1. Document Name · The need to elevate Caribbean politics.
Elevate Caribbean politics
'The Opposition party, the Peoples Action Movement (PAM), has been the
Opposition for fifteen years and they reflect the characteristics typical of
an Opposition Party in the Eastern Caribbean. In this region, the term
“Opposition” is interpreted by the losing party literally. The believe that
they must oppose everything and every program that the government
introduces ...'
Beginning with the advent of Associate Statehood for former British Colonies, those colonies prepared
for independence from Britain and by 1978 the era of political independence for Caribbean countries
had begun.
That period has seen a very peaceful and uneventful democratic election process and except for the
disaster in Grenada 1983, elections have been a relatively democratic process and political parties have
been elected time after time with relatively little or no plans for managing the country and its resources.
Political parties, especially those in Opposition, do not seem to manifest any accountability of
preparedness for managing the country. Nowhere is that more evident in this era than in the tiny nation
state of St Kitts/Nevis where national elections are forthcoming.
The current government of St Kitts/Nevis is being administered by the St Kitts/Nevis Labour Party.
They have managed the country for the past fifteen years and their record from all social and economic
international indices is good.
That government was successful in converting a dying and bankrupt sugar industry into a viable tourist
industry. The Opposition party, the Peoples Action Movement (PAM), has been the Opposition for the
same 15 years and they reflect the characteristics typical of an Opposition Party in the Eastern
Caribbean.
In this region, the term “Opposition” is interpreted by the losing party literally. The believe that they
must oppose everything and every program that the government introduces so it doesn’t matter whether
the Government cuts taxes, introduces free education or bolster the economy – the Opposition Party
will oppose vehemently and vociferously.
What is most interesting about this Opposition in St. Kitts is not only that they have been unable to win
an election in fifteen years, they are now running their campaign on a slogan of “Time To Change”.

2. The slogan appears to be the sum total of their imagination and campaign. A review of their party’s
newspaper and website is filled with rhetoric, clichés, slogans and verbal diatribes against members of
the government.
• Douglas has no way to go but out
• A letter referring to government officials as rats and criminals
• Another diatribe about “Labourmatics” (Is that a word?) and Legal Percentages
• “PAMS On The Road To Victory Rally A Truly Historic Event
To be fair, there is an article entitled “A Program For Growth and Development” by someone named
Harris, who calls himself an “economist”.
He proceeds to list six bullet-points essentially saying nothing. A bullet list of sound and fury
signifying nothing. Essentially, there it is - A political party preparing for a national election running on
a platform of insults, rhetoric and wishful thinking. Obviously Caribbean political parties, need to
elevate standards for managing campaigns in the region.
TO reiterate. PAM presents no detailed programmes or policies that can be tested on how they plan to
bring economic development to their country.
There are vague references to foreigners and how “we” should develop our hotel industry. Is PAM anti-
investment? We don’t know because they have no platform.
In effect the response of the PAM to the Labour Party’s fifteen years of stewardship is to run on a
slogan “It’s Time For Change”. We can only hope that the people of St. Kitts Nevis will demand more
than a slogan from those wishing to lead their country.
A further wish is that Opposition parties in the Caribbean begin to develop alternative programmes for
success instead of running on someone elses discarded slogans.
Sage • Port Royal