“Independence referendum not a priority right now”

GREAT BAY – A referendum for independence is not a priority for the Democratic Party at this moment,” party leader Sarah Wescot-Williams said yesterday at a press conference she gave in her role as president of Parliament.

Wescot-Williams said that there is a lot of legislation that needs the urgent attention of government and Parliament,

She once more explained why the petitions committee of Parliament that handled last week a request by the Independence for St. Martin Foundation to hold a constitutional referendum, moved said request onwards to the central committee of Parliament.

“The petitions committee is a place where citizens can file a petition about how government executes its tasks,” she said. “To file such a petition, you do not have to be an injured party, but you must have an interest in the matter at hand.”

Wescot-Williams repeated that, to hold any referendum, the country still has to establish relevant legislation.