a failed state!
Obviously, you did not understand what Dr. Harris was saying. In part “to impose two term limits on anyone holding the position of Prime Minister”. He did not say to a political party…idiot! It simply means that an individual can only be PM for two terms (10 yrs). Skerrit can only be PM for 10 years, but DLP can stay in power for as long as the electorate wants.
I bet there are people inside there with better ideas than skerrit. they cannot talk
Unless you have personally witnessed the goings-on as you have stated, you should refrain from making accusations and rash judgments.
By judging others, people are punished. Be careful with your words for they will return to you and haunt you as a form of punishment.
What you do not want for yourself, do not wish for others. You will be judged by your words which are obviously not ones of kindness. I visualize this judgment you are heaping on yourself could be extremely severe.