BASSETERRE, St Kitts – Leader of the opposition, Dr Denzil L Douglas in his Christmas message told the nation that his recent announcements regarding the bountiful package of hope, compassion, and relief that the NEXTGEN SKN team intends to bring to the people after the 2020 general elections will herald a new dispensation.
“This package aims to ease the burdens of those families that are breaking under the burden of a high cost of living as well as to stimulate our small businesses and to create a new class of entrepreneurs. This is my way of saying “thank you” because “it is all about you,” the beloved people of St Kitts and Nevis. This is my way of doing my part in bringing joy and peace to the people of St Kitts and Nevis so that you might all abound in hope, opportunity, and prosperity, as we face the dawning of the new iconic year 2020,” said Dr Douglas.
Dr Douglas said the St Kitts-Nevis labour party of which he is the national political leader, “remains devoted to serving the wonderful people of our Federation, both those resident here and in the diaspora. The NextGen SKN team and I are deeply committed to serving you with excellence and honour; compassion and commitment; competence and effective governance.”
In his Christmas message, Dr Douglas noted that Christmas is a time to celebrate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and his message of enduring love, compassion, courage and empathy; and that it is his sincere prayer that as the people go about the festivities of the season they will all seek to exhibit these virtues in their interactions with friends, family, neighbours and even strangers.
“Love, for our fellow men and compatriots. Compassion, for those in need, such as the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the poor. Courage, to stand up in the face of injustice and the abuses of those to whom we have entrusted position and power. Empathy, for those experiencing tremendous difficulty in these hard times – whether it is those struggling to find an affordable place to call home; or those who have to choose between buying food or paying a utility bill or filling their prescriptions,” Dr Douglas said.
He expressed the view that “too many of our countrymen and women are faced with big problems and need solutions now” and used the opportunity to ask nationals, residents, and visitors to pause amidst the family gatherings, exchange of gifts, baking, cleaning, shopping, carnival and feasting “to be our brother’s neighbour and sister’s keeper and extend a helping hand, a warm plate of food or some other act of kindness to those around us who are in need.”
The former prime minister extended season’s greetings to all of his dear friends and family, most especially the wonderful people of Newton Ground, St Paul’s, Dieppe Bay, Parsons, Saddlers and Harris’ and warmest felicitations to all the citizens of the Federation living at home or within the diaspora.
“On behalf of my team and on my own behalf, I wish you all a wonderful, uplifting, and blessed Christmas 2019. May we have a wonderful and peaceful Carnival 2019-2020. May the New Year bring the hope, change, and relief that we all desire and deserve,” Dr Douglas said.
