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Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Manifesto 2008

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People come and people go but a great movement goes on forever
–Chris Sinckler

Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Manifesto 2008

Tonight at Passage Road the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) launched their 56 page Manifesto 2008, Pathways to Progress.

Irene Sandiford-Garner speaks on the lack of governance and financial accountability. See some notes jotted while various speakers spoke:

Irene Sandiford-Garner

Governance and Financial Accountability

  • EDUTEC – $400 million
  • GEMS – $300 million
  • Highway Project – $200 million
  • Publications of agreement by government
  • Adhere to ruled regarding parliamentary questions
  • Press Briefings
  • Constituency Offices to manage $100,000 stipends to manage
    miscellaneous affairs to decentralize government
  • Integrity Legislation – declaration of assets by all parliamentarians
  • Rationalize powers of the Prime Minister
  • Vote on limiting prime Minister to two terms if elected

Haynesly Benn reports as the man selected to slay Owen Arthur in St. Peter

Haynesly Benn

  • Prime Minister Owen Arthur canvassing harder than in previous years according to Benn
  • Reports of fights between BLPites over the co-leader statement made by Arthur with chairs being thrown around
  • Land ownership is too important to leave to market forces: DLP will implement a policy to provide 500 lots in 5 months for first time homeowners. Other lots will be provided to other would be homeowners. Removal of VAT from houses value up to $400,000
  • Abolishment of user fees for Barbadian patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
  • Implement Rescue QEH Plan
    • Increase trained personnel
    • Construction of new Accident and Emergency wing
    • Expand Asthma Bay
    • Upgrade Geriatric Hospital
    • 24 hour opening of selected Polyclinics

Reform of Educational System

  • Convene a forum to discuss relevance of current education system
  • Review school age
  • Co-education
  • Teacher recruitment
  • Use of school property, should not be closed at 3 PM
  • School Security
  • Expand textbook loan scheme for primary school students
  • Include family life, civics, sport, art on the school curriculum
  • Facilitate slow learners
  • Raise school leaving age to 18 years
  • Subsidize amenities fee at UWI
  • Resources available for counseling to improve families and delinquent parents

Employment Related Policies

  • Reopening of Services Commission
  • Create environment for self-employment
  • Policy to manage immigration
  • Increase investment in training of the workforce
  • Assist entrepreneurs with research and marketing
  • Reserve government work for small enterprises

Chris Sinckler Chris Sinckler, the MC for the night assured Barbadians that no one Minister will be able to change water zones and similar decisions. DLP will encourage competition in the distribution sector to drive down prices; re-examine tariff regulating all goods entering Barbados. Selected price controls to implement on a basket of goods.

Financial Policies Delivered by David Estwick

David Estwick

  • Restore balance and prudence to monetary and fiscal policy
  • Slow down the approach to Capital Account liberalization

Spoke at length about current ‘spending spree’ on government projects given the increasing National Debt over 2 billion. Tourism Development exhausted. DLP will roll-out proposals to transform the economy to generate other avenues for foreign exchange.

The notes are not exhaustive and BU visitors can feel free to fill the gaps.

 

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196 responses to “Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Manifesto 2008”

  1. James Tudor Avatar
    James Tudor

    That’s some massive crowd at the BLP meeting tonight!

  2. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Maybe so, but I have been following both, and there seems to be more substance in Passage Rd!

  3. Hard Driver Avatar
    Hard Driver

    Lots of red shirts at Carlisle carpark. So where are the undecided? Passage Road?

  4. YUM YUM I like it! Avatar
    YUM YUM I like it!

    Why is David Thompson strangling that old lady?

  5. Lodge Road Avatar
    Lodge Road

    There is lots of RED shirts at Carlisle Carpark, and lots of YELLOW shirts at Passage Road so all the undecided is at home. where we are able to watch them both at the same time via the internet Hard Driver you fool.

  6. bimlad Avatar
    bimlad

    I am looking for someone who attended both meetings to compare size of crowds. The police are a good source for crowd estimation. Who pulled bigger audience on manifesto night Bees or Dems?

    BLP appears to be running scared from televison debates. Owen gave impression he could not wait to eat Thompson raw in debates instead we have the spectacle of his AG not turning up for debate while Lashley of DLP turned up. Shame on Owen and BLP. Thats another charge Dems should use against Owen in their daily must read charge sheet.

