| PM Douglas Cans Minister Harris, Reshuffles Cabinet |
| By LK Hewlett |
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Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris |
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Jan. 26 -- Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has fired Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris as a government Minister.
The conflict between the Prime Minister and one of his senior government Ministers came to a head last night (Jan 25) when Dr. Douglas announced he had revoked Dr. Harris’ appointment as a Cabinet Minister and disbursed his portfolio.
“I have, today, asked His Excellency the Governor General to revoke the appointment of the Honourable Timothy Harris as a Minister of Government and he has acted accordingly, in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution,” he said.
According to the Nation’s Leader, Dr. Harris’ opposition to recent government bills came about not for the altruistic reasons the Minister pointed out in parliament but because he wanted to be named Prime Minister.
“Based on my interaction with the Senior Minister Harris in recent months, I have formed the view that the Senior Minister will not participate meaningfully in the Government unless he is appointed Prime Minister,” said the PM. He had made it clear on Tuesday that he would not be handing over the Prime Ministership to Dr. Harris or anyone else unless the people who voted for him and elected him leader of the Labour party so indicated.
PM Douglas pointed out that Dr. Harris had opposed government initiatives including the recently debated Increase of Senators Bill and claimed the Senior Minister also intended to vote against the Budget. Most importantly, however, he said Dr. Harris was likely to vote in favor of the Opposition’s motion of No Confidence in the Government, which if it succeeds, would result in Dr. Douglas having to resign his post or call an election.
“Senior Minister Harris has refused to support the Government sponsored “St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Limited (Vesting of Certain Land) Act”; he has indicated to the Cabinet and to the entire country that he will not support the Government-sponsored Senators (Increased of Number) Bill 2012; he has consistently refused to confirm to the Cabinet that he will support the Budget when it comes before Parliament for approval; and he has refused to confirm to Cabinet that he will vote against a Motion of No Confidence in the Government of which he is a Senior Minister.”
Dr. Douglas said this opposition could become “disruptive to the smooth flow of government business” as Dr. Harris’ “political activity in the wider community” is aimed at undermining the government.
With regard Dr. Harris’ portfolio, the Prime Minister assumed responsibility for Constituency Empowerment, Hon. Patrice Nisbett was assigned responsibility for International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Hence, and Senator Hon. Nigel Carty was assigned Agriculture, Marine Resources and Cooperatives.
A Special Convention of the Labour Party is to be convened in the near future to oust Dr. Harris as Party Chairman and if last night’s turn of events is any indication, an attempt might be made to have Dr. Harris booted from the party completely.
The National Assembly is scheduled to resume next Tuesday (Jan 29) and as an elected parliamentarian for Constituency #7 it is left to be seen if Dr. Harris will be relegated to the Opposition benches. |
