Motion of No Confidence against Gumbs Cabinet passed, Eight MPs voted in favor --- UPP/ De Weever/LRM/USP Government falls
PHILIPSBURG:--- The government of St. Maarten is now in shambles. The UPP/ De Weever/ LRM and USP Government fell on Wednesday when three Members of Parliament supporting the current coalition voted in favor of a motion of no confidence against the Gumbs cabinet which was presented by MP Sarah Wescot Williams. Wescot Williams highlighted the situation at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) the latest being the decision taken by the Council of Ministers to no longer grant land to the Operating Company, but instead to the Holding Company. SMN News published the letter sent by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on August 25th, 2015 instructing and informing Domain Affairs of the decision taken by the Council of Ministers.
Member of Parliament Silvio Matser finally came out and informed the people of St. Maarten when he announced publicly on the floor of parliament on Wednesday that he will be sending a letter to the Chairman of Parliament and declaring himself as an Independent Member of Parliament. Matser said that he formed a government with a set of people, yet he does not know what is going on in government. He said what is even worse he is not informed as to who does what or who is being appointed to office. Matser said while he has an ongoing tax related court case, he has been ridiculed constantly by the same people he formed a government with. MP Matser said he is constantly being accused for dropping the government but the time has come when he has had enough. Matser further explained he lost his father when his photograph appeared on the front page of one of the newspapers stating that he was convicted in his case. “This is something I will never be able to change but I have to live with it for the rest of my life.”
The announcement made by MP Matser left several Member of Parliament stunned. MP Franklin Meyers said he was expecting the motion presented because he got a phone call Tuesday night from someone who told him that a new government was in the making.
MP Maurice Lake also gave a long speech about what has been taking place within the government he is part of. MP Lake said he has been very vocal in several news articles about the things he is not pleased with and because he too has had enough he voted in favor of the motion presented by the opposition. MP Frans Richardson also voted in favor of the said motion. The motion of no confidence against the Gumbs cabinet got eight votes in favor with seven against.
Members of the GUMBS Cabinet that got a motion of No Confidence are:--
- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs
- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson
- Minister Claret Connor
- Minister Rita Bourne- Gumbs
- Minister Raphael Boasman
- Minister Ernest Sams
- Minister Maarten Hassink
