The Concerned Citizens’ Movement (CCM) party led by Honourable Mark A. G. Brantley, left, defeated the the Opposition Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) of Opposition Leader Joseph W. Parry, right, at the Nevis election on December 18, 2017. Photo: Internet Source

The Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) is part of Prime Minister of St Kitts Dr Timothy S. Harris' (in photo) led Team Unity coalition of three political parties that wrestled power from the Dr The Hon Denzel L. Douglas led Labour Party in 2015. Photo: VINO/File

Local political consultant Mr Julian Willock of the firm Advance Marketing and Professional Services, has offered congratulations to Honourable Mark A. G. Brantley on his elections victory in Nevis. Photo: VINO/File

It pitted the incumbent Concerned Citizens’ Movement (CCM) party of former Premier Vance W. Amory against the Opposition Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) of Opposition Leader Joseph W. Parry.

Leading up to the election of December 18, 2017, former Premier and Leader of the CCM Amory did not contest a seat in the Nevis Island Administration and was succeeded by Honourable Mark A. G. Brantley as Leader of the CCM. Mr Brantley led the party to an election victory yesterday, taking 4 out of 5 seats.

CCM landslide

In fact the CCM has increased its margin from 3 seats to 4 seats in the 5-seat House of Assembly, according to our newsroom's correspondent in St Kitts-Nevis.

The NRP was only able to maintain one seat. The CCM is part of Prime Minister Dr Timothy S. Harris' led Team Unity coalition of three political parties that wrestled power from the Dr The Hon Denzel L. Douglas led Labour Party in 2015.

The three parties in Team Unity Government of St Kitts-Nevis are the CCM, the People’s Action Movement and the People’s Labour Party.

Speaking exclusively this morning December 19, 2017 to Prime Minister Harris, the first foreign media he spoke to after the Nevis local elections, Hon Harris told Virgin Islands News Online “our CCM unity partner delivered a crushing defeat of the Douglas aligned NRP, vindicating that the federation government has delivered to the pleasure of the people.”

Dr Harris said: “I look forward to working with Honourable Brantley in his new capacity as the Hon Premier of Nevis.”

Prime Minister Harris has since declared today, December 19, 2017 a public holiday in Nevis to celebrate the landslide victory of the CCM.

The four of the CCM candidates elected are the Honourables Mark A. G. Brantley, Spencer Brand, Eric Evelyn, and Alexis Z. Jeffers.

Opposition Leader Hon Parry of the NRP retained his seat, defeating Mr Keith Scarborough of the CCM.

Local reactions

Local political consultant Mr Julian Willock of the firm Advance Marketing and Professional Services, was asked about the implications for the VI. “The lesson here is when you perform and stay true to what you promised the people you will be rewarded as the CCM has been at the polls.” Mr Willock, himself a political aspirant, further told our newsroom, “It appears that the CCM being part of the Unity coalition with my friend Dr Harris has delivered for the people of Nevis.”

In the VI's case, he said there is a lot to be desired of the performance of the National Democratic Party before and after the hurricanes; however, “I want to caution that it is still early, as what looks not so good now, some year out, could change two weeks before the next election here.”

Mr Willock said he knows Mr Brantley personally and has already offered his “congratulations on his victory” via telephone and said he might be “a bit bias” so he will go ahead with a full disclosure because of his relationships with Team Unity Government, but he has “confidence in the Dr Harris led Government to deliver for the people of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.”