    Thompson would catspraddle Owen in any debate. No other leader has been attacked by as many people as Thompson and he has withstood them all and has been devastating in his comebacks. Thompson over Owing any day in debating.

  7. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    But there seems to be content coming from the DLP tonight. No name calling tonight.

    Whereas all I am hearing from the BLP is cheerleading of Arthur. Its like when I go to church in the morning; the men will rise to extol the virtues of the GOD-MAN, rather than that of a mere man !

  8. Ayub Avatar
    Ayub

    Wunna worry bout crowds…come Jan 15th a lot wunna BLP yardfowls gine be crying rivers of tears………..trust me

  9. David Avatar
    David

    The PM backraising Thompson. Middle class Barbados will get their taxes significantly reduced. Pensioners get increase and taxes on pensions waived targeted at BARP. Several other benefits which the Pm rattled off but too tired to record now. It will be who can buy the most votes it looks like.

    PM accuses the DLP of accepting money from Taiwan to fund campaign brokered by Hartley Henry and Charles Lee.
    He further accuses Thompson of being caught in night clubs and playing one arm bandits and alot more.
    Looks like the Arthur has removed the gloves.

  10. Lodge Road Avatar
    Lodge Road

    David Seale, Anthony Wood cousin is bank rolling the BLP campaign and also doing what he can for Anthony Wood, so what is the deal if Leroy Parris is bank rolling David Thompson?

  11. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    So what Thompson parties and plays slots.. Owen is drunkard and a foul mouthed bully.

    At least he ain causing anyone else harm!!!

  12. donald duck Avatar
    donald duck

    the dems say that they “will increase the tax free exemption threshold for pensioners receiving $3,000 per month or less.” Do they not realise that the personal allowance for persons aged 60 and over in receipt of a pension is already $40,000 per year, which is well over $3,000 per month,

  13. Undertaker Avatar
    Undertaker

    Basically, what I gathered to be honest is that as long as Owen is the head the David would NEVER win and election, lets be real I believe that the DLP will win a lot more seats about 6/7 or eight more, but David is just a great no. 2 when he is compared to Owen, Owen is what you would call a Big Night Performer. I like members from both sides and they are some one both sides that I would not like to get back in and some on the BLP side that I would not like to get back in (like Noel Lynch) Both leaders and both sides have skeletons and THINGS to hide, and corruptness.

  14. Undertaker Avatar
    Undertaker

    Irene Sandiford-Garner, I like her I think that she has that “old time” political feel about her, think that she debates well and is overall a great upcoming politican, I wish her well, not sure she can beat george though (being honest, he has done a lot of canvassing lately) he has some loyal supporters, lots of those people got jobs and houses etc, when he had ministries and people will not forget that easily, but she does stand a change though, I am not to sure of Clyde Mascoll regaining that seat though, town people and people near town, don’t forgive betrayal that easily, when Hammie crossed everyone knew why, but with Mascoll it was a lot different, although I think that most people would have done the same thing. I think with him the timing was off, maybe if he had gone independent for a while and then joined a few months later that would have changed things, I don’t think that Sinkler is so hot, but against Mascoll he looks good right now, but 10 days is a long time in politics.

  15. 4dr14n H1nd5 Avatar
    4dr14n H1nd5

    Anonymous // January 6, 2008 at 12:59 am

    So what Thompson parties and plays slots.. ==============================

    Seems to have something in common with Tom Adams. 😀

  16. Fowl Pen Avatar
    Fowl Pen

    The BLP made a VERY powerful presentation last night and pulled a VERY HUGE crowd.

    The DLP manifesto failed to appear at the DLP manifesto launch. They now say wait until Wednesday.

  17. Wishing in Vain Avatar
    Wishing in Vain

    Thankfully BU has dealt with a nonsense comment using my name.
    Getting back to these meetings the DEMS had a massive well attended crowd of about 10,000 to 12,000 persons and delivered a well designed program of change for this island.

