Seasoned performers boycott PLP concert

“THE WRITING is on the wall” for embattled St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris and his People’s Labour Party (PLP) when prominent local entertainers, vocalists and musicians recently boycotted the ruling party’s public concert.

“The Prime Minister has been disrespectful, unreasonable and deliberately selfish in his actions towards us for the past 20 months,” a prominent entertainer said, speaking on strict condition of anonymity.

The aggrieved entertainer continued: “We were all struggling and suffering for the past 20 months and he ensured that we were unable to practice or even showcase our craft as entertainers and musicians were prevented from doing anything. What the Prime Minister has deliberately failed to understand is that we all have families to take care of, and not being able to earn or even practice during the past 20 months placed significant stress and challenges on us.”

www.aroundtheregions.com learnt that while the event attracted a large following based on the pre-event advertising, several persons who were slated to take the stage refused to perform while others opted to stay away.

Harris, currently battling for political survival, was forced to call early polls after six of his coalition party ministers jumped ship, plunging the 53,000-population dual island nation, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, into political crisis.

“Like the ministers earlier this year, we have no confidence in PM Harris and frankly, if he hasn’t seen himself as the outgoing PM then something is terribly wrong. I have learnt that you can do as much as you like but not as long as you like because you know what? People will not tolerate it for too long,” a disappointed patron emphasised.

The detestable reputation for discriminating and victimising perceived non-supporters has clung to Harris, and his political foes and many ordinary citizens cite this major character flaw for the recent successful No Confidence Motion (NCM) against him.

“It is for this very reason that many of us (entertainers and musicians) have decided that we will not support his party or him for government, even though he has offered us an opportunity to make some money. This is because we know it’s all part of his election gimmick and we have had enough,” a musician declared.

Many were disappointed with the non-appearance of many of the top artistes but commiserated with the entertainers.

“I mean the PM was wrong as he treated these and others badly using COVID as an excuse to penalise and/or victimise many, so personally I can understand their positions even though I was looking out to see many of my favourite acts,” one obviously female said.

Another stressed that the demonstration by the entertainers and musicians is a powerful message that was sent to the government that the Federation is no longer prepared to tolerate them any longer.

Some stressed with elections some two weeks away, the writing is on the wall for the Harris and his PLP.

“We will not be used for political points as we have a skill. We are talented, and if Dr. Harris cannot or refuses to acknowledge that, then we will use our collective voice in boycotting events organised by him and his party. This isn’t time for his petty and callous actions anymore,” another entertainer warned.