Philipsburg:--- Minister of Telecommunication Patrick Ilidge finally broke his silence after signing an accord of inclusion with the United Peoples Party on Monday. Ilidge called in during the "Talking Point Show" hosted by Lloyd Richardson to say that he plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday where he would explain the people of St. Maarten why he joined the United Peoples Party and he would at that time answer the questions the media has for him. However, the host of Talking Point asked him to use his forum and to give an explanation as to why he jumped ship from the National Alliance to the United Peoples Party.
Listen to the interview with Patrick Illidge:
The Minister said the opportunity presented itself when the leader of the United Peoples Party Theo Heyliger called him and told him that election has passed and its time they bury the hatchet and work together for the people of St. Maarten. Ilidge said he was in Curacao working when he received the call and he pondered on it and after that he consulted with his people, supporters including his family prior to taking the decision.
The Minister said he took the decision based on the fact he started a lot of work and needs to see them through. Illidge said when he received the call from Heyliger the opportunity presented itself and he believes that when they took the oath it was for them to work for the people of St. Maarten. He said the moment came to him and he decided he would move forward and do what he has to do for St. Maarten for the next four years.
"We went to Holland and work hard to get country status for St. Maarten and I think if I can contribute in whatever way, form or fashion I will give my part and do my best by giving it my all for the people of St. Maarten." Illidge referred to projects such as the roof of the Post Office that is currently under construction as the projects he worked on including housing.
The Minister said he just wants to do what is right for his people. "For me it is no longer about what party color but as long as the opportunity presents itself then we must take it. It is a pity that the National Alliance which I was part of was not able to clinch the situation with the UP party or the Democratic Party, but at the end of the day whichever party is in government the intention is to work for the people of St. Maarten and since I got the opportunity to work I will do so."
Illidge then publicly thanked the leader of the National Alliance for the time he spent with him in his party. He said the first time he contested an election was in 1999 with the National Alliance SPA team. Illidge said he would always cooperate and communicate with the National Alliance. He went on to say at the end of his term he is sure he could live with himself for making the choice he made since for him it is about the opportunities he could bring to the people to better their standard of life on the island.
No Notification to National Alliance
Despite calling in on Talking Point and promising to communicate with the National Alliance and saying that the newspapers reports are wrong when they said he started out politics with the PPA. Illidge is yet to inform or notify or resign from the National Alliance. Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin said Illidge did not make contact with him neither did he receive any notification from the president of the National Alliance board to say a resignation was submitted.
SMN News contacted the president of the National Alliance Debby Abraham to see if Illidge had submitted his letter of resignation or if he had informed them that he was going to be an Independent member of the island council and parliament. Abraham responded by saying "I have no comment and I do not knowing anything about a resignation or notification from Patrick Illidge."
It is to be noted that Debby Abraham is the Minister's sister while she is the president of the National Alliance board.
