By Caribbean News Global contributor
BASSETERRE, St Kitts – Leader of the opposition in St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Denzil L. Douglas confirmed Friday that he will not seek re-election as the political leader of the 89-year-old St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) at next month’s Annual National Conference. However, he confirmed that he will continue to represent the residents of St Christopher 6 and remain the leader of the opposition in the parliament of St Kitts and Nevis.
This historic conference held under the theme “Forward Together”, falls just weeks before the Party’s 90th Anniversary celebration, commencing January 1, 2022.
It has been a long journey post the 2015 election, and the SKNLP has proven its commitment to its members and supporters to rebrand, expand and be more inclusive; as it will see not only the expansion of the national executive but the election of a new party leader from amongst three potential leaders
Dr Douglas confirmed that three officials of the SKNLP national executive, Dr Geoffrey Hanley, member of parliament for St Christopher 1 (East Basseterre), Konris Maynard, a former member of parliament and caretaker of St Christopher 3 (West Basseterre) and Dr Terrance Drew, party chairman and caretaker, St Christopher 8, will seek the nod of the delegates to become the next SKNLP national political leader.
Dr Douglas said the delegates in addition to choosing a new national political leader will also elect two new deputy political leaders, a national chairman, and three vice-chairs among the new executive to serve for a two-year term in accordance with the amended constitution ratified at a special conference convened in May this year.
Dr Douglas was first elected as political leader at a national conference in 1989 following his election as the parliamentary representative for St Christopher 6 and was at the helm of labour-led federal governments as prime minister from 1995-2015.
