It was an honour to serve Barnwell

SHIRLAN ‘ZITA’ Barnwell, who had her appointment as an Opposition senator revoked last Friday, has said it was an honour to serve in that capacity.

“It was indeed a pleasure and an honour to serve the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines through the New Democratic Party (NDP). I would be ever grateful to the Honourable Arnhim Eustace for his wisdom and courage for appointing me as Senator in December 2015. I am also grateful to Dr Friday for his courage to extend my appointment under his leadership for the last two years,” Barnwell said in a release issued Monday night.

“My development work and interests, especially with respect to advancing the agenda involving the protection of the rights of women and children will most certainly continue, because there is absolutely no progressive development agenda without the protection of women’s rights and the full inclusion of women at every level of our society.

“Finally, I must also say a very hearty thank you to all of my sisters and brothers in St Vincent and across the world who continue to stand in solidarity. Ever grateful,” Barnwell said.

She has been replaced by Israel Bruce, who Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday said on Monday, will contest the South Central Windward seat for the NDP in the next general elections.

Friday said that last Friday, January 18, by letter, he advised His Excellency the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne in accordance with section 28 of the Constitution to appoint Bruce as Senator and similarly, in accordance with Section 29 of the Constitution, to revoke the appointment of Zita Barnwell.

Under the Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines, two senators in the House are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

“She served well in Parliament and did her duty to the Opposition and the people of our country. As I told her in our meeting last Wednesday, I am very grateful for her service and look forward to her continuing work on behalf of the NDP and the people of SVG in other ways in the future,” the NDP President said.

“Mr Israel Bruce will also be an effective presence in Parliament. He is a lawyer and has been active in public affairs for all his life. He was a teacher, a former President of the National Youth Council and vice-president

of the Caribbean Federation of Youth. He served the Party as Public Relations Officer and now has been selected as candidate for South Central Windward in the next general elections. He organizes and sponsors many activities such as sporting competition and teams in his area. Mr Bruce brings this rich history of public service to the House. He will continue to serve the people of this country and of his constituency of South Central Windward with vigour and good effect. My colleagues and I am looking forward to working with him in Parliament and I know he relishes the opportunity to serve our country in the Parliament,” Friday said.