For immediate release: June 17, 2021
Contact: 726-0081
The United Progressive Party (UPP) strongly disagrees with the extension of the State of Emergency by the Gaston Browne Administration.
A State of Emergency is defined as “a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures in order to regain control.”
This definition forces us to ask: What is the national danger that necessitates an extension?
What disaster is there when, only today, June 17, the Ministry of Health jubilantly declared that there are no new cases of COVID-19, no hospitalizations, and no current infections? What disaster when virtually all social and economic activities have resumed?
The section of the definition that is applicable here is Government’s intention “to regain control.” However, with respect to this 90-day extension, the UPP would amend it to read “retain control.”
It is the Party’s view that the Cabinet’s decision to extend the State of Emergency until the end of September 2021 is nothing but a demonstration of its political unease and its fear of a disaffected population.
Pensioners are dissatisfied and angry, as are the former LIAT workers and the unemployed and under-employed tourism-sector workers. Immigrants feel exploited by the steep rise in work-permit and other fees.
Householders are disgusted with the irregular water situation and the unreliable electricity service. Farmers are ready to throw in the shovel and too many small businesses have already thrown in the towel.
And, through it all, meaningful assistance from this Administration is markedly absent or pitifully inadequate.
These are the reasons – the true reasons – for the extension of the State of Emergency. The suppression of the people’s civil liberties, as a General Election nears, and the intention of using State power to intimidate lie at the root of this undemocratic decision.
The UPP has said, repeatedly, that the provisions of the Public Health Act are sufficient authority to impose Regulations, provisions and protocols for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the existing legislation!
If the Government is serious about rebuilding confidence in the economy and, in particular, the tourism industry, an extension of the State of Emergency is not the way to go.
The UPP does not support it and, in fact, condemns the extension as political repression and cowardice.
