By: Karen ‘Lioness’ Allen
Freelance Journalist
Responding to an article entitled ‘What was the trigger for Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis?’, Dr. Lewis said:
My letter of 12th June 2006 to HE The Governor, Mr. Peter Waterworth, clearly stated the following:-
“It was also quite clear during discussions at Executive Council yesterday, that there is limited support for the current actions being taken by the Ministry of Finance. It is my belief that at this critical time, the people of Montserrat should have a say in who manages the country. I believe that my colleagues in Government should have the mandate of the people, if they want to determine the future of this country.”
With this letter, I signaled to the Governor, that my cabinet was not agreed on fiscal policy at a critical time and that I was not prepared to hand over total control to the MCAP team, or to attempt to form another coalition with the existing legislators.
The actions I proposed to take as Minister of Finance in relation to ensuring good management at the St. Patrick’s Credit Union, and dealing with the Government of Montserrat budget deficit, were not supported.
The decisions required at this time, will all be politically unpopular, and require a stable, united government, that has a good working relationship with the United Kingdom.
This was indeed the trigger for the dissolution of the Legislative Council, as the alternative action of dismissing a minister, would not have created a stable Government and ultimately result in the same outcome, an early general election.
My subsequent letter to HE the Governor on 13th June 2009, in which I directed the revocation of the ministerial appointments of Mrs. Cassell-Sealy and Mr. Reuben Meade, stated:- “I now must make additional requests to ensure the smooth running of the business of Montserrat.”
I also went on to state:- “I take this action, so that I can effectively deal with concerns about conflicts of interest and other pending investigations.”
This referred to pending further investigation of the operations of the St. Patrick’s Credit Union during the time the Mrs. Cassell-Sealy was Managing Director, and to concerns about the failure of Mr. Reuben Meade to take the necessary steps to conclude his separation from a company that had an ongoing contract with the Government of Montserrat, despite making such a public declaration in Parliament.
Mr. Editor, I trust that the information in this letter provides adequate explanation of my calling for early general elections. I will not at this time comment on Mr. Gerald’s opinions of my relationship with some previous members of the Montserrat Democratic Party and my style of leadership, other than to state that all my decisions have been based on what was considered by the majority of my supporters, to be in the best interest of the people of Montserrat….
Not only did Chief Minister Lowell Lewis send this letter to the Editor of the Montserrat Reporter, he also sent a copy to HE the Governor and Mr. Claude Gerald.
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