Denzil Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Denzil Douglas
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Douglas in 2009
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| 2nd Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
| In office 6 July 1995 – 18 February 2015 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Clement Arrindell Cuthbert Sebastian Edmund Lawrence |
| Deputy | Sam Condor (1995–2013) Earl Asim Martin (2013–2015) |
| Preceded by | Kennedy Simmonds |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Harris |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 15 August 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Terrance Drew |
| Preceded by | Vincent Byron |
| In office 25 January 2008 – 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Timothy Harris |
| Succeeded by | Sam Condor |
| In office 6 July 1995 – 2000 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Kennedy Simmonds |
| Succeeded by | Sam Condor |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office July 1995 – November 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Kennedy Simmonds |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Harris |
| In office February 2010 – February 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Timothy Harris |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Denzil Llewellyn Douglas
14 January 1953 Saint Paul Capisterre, British Leeward Islands (now Saint Kitts and Nevis) |
| Political party | Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party |
| Alma mater | University of the West Indies at Cave Hill |
Denzil Llewellyn Douglas (born 14 January 1953) is a politician from the island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. He served as the country's Prime Minister for 20 years, from 1995 to 2015, making him the longest-serving leader in the nation's history.
For many years, Douglas was the leader of the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP). He also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the country's parliament before becoming prime minister and again after his time in office ended.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Denzil Douglas was born on 14 January 1953, in the village of St. Pauls. As a young man, he decided to study medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1977 and later a Degree in Medicine in 1984 from the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill.
After finishing his studies, he returned home and started his own medical clinic in 1986. He worked as a family doctor and was also the president of the St. Kitts-Nevis Medical Association in the late 1980s.
Political Journey
Entering Politics
In 1989, Denzil Douglas entered politics. He was elected to the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which is the country's parliament. He represented the area where he grew up, including places like Newton Ground and Saddlers.
Right away, he was appointed the Leader of the Opposition. In the same year, he became the leader of the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. He worked to rebuild and strengthen the party for future elections.
Serving as Prime Minister
His hard work paid off. In 1995, the Labour Party won the general election, and Douglas became the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis. He led his party to victory again in 2000, 2004, and 2010. As prime minister, he was in charge of the country's government for four terms.
One of his well-known projects was the One Laptop per Child program in 2011. This program gave thousands of free laptops, donated by Taiwan, to high school students each year.
Challenges and Controversies
During his time as prime minister, Douglas's government faced some challenges. In 2014, the United States government expressed concerns about the country's Citizenship by Investment program. This program allows foreign individuals to get a passport from St. Kitts and Nevis by investing money in the country. The U.S. warned that the program's rules were not strict enough.
In 2019, after he was no longer prime minister, Douglas was questioned at Gatwick Airport in London by UK officials. They asked him about a large amount of cash he was carrying as he was trying to leave the country.
Court Ruling on Parliament Seat
In March 2020, a major court case affected Douglas's political career. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruled that he had to give up his seat in the National Assembly.
The court found that by having and using a diplomatic passport from the country of Dominica, he had broken a rule in the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis. The constitution says that a member of parliament cannot show loyalty to another country. The court decided that holding the foreign passport meant he had to leave his position as a representative.
Later Career
After his party lost the 2015 general election, Douglas continued to be active in politics as the Leader of the Opposition.
In 2021, he stepped down as the leader of the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. A new leader, Terrance Drew, was elected to take his place. However, Douglas remained the Leader of the Opposition in parliament for a while longer.
In August 2022, when his party returned to power under Prime Minister Terrance Drew, Douglas was appointed to a new role. He became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing St. Kitts and Nevis to the rest of the world.
Honours
United Kingdom
- Appointed to Her Majesty’s Privy Council in 2011. This allows him to use the title "The Right Honourable."
Taiwan:
Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds (2011)
See also
In Spanish: Denzil Douglas para niños