    The political misfit Owing must first address the nation on why he feels so motivated not to ever want to see the DLP hold office again and why he continues to destroy mottley as he has openly done recently, and what triggered the brawl among the animals of the blp that saw mottlet throwing chairs at Owing and Wood having to tell Owing that he wood was a better Economist than the idiot ASSCOLL and he and Owing fought likes cats and dogs, wonderful examples to be setting for our children to follow.

  18. Sad Sheila Avatar
    Sad Sheila

    How do they plan to run the country if they can’t even get their website up and running properly! This has me very concerned.

  19. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    I have always thought, that the DLP had a leader in David Thompson and the candidates, to make a difference to Barbados in the coming election. That they have released a manifesto which underpins that belief, warms me, but more importantly, gives hope, that the dreams longed for by the majority of Barbadians seem imminent.

    Almost a week before Dr. Martin Luther King’s day in America – 21st January – the Barbados electorate will go to the polls, perhaps it is timely to mention at this moment, when there is hope for the future, what the great man said:

    “…”let us not walow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow. I still have a dream”

    It is with hope, and with that dream we can see a light for a better tomorrow.

    It would be remiss of me, if I did not mention, how impressed I have been, with the courage, attitude and incisive mental dexterity of Irene Sandiford – Garner the DLP candidate for St. Andrew. This young lady has presented herself to our brothers and sisters in St. Andrew, and I sincerely hope she is given the opportunity to represent them. It would be a pinnacle of justice, for a young lady of great courage and ability.

  20. Makaveli Avatar
    Makaveli

    Owen Going Gone

  21. NUT CRACKER Avatar
    NUT CRACKER

    owin asster would never engage David in no debate. remember owen words,he don’t like to debate with David,because David is a stinging debater remember.

  22. Adrian Loveridge Avatar
    Adrian Loveridge

    Interesting ‘post-it’ note on the front of the Sunday Sun today, stating ‘The BLP Thanks Barbados for packing Carlisle Car Park for the presentation of our candidates last night’.

    What time did the meeting start and what time were the post-it notes and newspaper printed?

    Just asking!

  23. Wishing in Vain Avatar
    Wishing in Vain

    The sticky advert on the front page of the
    Nation today was a statement of hope and wishes, because based on recent history the blp meetings have been lack lustre and very lacking on substance, as we saw on Saturday night while ALL THE DLP MEETING were overflowing with people the blp meeting in Beckles road was very poorly attended by about 40 persons and Owing SEE THRU ARTHUR never even worried to attend and to speak at that meeting in defence of Noeless Blarney Lynch, what does that say to us the voters? It says if Owing has no use for him why should we have any use for this clown.
    I assume that the NEGLECT comes about as a result of the brawl mottley and Owing had at Party Headquarters and the fact that Lynch has pledged his support to mottley rather than Owing !!!!

  24. Wishing in Vain Avatar
    Wishing in Vain

    Adrian I posted having not seen your commentsbut I support your observation 100 %.
    These wicked corrupt bastards would have had this sticker sent out even if they only had 5 people to listen to them, this is an example of the lengths that this group of dishonest bastards will go to in an effort to make themselves look good in the eyes of the masses but funny enough the masses have opened their eyes and are no longer bought with CORNED BEEF AND BISCUITS POLITICS and the flash and the fireworks and smokescreens they have their brains and eyes well wide open.

    TO A NEW BEGINNING ON THE 15 th JANUARY 2008

  25. Floyd Avatar
    Floyd

    I am going to be selfish here but the increase in the mortgage interest deduction from 10,000 to 20,000 could win my vote.

    The energy proposals in terms of solar electricity also seem quite interesting.

    The review of the defamation laws and the freedom and information act are also interesting.

    Interesting manifesto with a strong focus on governance issues.

    I also like the part on capital controls as well as the commitment to review the proliferation of government owned companies.

  26. Trained Economist Avatar
    Trained Economist

    I am particularly pleased with three aspects of the DLP manifesto:

    1. The incentives for solar energy in generating electricity for homes and businesses. Modern solar electric systems typically operate in a context where the consumer remains connected to the national power grid (Barbados light and power in our case) and is able to sell excess energy to the power company. In our case, most homes will likely be selling electricity to light and power in the day and buying from them in the night. In such a case the home should earn more from the electricity it sells than the electricity it buys each month.

