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Prior Publication

Explore Charles’ body of work, featuring his book Breaking the Cycle: Politics, Constitutional Change and Governance in St. Kitts and Nevis, alongside a selection of commentaries and presentations reflecting his perspective on governance and national development.

Breaking The Cycle

Politics, Constitutional Change, And Governance in St. Kitts and Nevis

Charles Wilkin, makes a fervent plea for the state of St. Kitts and Nevis to break the cycle of tribal politics that has unsettled and hindered the growth and development of the twin-island “federation”.

He uses as his starting point, a detailed description and chronology of the political events between December 2012 and February 2015 – the so-called 26 Month Election – the third major crisis the country would face in its relatively short political history.

In Part Two, the author analyses the detrimental effects of this tradition of tribal politics, which he argues, has been exacerbated by an inadequate constitution that effectively creates an ‘elective dictatorship’. He goes further, however, by providing prescriptions for constitutional change, including term limits for parliamentarians, far-reaching electoral and civil service reforms as well as new laws relating to campaign financing, freedom of information and the governance structures of state institutions.

The resolution of the 26-month election crisis and the lessons learned lead Wilkin to be cautiously optimistic that the new government in place, comprising of a coalition of three parties, will address some of the fundamental changes he suggests as being necessary to create a true democracy for St. Kitts and Nevis. Mr. Wilkin’s optimism was totally misplaced as the coalition government imploded because of corruption and mismanagement and disunity having governed in exactly the same tribal way as its predecessors.

PURCHASE BOOK HERE

Commentaries and Presentations

Address To National Consultation On The Economy -22 October 2015

I begin by recognizing some very positive attributes of our economy which can be built on if we are to make a fresh start. Firstly, Kittitians and Nevisians have a proud record of investing in their economy. The 5 listed public companies whose shares are traded on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange have in excess of 8,000 shareholders the vast majority of whom are nationals. Even allowing for some overlapping in those numbers our country has by far the biggest ratio of

Commentary On CBI - 4 December 2018

Once again the CBI programme of St. Kitts and Nevis is coming under worldwide negative scrutiny. This time it is not questionable diplomatic passports being dished out without accountability. It is not Iranian nationals being allowed to circumvent international sanctions. It is not about undesirables being whisked through the due diligence process. It is not about the half built eyesores at Frigate Bay and elsewhere on both islands. This time it is sales agents and their prin

Recommendations To National Productivity Council - August 2025

The purposes and objectives of the Council and its functions are very broadly stated in the National Productivity Council Act. Noteworthy among these is the mandate to promote a culture of productivity, efficiency and innovation across both public and private sectors. It is indisputable that the prevailing culture is totally inadequate for the strong economic development contemplated. I make the following recommendations for your action in carrying out that mandate: 1. T

Commentary - Has The Cycle Been Broken - 8 August 2019

In late 2015 I published a book called "Breaking the Cycle" in which I drew attention to the political tribalism from which our country has suffered since 1967. I also focused on the need for constitutional, governance and electoral reform. I documented the excesses of the Douglas Government up to and including the 2015 general election. I suggested that the result of that election won by Team Unity, a coalition of three political parties, raised hope that the never ending cy

Commentary On Governance By Unity In SKN - 21 March 2019

Lindsay Grant, Minister in the Unity administration, said last week that the Unity manifesto on which they were elected in 2015 was “a contract with the people” and that “Unity has delivered on almost everything in the manifesto and more”. I assume he used the word “almost” because Unity has not delivered on their fundamental contract with the people to make government and the electoral system open, transparent and accountable which it is not at present and never has been.

Commentary on Overseas Voters - 5 July 2018

Thanks for inviting me on your WinnFm programme. I am sorry I could not appear in person but the joy of watching the World Cup quarter-finals surpasses the sad politics of St. Kitts and Nevis. I have however put my thoughts into writing which feel free to read on air. I can come on another programme to expand on and defend them as necessary. The issue of the "overseas vote" is a difficult one with arguments on both sides. If we really want to improve democracy in St. Kitts an

Lecture To History And Heritage Week of UWI Open Campus - 23 February 2017

I am honoured by the invitation of UWI Open Campus to deliver this lecture as part of History & Heritage Week which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the attainment of Associated Statehood by St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla on 27th February 1967. History and Heritage Week is held to focus the attention of the community on the importance of its history and heritage to the life and development of our country and its people. We all know the very wise saying that a nation

