In an act of astonishing political bravery and strong leadership, the Prime Minister, Dr Denzil Douglas, faced his critics at Friday’s historic Labour Party Super Rally. After Etana had performed a stunning rendition of ‘Roots’ as a dedication to the youth of St Kitts, the PM took to the stage, alone in front of a 10,000-strong audience. The PM, microphone in hand, calmly explained that he wanted to answer some of the difficult questions that the Federation is facing. He wanted to stand in front of his people and answer their concerns himself, without the aid of a script or any speaker notes. What followed had the audience gripped. The huge projection screen at the edge of the stage showed five people from the Federation talking directly to the PM. They each asked a question and the PM then gave his answer to the crowd. It was clear
that the PM had no knowledge of the questions he would be asked – this was simply a PM who was confident enough to face any question.
And these were not ‘soft’ questions. They ranged from what the PM was intending to do to solve the problem of violent gang crime on St Kitts, to why the PM had moved the federation’s economy from sugar to tourism. In each case, the crowd could be heard to take a sharp intake of breath. How would the PM answer? What would he say?… And in each case, the PM gave a serious and honest answer that seemed to impress and inspire his 10,000-strong audience. This was a moment of true political drama: a political leader inviting the tough questions. It is hard to think of any international statesman who has ever done this before. When so many politicians are accused of ‘smoke and mirrors’ – this was a remarkable occasion: a leader talking to his people candidly, alone and with no chance of dodging any issue or difficult subject. This was democracy at its purest. The final question was perhaps the most extraordinary. The questioner asked the PM directly whether he felt that he had served for long enough and should move aside. Again, there was a moment of stunned silence from the crowd. What a question to ask a Prime Minster. And how would Dr Douglas answer?… He asked the crowd what they thought; whether he should step aside… and 10,000 people shouted back with one voice that they wanted him to remain as leader of the party and the Federation. This was an unprecedented moment in the Federation’s politics and proved Dr Denzil Douglas to be a truly strong leader who is in touch with and accountable to his people.
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