In recent months, we have focused on some key issues which we think will influence the outcome of the upcoming General Election in Barbados. A search at the top of the BU page by entering Mascoll, Arthur, Thompson, Mottley et al will access several stories to this effect. One of the more popular issues we wrote about is the match-up in St. Michael North West between Clyde Mascoll and Chris Sinckler.
Another constituency which makes us ooze in anticipation is the cat-fight which is sure to develop between Denis Lowe and Reginald Farley in Christ Church East. Lets face it, Reginald Farley is the one that got away in the 2003 General Election. Farley was able ‘to buck’ a national swing which should have resulted in him loosing his seat. History shows he won the seat by a relatively comfortable margin of 322 votes.
So what has happened to Farley in the ensuing period? Has Farley been able to solidify his profile? Prior to 2003, Farley was perceived by us and others to be one of the senior members of government and it was not unheard-of to hear his name being mentioned as a potential candidate for Prime Minister to succeed Arthur. We are unable to explain why his popularity in the Arthur cabinet has waned over time. Our sense is that he has not delivered to expectations; however some pundits suggests that he has been sidelined by Arthur for other reasons.
His opponent Dr. Denis Lowe has been rumored to be another one of the bright Democratic Labour Party candidates which Arthur attempted to entice in his politics of inclusion. Whether this was the case or not, Denis Lowe has been campaigning with fervour in the ongoing campaign and has been one of the more eloquent speakers on the Democratic Labour Party platform in our opinion.
If the CADRES poll is correct that there will be a national swing in the range of 5-12%, then Farley may struggle to retain his seat. A lot has not been written about Dr. Denis Lowe and we have to admit that the BU household has been smitten by his oratory skills which combines style of delivery with above average content. In case you have not heard him on the campaign trail, here are four Youtube videos which support our claim.
This will be a short campaign and the electors will be hard pressed to thoroughly discussed all the issues. Over the next two weeks, we intend to display our civic duty by throwing our doors wide-open on our blog to frankly and fairly discussed the issues. We now declare the silly season officially open.
Related Story
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.