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May 20th
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Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams comments on Political Developments --- “We do not have the luxury to draw political divides across our country”.

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swescotwilliams22072011Since last week's fall of the UP/DP Government of St. Maarten which was installed on October 10th 2010, The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams last night commented on the political uncertainty and speculation which has been occurring on the island.

"That the UP/DP government had lost its majority support became evident from a declaration to that effect signed on April 28th, 2012 by the now former UP Parliamentarian Mr. Romain Laville and Independent member of Parliament Mr. Patrick Illidge. This declaration was signed in collaboration with the N.A. faction and Independent Member of Parliament Mr. Frans Richardson which, in essence, commanded a majority of 8 seats in the Parliament of St. Maarten" commented the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister continued by stating that left in the middle were the factions of the UP with five seats and the DP with two seats. "Following communications by the Members of Parliament who jointly represented 8 seats, talks were formally initiated with the Democratic Party about broadening the base of support for the next government of St. Maarten. That broadening of support was one option available to the Democratic Party, the other being the Democratic Party choosing to take its two current seats and joining the UP in the opposition benches,"

Wescot-Williams also stated that it is public knowledge by now that the Democratic Party, strengthened by the support of its membership and the overall public sentiment, chose to be part of the next coalition consisting of the NA and Independent Members Laville, Richardson and Illidge.

"Based on the UP/DP governing program and the actions of the UP/DP government for the past 19 months, the focal points for the Democratic Party have been shown to be a people-oriented, strong and transparent government with an emphasis on checks and balances and sustainable development. The process may have been been slower than we might have wanted but it was durable. How these goals are to be pursued in the new political reality remains a point of discussion with the new partners forming the government of St. Maarten," continued the Prime Minister.

"As Prime Minister of this country and leader of the Democratic Party it is my pledge that as St. Maarten goes into this new week, when it is expected that I will tender the resignation of the UP/DP cabinet and enter into formal discussions regarding the next government for our country St. Maarten, that we who have taken the responsibility of governing must now truly lead by example, an example of unity amongst ALL of our people. While politics will be politics, it is for the sake of all of our people that we do not have the luxury to draw political divides across our country. This is a first for country St. Maarten and I believe it is my duty, especially at this present moment, to ensure that the foundation that is laid for future generations and young people who have political aspirations is a strong and solid one," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister continued by stating that although the basic laws that govern our electoral and political systems are in place, many regulations as a result of these laws are yet to be devised. The Prime Minister also believes that some of these laws need to be amended, allowing St. Maarten to grow and find its own way.
"There has also been some speculation about intermittent elections, which according to our constitution would take place if the parliament is dissolved. While the decision to dissolve parliament rests with government, it should be in my opinion a last resort. Furthermore, if certain laws are not amended or further worked out, dissolving Parliament and calling for new elections will only be a solution until the next political disagreement," concluded Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.

Last Updated ( Monday, 07 May 2012 03:46 )  
Comments (13)
  • The Godfather
    avatar

    What a crap of sh!t!! You really want me to believe you guys LOVE ALL of our people and CARE SOO much for our best interest?? If so, give yourself a pay cut, if you put country above self! First law that need to be changed, you as PM can only serve 4 years in office -1 term, not 2. Second law, seats belong to the party, not to individuals. Third law, a run-off system - one government rule, ONE winner - ONE loser - NO possibility of any coalition government. That will rid us of these puppets who think they looking out for WE!

    Sorry but, I Got No Love for anyone who privately/publicly steal from WE THE PEOPLE!!

  • Hold up one minute!!!!!
    avatar

    @ "The Godfather"

    True words.


    Taken from the "Daily Herald"

    Quote
    "Six vertical windmills installed as Harbour ‘Go Green’ project starts .
    Monday, 07 May 2012 00:41
    Unquote.

    LOL.
    Guess Theo showing us what he has been doing to get the job done. I firmly believe that GEBE would be next in line. One way or another he will profit from it, so less fuel income but increase in wind/solar income. One way or another, he has a vision ... and making sure nobody could take the honors. ;-)

  • EXPLANATION
    avatar

    IT IS CONFUSING

    IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS FALLEN, HOW COME LIFE STILL CONTINUES AS IF NOTHING WENT DOWN.

