Philipsburg: --- The leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams has informed the leader of the National Alliance William Marlin that she would be meeting with him sometime later today (Thursday) to discuss the formation of a new government. SMN News understands that Wescot Williams already indicated to Marlin that she did not agree on the basis on which he wants to form a government.
In an invited comment, National Alliance Leader William Marlin said the National Alliance is prepared to hold a meeting of the leaders, each accompanied by another member of their party at the Holland House Hotel at 4 p.m today.
The National Alliance has eliminated it pre-conditions as was set before. Marlin said neither side would have pre-conditions. As such, the National Alliance wants all DP Commissioners to resign before the meeting is held at 4 pm. There will then be no opposition party and no governing party and there will be no Commissioners with portfolios.
Asked about the present political crisis at yesterday's executive press briefing Wescot Williams said even though it is already one week since Independent Island Council member Louie Laveist had withdrawn his support from the Democratic Party there has not been any formal talks between the two parties to form a broad base government.
Speaking about the communication, she received from the leader of the National Alliance she said when she was given the proposal from Marlin on Friday last week she did not divulge that information to her members neither the media. However, that information was out there by Saturday morning.
She said that responded to Marlin informing him that she would not be negotiating under the conditions he set out. Wescot Williams said that in an email to her Marlin said, he was still willing to form a government with the Democratic Party but he did not remove his pre-conditions. She said all she wants to know from Marlin is if he was willing to begin talks without any pre-conditions as was outlined in his letter before they can begin the formal talks.
Wescot Williams said based on newspaper articles, blogs and talk shows the National Alliance seems to have some sort of letter from Independent Councilman Louie Laveist in their back pockets, which explains the basis on which they are dealing with the DP. "If that is so then it would explain the actions of the NA even though it is evident. The only persons to clear this up are those involved which is Laveist and Marlin. If it turns out to be true then one can see the reason for the hardball the NA is playing."
Wescot Williams said the way she see it does not mean because she wants a stable government in place that she would sit down and allow the NA to walk over her with the type of demands they placed on them.
She said if it turns out that, the NA is walking around with a letter from Laveist in his back pocket then he would allow the standoff to continue then he would say he tried and since it is not possible, he would form government with Laveist, if that is so then Marlin owes the people an explanation.
Even though not excluding the possibility she said her party does not have other options now.