PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel has issued a strong call on the leader of the United Peoples Party Theodore Heyliger whom he said should practice what he preached in 2013 when the National Alliance led government wanted to call for new elections. Emmanuel said that Heyliger issued a statement in 2013 when he formed a government with eight Members of Parliament, which at the time he said was a majority in Parliament and that the National Alliance who had lost the support of Parliament should go home and not hold on to power while stagnating the progress of the country. Emmanuel further explained that Heyliger should now order his Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs to respect the decision taken by the governor and to order him to submit the resignations of all the Ministers. “Let it be known that in 2013 the National Alliance led government lost the support of parliament, they did not get a motion of no confidence like the Gumbs cabinet.” In 2013 Heyliger told members of the media that the National Alliance government were hell bent on holding on to power and further stagnating the progress of the country and they were trying to dissolve the Parliament of St. Maarten unconstitutionally. Heyliger said the rules and laws are clear citing that when a Minister loses its majority in parliament the next step is for that Minister to resign. Emmanuel said it seems as though the UPP leader Theodore Heyliger forgets that the laws that existed in 2013 are the same ones that existed today, therefore he should respect the laws which he himself said are clear. Back then Heyliger said the National Alliance led government were trying to manipulate the people. Emmanuel asked what the Heyliger coaltion is trying to do now. He said would like to know if they are buying time to sign off of their huge projects or still trying to fish to see who will cross over to them. Those are the people who told the people of St. Maarten in 2014 that they were READY? Emmanuel asked what they were ready to do hold the Governor of St. Maarten hostage. The National Alliance MP said back then Heyliger accused the National Alliance government of shamelessly playing with the people’s emotions.