Proposals For ZIZ Reform - 7 May 2016

I offer the following legal perspective, comments and recommendations in response to the outreach by the Corporation for input from the public and cognisant of the commitment of the Government in its 2015 Election Manifesto to allow wider access to the radio and television stations. For there to be real reform of ZIZ the powers behind that reform must recognize the fundamental constitutional right of access to the station as pronounced by the Courts and confirmed in the 2012

Address On Tenth Anniversary Of Winn Fm - 2012

This is a particularly pleasing occasion for me as one of the founders of WINNfm. When at the turn of the century the small group of founders began to plan the establishment of the station I did not in my wildest dreams expect that within ten years of operation WINNfm would become a national institution in our little country. It has. I expected that the station would establish a solid reputation for independent news coverage and would contribute to the development of the long

Commentary On Winn Fm On Term Limits - 12 April 2011

The main focus of this address will be term limits that is the restriction by law of the time in which persons elected to public office can hold such office. To put the issue in context I must begin with a brief discussion on our form of Government. St. Kitts-Nevis is meant to be a constitutional democracy. The main ingredients of this type of system are a Constitution which is the supreme law, the election by the people of its representatives by free and fair elections, cont

Commentary On Unifying The Country - 3 March 2010

Despite an unusually long campaign extended by the litigation over (thankfully) aborted constituency boundary changes and despite the extreme tension over that issue and despite the usual exaggerations and hostile tone of the campaign on all sides, the 2010 elections passed peacefully. For this maturity our people deserve real credit. There are lingering disputes which will no doubt make their way through the Courts and likewise hopefully be resolved peacefully. We must not

A Snapshot of St. Kitts and Nevis in 1969

When the Rotary Club of St. Kitts was chartered as a member of Rotary International on 11 th July 1969 St. Kitts and Nevis had 25 months prior ceased to be a colony of Britain and, together with Anguilla, become the Associated State of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. The State had full internal self-government with Britain responsible for defence and foreign affairs. The economy of St. Kitts was at the time based almost entirely on the production of sugar. The sugar cane was grow

Presentation To Skn Branch Of Chartered Accountants - 5 November 2016

Allow me to begin my giving you my favorite definition of an accountant. An accountant is someone who solves a problem you did not know you had in a way you do not understand. And a good tax accountant is one who has a loophole named after him. I compliment you on the theme of your week of activities - Thought Leaders and the Accounting Profession. I will address one aspect of the theme, that is thought leadership through civil society organisations such as yours for the be

Commentary On Electoral Reform - 28 November 2016

The last two Federal elections - in 2010 and 2015 - were foreshadowed and overshadowed by controversy and lawsuits over the country's electoral system. Issues in contention included the registration of voters, the constituency boundaries and the overseas vote. Added to these in 2015 were the Motion of No Confidence and the disgraceful behavior of the Supervisor of Elections. The last two Nevis local government elections were likewise dogged with controversy and litigation th

Presentation On Public Boards - 23 March 2015

In our tribal culture, with a change of government come changes in some if not most boards of statutory corporations and other government appointed or controlled commissions, authorities, companies and entities. I refer to these as public boards. A position on a public board is too often regarded as a plum for big supporters and a form of reward for persons who worked hard for the election of their candidate. Such appointments carry pay and perks. They carry power to hir

Address To Caribbean Association Of Bankers - 11 November 2015

Thanks for inviting me to address such an august gathering. It is indeed an honour. I note the theme of your conference- “The financial services industry at cross roads: where to from here”. Far be it for me to try to answer that question. I am certainly not as qualified to do so as you are. I will however borrow your theme and consider its application in the wider perspective of the development of the region generally. Or perhaps the theme of my address could be- “the region

Presentation To Caribbean Law Institute On Justice Improvement Project- 9 May 2014

Justice should in the context of this project be given a wide interpretation to include just laws. That appears to be recognised by the inclusion in the agenda of “the development of laws at the regional and national levels”. The greatest need in our region in terms of laws is in the area of governance. I am sure we all agree that all of our countries would benefit from improved governance and, forgive the buzzwords, greater transparency and accountability. Every country