    However, the big challenge is to get persons to break down and pay the relatively heavy upfront cost of solar panels for the house. The incentives proposed in the DLP manifesto will reduce this upfront cost by providing low interest loans and a tax rebate. I applaud this initiative. If this takes off we can save a lot on the oil import bill and also help the environment.

    2. I also support the stance on capital account liberalization. Given Barbados’ commitment to a fixed exchange rate I believe caution on capital account liberalization is warranted.

    3. I am also pleased with the statement that a DLP government will seek financing primarily from the capital markets rather than rely on the NIS scheme. I would have like an even stronger commitment which said that there would be no borrowing from the central bank.

  27. Avatar
    Anonymous

    DE BUMBLE BEE // January 6, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    As a BLP supporter for UMPTEEN years…….last night in Carlisle park I felt
    SHAME to hear Owen Arthur talk about CHINA !

    As my party leader & PM……Owen Arthur has not answered me NOR thousands of BARBADIANS about the presence of so many CHINESE in Barbados working without WORK PERMITS !

    So how can he link the DEMS to TAIWAN….where is the evidence my…PM ?

  28. Avatar
    Anonymous

    WIV.
    The volunteers at Noel Lynch’s offici gave him a bomb shell the other night.as soon as they were finished there,they all put on their DLP yellows with the ‘I wid Dem’ logos and went to a DLP meeting…….he sat in his car with his head down between his legs like a wounded puppy….guess he knows what to expect soon.

  29. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Floyd, at this late hour you want me to believe that you have not decided how you are going to vote? Ah doubt ya!! You had years of crap/chocolate from a BLP government and you ain’t decide yet? Ah doubt ya!! I am putting it to you that you are not undecided at this late hour. You are either not going to vote or you are going to vote BLP. We all get to live here after January 16th whether we vote or not, whether the DLP or the BLP is elected. You know what else Floyd, we also get to live with our consciences for all of our lives, they do not go on vacation unless we are hypocrites.
    If you are happy with the BLP well go with them, you still get to live here and complain like anybody else. If you cannot see that 13 years is a bit long for anybody to remain focussed you are blind. I ain’t got anything against you since you might very well be my next door neighbour but you ain’t fooling me that you are an undecided voter.
    Political meetings may be a gauge of what the country is feeling but lots of people refuse to break up their sleep to listen to for the most part a lot of crap. I was a decided voter years ago just waiting until the date was fixed. Ah tired!!

  30. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Where were the crowds when Geoge Payne was in St.Lucy on Friday night..I only saw about 20 persons listening to him…

  31. Floyd Avatar
    Floyd

    But I am saying what I like about the DLP manifesto. I do not understand your comments.

  32. Softman Avatar
    Softman

    I am rapidly losing faith in the credibility of the Arthur administration.

    I had actually been taken Arthur seriously when he said that the DLP promises might bankrupt the treasury and ruin the economy. Some of his latest policy proposals appear at least as expensive as the DEMs’ proposals. I am sensing the abandonment of any fiscal responsibility in the quest for power.

    The BLP seems to be trying to backraise the DEMS. Surely after being in power for three terms you should be running on your record and not trying to backraise the other side.

    I cannot take these BLP promises of tax cuts for example as anything more than electioneering. Elections were not constitutionally due for several more months. The Arthur administration had an opportunity to present another budget and implement any such proposals. They seem like wild promises in an election.

  33. Softman Avatar
    Softman

    The Arthur administration had three terms to implement legislation about the disclosure of campaign funding. I have no time now with Owen’s nonsense about Taiwanese finding the Dems’ campaign. Owen and clearly are clearly awash with money, where is theirs coming from.

    Owen Arthur is facing an increasingly uphill battle to get my support at this point. Under serious electoral pressure for the first time, he looks a less than steady hand on the ship.

  34. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The BLP are only getting large crowds at the big events. The DLP are pulling more people ..evidenced by St. Geoge, Carrington Village, Western compared to the few at BLP meetings

  35. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Floyd // January 6, 2008 at 8:00 am

    I am going to be selfish here but the increase in the mortgage interest deduction from 10,000 to 20,000 could win my vote.

    “could”= indecision=undecided=??????

