PM Timothy Harris’ government denies Labour Party use of community centers

October 31, 2017 in National

The opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has accused the Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris of “tyranny and dictatorship” after it was denied use of the federation’s Community Centers.

“Last week, Dr. Vance Gilbert made an application to use the Community Centre in Lodge Village. He was told that the application would be approved as per usual. When he went to collect the letter of authorization to use the centre, he was told by Mrs. Ann Wigley that the Community Centers are no longer available,” said Opposition Senator in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Hon. Nigel Carty.

He is of the view that denial to hold meeting in the community centers follows a highly successful meeting in the Sandy Point Community in the area.

“(Deputy Prime Minister) Shawn Richards and (Prime Minister) Timothy Harris have now put in place a policy to block non-supporters from using the community centres throughout St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Carty in a statement.

“While Timothy Harris was in opposition, community centres were made accessible to him and his opposition colleagues to conduct public political meetings,” said Carty.

In 2014, the Team Unity officials held a series of meetings dubbed “Team Unity Listening Tour.”

The first meeting was held on May 6th 2014 at the New Town Community Center in East Basseterre, the St. Johnston Community Center in West Basseterre on 9th May 2014; the Edgar Gilbert Sports Complex on May 15th; the Conaree Community Center on June 1st and the Challengers Community Center on June 5th.

Several community centers were constructed by the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party during its near 20 years in office.