Hartley Henry’s column as originally posted in the Advocate 18/07/08
Very often I am asked to explain the nature of work of a Political Strategist, especially in what can be termed “non political season”. Most persons would associate this writer with the conduct of general elections, but in the majority of Caribbean states, elections are held once every five years. Therefore the question of how I keep myself busy and how I remain relevant to and needed by clients is frequently asked. The short answer is that during the “political down season” I focus on advising clients against actions, utterances and behaviors that could be harmful and perhaps even fatal to their chances of victory next time around.
Examples of this were in abundance during the just concluded budget debate in parliament. I have no reason to support the Barbados Labour Party or to wish to see that organization returned to office in the near future. But, as a student of politics I couldn’t help but observe some fundamental errors, the cause and origin of which would have to be placed squarely at the feet of the Leader of that party, Mia Mottley.
First, Mottley should not have attempted to reply to the budget. Receiving the mantle of leadership under the circumstances that she ought not, by itself, to be viewed as overnight acquisition of all wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Whether Mottley wishes to accept it or not, she has an image problem in Barbados. The jury is still out on whether she has the credentials to become a modern leader of Barbados. She is articulate and known for her male-like aggression in politics. But she brings much more than intellect to the table. She touts political baggage of a nature not previously associated with any aspiring leader of Barbados.
The just concluded budget was the first delivered by David Thompson since his assuming the office of Prime Minister. The state of the economy in Barbados is foremost in the minds of Barbadians at this time. One would have thought that the Barbados Labour Party would have nominated its most respected voice on economic matters to deliver its reply to the budget.
Owen Arthur might have gotten arrogant and even vindictive in his latter years as Prime Minister but he is still a respected voice on issues pertaining to the economy and the fiscal options of this country. A David Thompson budget responded to by Owen Arthur would have been an enthralling encounter from which Barbados could have benefited. Rather, because of the hasty decision by Owen Arthur to give up the leadership of his party in the wake of its defeat, he and all Barbados were forced to endure three hours of rambling diatribe that at the end of the day added nothing to the national debate of ‘whither Barbados’ in the throes of a regional and international economic, energy and food crisis.
Not only was Mottley lacking in focus, but also she ought to be tutored in the art of ‘where and when’ in politics. This was the occasion for her to be seen in a statesmanlike manner. She needed to display glimpses of her political maturity and growth in her new position. Rather, her inability to acknowledge ‘anything good’ in what her opponent does, as well as her tendency to want always to “take her opponent out”, did little for the softening of her image, which the new Vidal Sasson hair style and designer clothing are intended to achieve.
Previously I wrote on the folly of political makeovers, especially in circumstances where an individual is already defined by the public. I did not think David Thompson needed to look like anyone other than David Thompson to be embraced by the electorate of Barbados. I thought then and still feel now that Thompson was put through the hottest fires and the coldest winters by the Barbadian public, to ensure his preparedness for the job. He did not become Prime Minister of Barbados one day sooner or one day later than he deserved to.
Similarly, flashy hairstyles and designer female clothing are not going to significantly alter the image of Mia Mottley in Barbados. She is already defined. Her party will have to determine whether it can risk going into an election with her as its leader. But, dressing her like a political mannequin is not going to change the image that most Barbadians have acquired of her.
Voters in Barbados have always been very discerning in the selection of their leaders. Sir Henry Forde and Sir Harold St. John were among those rejected in the past 30 years, not because of their lack of intellect or grasp of politics, but because of other deficiencies that were no where near as damning as those associated with the current leader of the BLP.
So strategically, the Labour Party is making some errors. Its public makeover of Mia Mottley is becoming comical. The change is too drastic. She simply does not look right. Then, there is the issue of her declaration of $3.5 million in assets. That, I predict, will prove a costly political error. This is not ‘political hunting season’, therefore that stunt will be placed under the microscope at a later date.
Next week we shall analyze why Mia Mottley was unable to identify with the positives of the 2008 budget and whether her indifference to sensitive issues had anything to do with her never having caught a school bus, not being a parent and having never come face to face with poverty or other social hardships.
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