    I MIGHT BE NOT A PRINCETON, OR ERASMUS GRADUATE
    BUT I WOULD LIKE THE NEW GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED, IF THERE IS ONE.

    CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT OUR YOUTH IS THINKING?

  • shooz
    avatar

    It is not a luxury to have political divides, it is a RIGHT in a democracy......I'm just saying....

  • Macky rodillios
    avatar

    Vision....vision...vision. Theo was in charge os several important functions. And he delivered on those portefolio's. Give the man his due. When I see the amount of work this one man visionary has done, I would vote for him tomorrow again. The rest of the government have no vision. UP all the way. TO had traitors on board and we will show them in the next election.

  • Who is the donkey?
    avatar

    Sarah, your speeches are always 10 years late....................

  • exceptionallyperfect
    avatar

    I said it once and I will say it again:
    We need a government that thinks as a team, runs like a team and finishes as a team.

    At the moment, we have a country that is being runned with an "Island Territory of Sint Maarten"-mentality. No one listens to anyone and everyone going in their own direction. If the top is lost then it stands to reason....that the bottom is also struggling.

    If the bottom does not know in which direction the top is going and the bottom is responsible to execute the orders from the top.....this country has a serious problem.

    Be a team at the top but pull the bottom along with you....Team Government Sint Maarten.

  • mr justice
    avatar

    To the new ministers the people are suffering in this island. we work for minimun wages about 1500 guilders a month we have children in school,think small tank of gas fls 55. gebe about fls 380 light and water food every week the price going up.No money by the 15 of the month.and know the tax man saying you owe taxes for the year 2000 and giving you 10 months to pay it off. Do you think this is right. how can we live this way so i am begging this new government look after your people first forget about those big million dollars project, put the people first and the big projects after.

  • EXPLANATION
    avatar

    @ MACKY
    YOU SOUND TOO QUACKY.........

    VISION IS FOR ALL YOUR PEOPLE, NOT A FEW CHOSEN.

    THEO COULD HAVE BEEN GOOD, IF HE CONSIDERED,
    THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR, AND THAT IS WHERE IT WENT WRONG.

    WE HAVE TRAITORS IN OUR FAMILIES,
    SO I DO HOPE YOU KNOW,
    YOU WILL FIND THEM IN CHURCH
    AND IN POLITICS.

  • NEXGEN
    avatar

    Change the constitution
    The Top 15 vote getters should go to parliament regardless of the party they come from. Then its up to them to become ministers or not. If they become ministers that the next in line based on votes get to go it parliament. No more party seats or party votes .

  • Einstein
    avatar

    What price principles?

  • Land of Salt
    avatar

    @ Wait a Minute: Theo has no vision at all, for if he did we would not be in the predicament that we are in today. He just want people to say, and of course the tourist that "Theo did this" It is all about him, and not the people of SINT MAARTEN. Everything he does is always in his own benefit. They are to leave office, and what happens, they go ahead and sign off on all advices that they had on hold for whatever reason. A stop was put on hiring, but yet the Japanese man signed off documents. Locals who had to get hired since March he had pending on his desk for whatever reason. Now all of a sudden, all of them, the Three Musketeers Theo, Frankie and Hiro could sign off everything on there desk.
    Most of us are afraid to go to hell, but hell is right here, and Theo is worse than the DEVIL. He makes the devil looks like a fool. God does not like ugly.

  • Land of Salt
    avatar

    @explanation: Everyone cannot be a leader. Theo wanted to be a leader, therefore he should have a vision, not for self, but for the country and its people. Without a vision the people will perish, which is already happening. No man is an island. Once we understand that, we will be able to move forward.

    It is important for everyone whom the people have elected, especially the Leader/PM to have Good Governance, Integrity, and Transparency. These 3 go hand in hand. We have to stop looking at color when we are governing, and look at what is best for the country Sint Maarten and its people.

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