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Chief Minister faces challenge |
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Sunday, 26 October 2008 |
BRADES – Montserrat’s Chief Minister Dr Lowell Lewis faces the most serious challenge to his leadership since taking over the island’s top political post following general elections in June 2006.
Opposition Leader David Brandt has filed a motion of no confidence in Dr Lewis’ administration, eight months after the Chief Minister fired two ministers in his coalition government and made an accommodation with the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) to stay in office.
In a statement on Monday, Brandt, who is a former Chief Minister of this British Overseas Territory, confirmed that he had submitted the motion to the Clerk of the Legislative Council last Friday.
He also called on Dr. Lewis to step down, saying that his government has been one of failure.
“The people of Montserrat are suffering more hardship now than ever before in recent history and I am convinced that if we continue under the leadership of the Honourable Dr. Lowell Lewis things could only get worse,” Brandt said in his statement.
However, the former chief minister made it clear that he had no desire to replace Dr Lewis or even to become a government minister should his motion be successfully debated.
He said his interest was ensuring that government meets the needs of Montserratians. He also vowed to remain “a watch dog for the poor, the down pressed and those who cannot speak for themselves”.
“What I want is to have a Government that provides jobs, lower the cost of living, improve our healthcare, improve our education system, provide reliable and affordable transportation in and out of Montserrat,” he said.
The motion is scheduled to be debated at a special sitting of the Legislative Council on November 7.
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