PM Harris not following principles of Team Unity, says Premier Brantley

St Kitts and Nevis: Premier of Nevis and leader of Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) – Mark Brantley, addressed the Federation on April 20, 2022 (Wednesday) through the “On the Mark” show which is telecasted on the VON Radio, The Caribbean’s Power House.

During this address, Premier of Nevis slammed Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr Timothy Harris for not working according to the principles of “Team Unity”.

Premier Brantley stated that the Unity was formed after Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) faced defeat in the general elections 2015.

As stated by Brantley, three leaders – Vance Amory (Concerned Citizens Movement), Dr Timothy Harris (People’s Labour Party), and Shawn Richards (People’s Action Movement), joined hands to form Team Unity and later they won the trust of people of St Kitts and Nevis as they were sceptical.

Premier mentioned, “Unity was a greatest idea as three political parties, with different ideas, came together under an umbrella”.

Brantley while accusing PM Harris with deep regrets and broken hearts, stated, “When battle was hottest, night was darkest, and the enemy was strongest, leaders who were discarded fought shoulder to shoulder and I was not able to find leaders whom I trusted the most. They were having milk and honey”.

In the midst of the address, Mark Brantley played an old interview of Dr Harris in St Vincent and the Grenadians, which was telecasted eight (8) years ago. In the interview, PM Harris highlighted the bad-working of Douglas-administration and mentioned that his cabinet is dysfunctional.

He further said that currently same is happening with PM Harris-led administration and asked “Is we not hearing similar echoes”. He also asked, “Whose fault is now?”

“PM Harris, 8 years prior, promised that his administration would be different from the Douglas’ government, but something else is happening,” Premier said.

He further outlined that he has discussed his political frustrations internally but not publically because he don’t want to destroy Team Unity, being the architect.

He also clarified that he don’t has any personal issues with Prime Minister and he can work with any men with principles.

Brantley further accused PM Harris for postponing the discussion meeting again and again. He stated, “I and Shawn Richards wrote a letter to Prime Minister Harris to call an urgent meeting if he wants to save UNITY, but he didn’t reply and later said that he wasn’t well.” Three leaders came together and hosted meetings, which were failed.

Later, Brantley and Shawn wrote 6-page letter to PM Harris and shared their concerned. Both leaders also demanded to fulfil the concerns and calls to save Team Unity.

Premier Brantley also pointed out the distribution of funds generated by Citizenship by Investment Programme among both Federations. He stated, “We can pay tribute to the former Premier of Nevis, Vance Amory, by following the Charlestown Accord to distribute the CBI funds between both Federations”.

Furthermore, he remembered Vance Amory, who died on April 2, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.