PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament Maurice Lake said on Tuesday that the new majority coalition can address the issue of electoral reform.
“Electoral reform is a process, but we can address this within the coming months. The main point is to better define Article 59, so we don't have this happening again. Also the matter of ship jumping is something to be addressed.
“However, in the given situation it was time to take a stand. Even so I would be the first to champion for changing the articles in question, because I believe as a team we can accomplish many changes in the coming months before the September 26 elections.”
In commenting on Governor Eugene Holiday’s decision to sign the national decree submitted by the incumbent government, which moves the date of elections too, Lake said based on the Constitution, Holiday “should have stuck to his first decision” after there was a vote of no confidence by a majority of elected representatives against the Gumbs Cabinet.
“The Marcel Gumbs Cabinet should have made their positions available, period! The Gumb's Cabinet has made history by not acknowledging Article 32.2 of the Constitution and holding the Country hostage for one and a half months which is disrespectful to the people’s intelligence and putting the Governor in such an awkward position.”
Lake said, there is nothing wrong with the Constitution other than the fact that “it was made for grown-ups and leaders with integrity and it must be respected at all times.”
“The Coalition of Eight would address electoral reform together as a team as soon as possible, along with balancing the budget. But my main focus right now is getting back to basics by creating work and putting our people first. We need to get back to basics by instilling trust, integrity, teamwork, unity and working together as one people to take St. Maarten to another level. It will take some time but, we needed to take a stand to change the current situation for the better of the people of St. Maarten,” Lake noted.
