Well-travelled Labour MP Chris Carter is about to rack up some more air miles.
On the face of it, it sounds like a noble mission.
Commonwealth Secretary General HE Mr Kamalesh Sharma has asked Mr Carter to lead an election team to monitor the g
Well-travelled Labour MP Chris Carter is about to rack up some more air miles.
On the face of it, it sounds like a noble mission.
Commonwealth Secretary General HE Mr Kamalesh Sharma has asked Mr Carter to lead an election team to monitor the general election to be held on January 25 for the two-island Caribbean nation known as The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
The last election, in 2004, was plagued by allegations of corruption. So some form of monitoring seems well in order.
But the closer you look at Mr Carter’s assignment, the crusier it appears.
For St Kitts and Nevis has a total population of just 43,000 - or roughly the same as a single New Zealand electorate (which average 47,000) - and elects just 11 MPs.
And the twin island state measures a microscopic 261 square kilometres, or around a third the size of Lake Taupo.
The five-strong team, including Mr Carter, will have 10 days to keep a tab on things.
We know what you’re thinking: what does Mr Carter know about the Caribbean?
But the Te Atatu MP has that covered.
Before hitting the islands he’ll detour for a Caribbean issues briefing with Helen Clark’s UN Development Programme in New York.