  36. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I really do not mean to quarrel with you Floyd but this election is really going to be “a paradigm shift.” I can feel it in my bones, I can hear it in the words spoken and I can’t sit this one out or make the wrong choice. I feel as though I am fighting for my country’s future. I may be feeling wrong after all I am only human but tell the truth I am afraid of 5 more years under BLP governance. So for you to be saying could all like now ain’t funny to me.

  37. donald duck Avatar
    donald duck

    The followers of the dems have short term memories when it comes to the promise to increase the mortgage interest deduction to $20,000. In 1992 the dems removed the mortgage interest deduction completely. Do you really believe they will now come and double it. The dems who praise this intiative need to thank the blp for bringing back the deduction and also for increasing the personal allowance to $25,000

  38. Softman Avatar
    Softman

    As far as I am aware the deduction is 10000.

  39. donald duck Avatar
    donald duck

    softman.

    the dems are proposing to increase the $10,000 home allowance to $20,000

  40. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I can sense change is in the air..everywhere I go I hear people saying we got to get rid of them

  41. David Avatar
    David

    The strategy by Arthur to back raise Thompson has worked in the past. It was calculated given that he knew at the time the DLP would have released their manifesto in Passage Road.The feeling of a need to change the incumbent is very strong. It seems that Thompson needs to assure a distrustful public that he has a competent team and the outcome of the next election is his to win. The doubt about Thompson’s leadership has reduced somewhat but has he climb the hump.

  42. Softman Avatar
    Softman

    While the BLP policies outlined so far appear to simply be vote catchers the DLP has gone for some solid ideas which are not typical vote catchers.

    The governance stuff is not really vote catching.

    I agree with “trained economist” the policies for solar power seem quite good.

    what will the voters go for?

  43. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I cannot understand this thing about David’s ability to lead. David has more experience than Owen when he became PM.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    I cannot understand this thing about David’s ability to lead. David has more experience than Owen when he became PM.

    Anonymous~it is all about perception. Thompson has had a rocky past maintaining credibility with the public based on a number of issues which are well documented. Only last night the IMF 1994 issue was referred to by Arthur. The public will have to decide if this is a different time.

  45. Avatar
    Anonymous

    At the same time how does the public feel about Owen when he calls and curses people who differ with his point of view;calls people ‘indentured servants’; who gets drunk in public ( check U Tube for his presentation at Mascoll’s nomination); is responsible for Barbados at the lowest level in the Human Development Index ( 34 under Arthur and 20 under Sandiford);……

    The only way we can change that perception is to stop saying that David is not ready.

  46. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Arthur is no genius.

    On the subject of Economists as far as we are aware Anthony Wood and Reginald Farley are trained Economists as well.

  47. Softman Avatar
    Softman

    The “genius” of Owen Arthur in econo0mic management is certainly being seriously analyzed for the first time. I suggest you read a critique posted on BU by Floyd a few days ago.

  48. Wishing in Vain Avatar
    Wishing in Vain

    The arrogance and dishonesty of this last gov’t is second to none, they DO NOT DESERVE another chance they have had 14 years to put everything they now attempt to rush into place, they are at sea with the world and the feeling around them mainly because they have been studying the wealth of their bank accounts while neglecting the people and the peoples business.

  49. Wishing in Vain Avatar
    Wishing in Vain

    LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW BEGINNING ON THE 15 the OF JANUARY.

    The arrogance and dishonesty of this last gov’t is second to none, they DO NOT DESERVE another chance they have had 14 years to put everything they now attempt to rush into place, they are at sea with the world and the feeling around them mainly because they have been studying the wealth of their bank accounts while neglecting the people and the peoples business.

    Maybe our robust discussions over the extended period was worhtwhile after all.
    THANK YOU FOR SUPPORT AND YOUR EFFORT.

    FORWARD TO A NEW BEGINNING ON THE 15th OF JANUARY.

  50. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Arthur have fooled us and many especially BLP supporter have allowed Arthur to fool them even though we now have a lower standing in the Human Development Index and the ability to repay loans.

    He has helped the rich and have neglected the poor. Three of them ( Mia, Lynette and Clyde) tried to fool us before Christmas by promising a reduction in the prices of food items. They should now come back and apologise to the public instead of Arthur saying complaining that the retailers do not pass on the savings to the consumers.

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