The contest which we find to be very intriguing is the match-up between the former DLP stable mates Chris Sinckler on the left (DLP) and Clyde Mascoll (BLP). The contest in our opinion will tell Barbados many things, the result has created a mouth watering anticipation for John Public for three reasons.
Reason #1
Clyde Mascoll has generated heated debate in the country regarding his public battle for the leadership of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) with David Thompson who eventually came out the winner. Much has been said about whether Mascoll was right or Thompson was wrong, some public commentators have been heard to say that the Democratic Labour Party orchestrated the demise of Clyde Mascoll. We were not privileged to have been a DLP insider at that time, so like you, we have to discern the truth from the pile of poop which is plentiful around this issue. Tom, Dick and Harry have had their say and soon we will all know how Barbadians really feel about Mascoll the politician. The question which we will all have answered when Prime Minister Owen Arthur finally announces the election date will be: Will Mascoll retain his credibility as a politician despite the switch from former Leader of the Opposition to a Junior Minister in the Owen Arthur cabinet?
Reason #2
It is no secret that Chris Sinckler was one of those who worked closely with David Thompson to recruit and groom Mascoll the politician. This time around, Sinckler who like Mascoll is from the St. Michael North West constituency will be seeking to dismantle the support which he helped to build for Mascoll from previous election campaigning. The interesting dynamic at work in this constituency will be to observe two young, intellectual candidates who can boast of having grassroot support in the constituency. So many of the candidates in recent elections have been those who have adopted constituencies. It will be refreshing to see two hometown boys who have some ‘dept’ slogging it out. There is no doubt that both parties see this match-up as being very important to create certain public perceptions. In the case of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) they would feel vindicated that the politics of inclusion would have worked. Clyde Mascoll the former Leader of the Opposition who was bloodied and wounded by David Thompson for the leadership of the DLP and who scuttled to King Arthur’s lair for solace and comfort. On the other side we have Chris Sinckler who has replaced Mascoll as Thompson’s political confidant and right hand man. If Thompson is the one who visits the Governor General to be sworn in as Prime Minister, he will want Chris Sinckler by his side.
Reason #3
The St. Michael North West constituency has been a volatile seat in recent elections. The relatively narrow margin of victory for Mascoll last time around may have to withstand a national swing against the government of up to 5% according to the latest CADRES poll. If we factor a further loss of support for Mascoll because of the Hardwoods controversy, if he wins the seat he would have proven to all and sundry that he is the better man to enter parliament.
History is very alert in anticipation of the upcoming general election. They are some who believe that Mascoll has prostituted himself simply to experience the taste of power and the prestige and and material benefits which goes with the job. They are others who say that Sinckler is the one who should take over the mandate which was given to Mascoll who contested on a DLP ticket. The edge which Mascoll has with a better known national profile becomes irrelevant on the ground in St. Michael North West where both are perhaps equally well known.
We should remember that to enter the Lower House one has to be first elected at the constituency level. Barbados Underground have never been afraid to state our position on the issues. It is our opinion Mascoll made a mistake by switching allegiance so easily given the high office which he occupied within the DLP. To have become bedfellows with a group of politicians who would have vilified him not too long ago just does not sit well with Barbadians. If Mascoll wins, yes he would have done well, but it would highlight in our eyes the state of our politics.Who was it that said a democracy is not perfect?
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