As Judas is to Jesus so is Dwyer Astaphan to the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party. Elected to serve the people in 1995, he later went on serve until he was able to collect his pension from the federal government. It was on this day that the Former G A Dwyer Astaphan became a dishonourable person within the eyes of every true labour supporter.                              Presently, Mr. Ass-taphan has sided with the past members from the opposition and has launched a campaign not only against the leader of our beloved party but against every true Labour supporter.   

On 10th July 2008, our beloved leader stated “Minister Astaphan’s contributions are worthy of the highest accolades", this is the kiss upon Judas' cheek before the direct betrayal of Jesus Christ. For our leader did not denouce Mr. Ass-taphan for the traitor and hypocrite that he was but continued to praise him.

                               The Qurán speaks of hypocrites as "... impostors. More importantly, they do not engage in such falsehood unaided; they aim to infiltrate the company of the believers, posing as one of them. The reason they seek to be accepted among the believers is to gain some personal advantage.While the bible states, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye". Both text speak directly to what we are now seeing from Mr. Astaphan, for if he was really unsatisfied with our leader's decisions why did he walk among us to be re-elected in 2000 and then in 2004? If it were not greed or hunger for the leadership mantle why then did he bide time coming to our conferences year after year, rally after rally and sit through meetings after meetings?

                          He then stated in an interview with the Observer,"Once you're part of something you have to take part of the collective responsibility. I don't run away from responsibility."So the questions to Mr. Astaphan are that wasnt't ational debt that he so candidly blames on our Prime Minister alone, were the funds used for the development of all  constituencies in the federation since 1995? Or were those funds used to build houses to expand the parameters of the individual of our federation, were they not used to improve schools throughout the federation so that, the masses of the SKNLP can afford for their children to be educated? In 1998, when our island was devasted by one of the worse hurricanes to date were the funds not used to rebuild in stone what was built in sand? Mr Ass-taphan says that he is looking out for the good of the people and that he shall remain labour, but I say to him that he knows not what it is to truly be labour. Does not know what it is to have ancestors who were considered less than possesions but wrote it in their sweat and tears that the youth of our generation and those to come shall see better times. Mr Astaphan does not know that to be truly labour one must live, breathe and eat the philosphies of the party. For one is not born a labour but labour is born in us, in the freedom that our ancestors nutured and fought for and gave to us.



                  Let this therefore serve as a warning to all who may seek to tarnish our party's reputation or divide our masses, the leadership of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party shall remain up until such time that he/she who holds that seat chooses to resign or the masses of our beloved party resolve otherwise. But don't they ever dare cast a stone at the helm for one knows not how many we may decide to throw back at you.  REMEMBER ''93?

When young voters helped put the Labour Party back in office with the RED Campaign, the youth made it clear its voice affects elections. Some have opined that this generation won’t continue to support the Labour party and the causes it represents . These doubters are wrong, and I know young voters will make a statement again in the upcoming election campaign.

Young people energized fellow supporters and went to the polls in 2011 because the Party respected the youth vote as a legitimate political force.

Our candidates promised to make land and housing easier to attain, better global opportunities, and a voice for all. With promises of providing laptops for all school children, controlling and minimizing the national debt, job opportunities and continued infrastructural development they captivated the taste of the youth. And by following through, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has made St. Kitts-Nevis a richer place and one with an even playing field internationally for all young people.

This upcoming election will be one of choice, a simple choice of right and wrong, and we know that no matter which candidates they nominate, the SKNLP's opponents have made it clear they will exacerbate these very economic disparities. The People's Action Movement prior to Labour's command of leadership sought to stifle the development of the masses at every turn. And they continue to oppose progress at nearly every step of this economic recovery.

The party  has continuously led this country for the pass consecutive terms, and in that time has championed the issues important to young Kittitians and Nevisians. It is our firm belief that the SKNLP understands that more than a voting bloc, the youth are the building blocks of the future of this country, and that’s why young persons will proudly continue to be LABOUR.

When you compare the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party’s accomplishments to the policies favored by the People's Action Movement, the reasons young people will continue to vote for the party become naturally clear.

While young people face a historically difficult job market, it’s clear that the Labour Party has been working to ensure that we have every opportunity to succeed while PAM continue to espouse policies that would widen a generational gap in prosperity.

The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has respected the power of the youth in 2011, and they will proudly vote for the party again in the next election term because they continue to follow through for the Millennial Generation and invested in the future of our country.

We proudly state WE ARE NOT LABOUR BECAUSE WE WERE BORN THAT WAY BUT BECAUSE LABOUR WAS BORN IN US!

Our Party, which art in government,

Labour be our name;

Our candidates come,

Thy will be done,

And sod the guy at Number Eleven.

Praise us today, Oh Daily Telegraph,

As we give out our press passes

And forgive those who use their press pass against us.

And lead us not into stagnation,

But deliver us another term.

For ours is the kingdom,

In power, we’re Tory.

Forever and ever, Amen – and of course A-women. 

Children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. You really cannot sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough  for the overall development of your child. It's the age of specialization  and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity.  So, scour your locality for the most advantageous programs and enroll them for the ones you think are the best.

After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a skill that is ignored by regular schools. These programs could be educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, they basically aim to keep the child active and interested. 

The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it widens your child's area of interests. He or she is introduced to new things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art form or a new skill increases the child's self-esteem. It also allows you to introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career out of it in the long run.

Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs. Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child.

After school programs keep your teenager busy. He or she thus has some amount of protection from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol. Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing activities are less prone to abuse, depression and burnout. Significant increase in achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates are other advantages of a good after school programs.

Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with adults. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and teachers, but may open up with other adults. 

Many children are put into recreational after school programs so that they reduce weight and remain healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that about 15% children below the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their children on a strict diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. With cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of
many after school programs.

A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps the child entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents children from becoming addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape the overall personality of the child.