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Update:Hamilton Lashley Resigns From The Barbados Labour Party: Will Sit As An Independent In Parliament

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by TREVOR YEARWOOD

HAMILTON LASHLEY, who was Minister of Social Transformation in the previous Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Government, has landed a top job with the present Democratic Labour Party (DLP) administration.

Read full article in the Nation Newspaper
Mr. Hamilton Lashley - St. Michael South East
Mr. Hamilton Lashley – St. Michael South East MP
Updated – Audio Clip, Hami Resigns

Member of Parliament Hamilton Lashley is scheduled to appear on the Sunday Brasstacks Show on VOB92.9 FM today. Click on the following link VOB92.9 FM link and follow the discussion.

BREAKING NEWS: Hammie an Independent

Published on: 9/11/08.

Populist politician Hamilton Lashley has declared his independence.

The St. Michael South East parliamentary representative announced on Thursday that he will be sitting as an independent when Parliament reconvenes on October 7.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parkinson Community Centre located in the heart of his constituency, the popular grass roots politician broke ranks with the Opposition Barbados Labour Party. His departure reduces the party’s numbers in the House to just nine seats. In explaining his decision to leave, Lashley said:

“I have searched my heart and soul for reasons why I should remain a part of the parliamentary group of the BLP. I certainly observed in the dying stages of that administration a shift from the policies and emphasis that I promoted in the interest of the less fortunate and downtrodden, which in my view became less important to those persons of influence.”

Lashley’s declaration ended months of speculation which reached a fever pitch in the last 24 hours with rumours of his imminent departure spreading throughout the island. As recently as August 23, Lashley indirectly addressed the rumours, saying that he was “a B- a Bajan.”

“I solely fight for the rights of poor people and the underprivileged and it is that that guides me,” he said then in an interview with the NATION.

He said then that the time for partisan politics in Barbados had past and during his announcement Thursday, he dedicated much of his time to that position.

“There is not another time in this country’s history that Barbadians need to rally more as one and as a people. There are too many challenges and the world is now a global village. If we continue to play partisan politics in this country, we will continue to be a declining nation.”

His support of the governing Democratic Labour Party in the Budget debates in July stirred talk that he would re-join the DLP which he left in November 1998, after initially winning on their ticket in the 1994 elections. However, at the very end of his presentation yesterday, he made his position clear, stating:

“There are people in this country who think that because you are poor, you can be bought but I am not for sale and my beliefs are not for sale. The perception is that I will be going over to the DLP and it may surprise some people but when Parliament reconvenes in October, I will still be on the opposite side but this time as an independent member of Parliament supporting any social policy or measure that is beneficent to the poor people of Barbados.”

Courtesy of www.nationnews.com

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164 responses to “Update:Hamilton Lashley Resigns From The Barbados Labour Party: Will Sit As An Independent In Parliament”

  1. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    Most politicians of stature enter politics to make a difference, help their constituents, and to do what they think is best for their country. As a politician in order to make a difference, it is not enough to be elected; you have to have power and authority, to get things done.

    An astute politician works within the system available, or tries to effect change of the system. It is quite possible for a politician to be liked by his people, but in terms of benefit to his constituency, he is less able to deliver than another politician, who is less loved, because of the difference in “power” base.

    There is a difference between being charismatic, nice, honest and being effective. It is possible for the above to coalesce, and find a representative with those qualities; however, as a politician you must have a “power” base, without it you can be ineffective in the system we have.

  2. John Avatar
    John

    Yardbroom

    If Hammie-La resigned and won as an independent now he would bestride Parliament like a colossus.

    Politicans these days are perceived, rightly or wrongly, as entering politics only to make a difference to their bank accounts.

    That is the extent to which things have changed, or maybe remained the same.

    Hammie – La winning as an Independent now would show all politicians, current and aspiring, what it means to actually make a difference.

    … but he needs to do it now.

    If he just hangs around (just because he can) he will lose the opportunity to really make a difference to the whole sorry political scene in Barbados.

    Will he take the easy way out?

    He of course can and everybody will continue their silence.

  3. J Avatar
    J

    Question

    If the people had returned the BLP to office in January would Hamie-La still have resigned from the party?

  4. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    The reality is that the break up of the relationship is founded on the fact that from the outset not many were willing to support mottley for the post of leader of the party but her temper tantrum aside she was elected as leader.

    Does she have the support of the majority from within her Parliamentary group??

    The answer is resonding NO, so what would you expect in a situation such as this one when because of your belief that due to your Mottley family entitlement she should be the one selected to lead the opposition party in opposition?

    It will always be difficult for her to lead in a group that you are not perceived as a leader of hence the unrest within as has been so clearly shown up in parliament and outside of Parliament.

    Trust me Hammy is not alone in his position he is but one of a few who are ready to throw in the towel, if we consider Arthur’s driving both Rawle Eastmond and Glyne Wuk for Wuk Clarke back to see re-election as he did Hammy they would be very comfortably relaxing in their armchairs at home listening to Brass tacks or Tell It Like It Is rather than taking abuse from beast such as mottley.

    It has been said on this blog before that mottley will suffer the same fate that others before her have suffered, she is no better a person than some other former leaders and many would suggest she is of a lesser man than many before her were therefore her demise is not unexpected it was only a case of how soon it would manifest itself and it took a mere 9 months to do so.

  5. Observer Avatar
    Observer

    I always wanted the BLP opposition numbers to be in single digits. Slightly dismayed the electorate didnt do it on Jan 15. Now Hammie la has made wrong things right. 20-9 sounds perrrrfect. Thanks Pine Rasta.

  6. Q Avatar
    Q

    whenever a woman enters the picture======TROUBLE !!!

    in reference to Mia
    and to my friend J

    research that J and make sure you provide all the citations in the correct and approved manner -ha ha ha ha -ha mi la

    nevertheless — J —
    I agree with your asking of the question about -ha mi la above

  7. J Avatar
    J

    My dear Q:

    I can’t believe that for once you and I agree on something.

    A good day to you.

  8. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    Question:

    When people try to degrade one another, is it that they believe that they are any better? I wonder?

    Sorry, that is only a party thing? Did not realise it. How sad.

  9. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    J // September 12, 2008 at 9:38 am

    Question

    If the people had returned the BLP to office in January would Hamie-La still have resigned from the party?
    ===========================

    ha ha ha ha if such uh ting had occured. I think the bigger question would have been “are bajans crazy?” 🙂

  10. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    J

    I will attempt to answer your question objectively and the answer is maybe.

    I say so for two reasons: 1. On the one hand there would have been no free school bus fares or houses to push him over the limit.

    2. On the other hand he was already feeling the squeeze of the party politics and started to think that he had to make his own way.

  11. Tony Hall Avatar
    Tony Hall

    I said in previous blogs that Mia Mottley was not going to last this term as Opposition Leader and Hammie-La’s departure is just the beginning of the end. It is known that George Payne and Dale Marshall don’t have too much love for Mia. There were times when the BLP was able to mask its internal problems giving the public the perception that it was united. This is no longer the case. This is a new day. The cracks are becoming bigger and bigger. Look for a bye-election or two soon.

  12. A True Believer Avatar
    A True Believer

    I hope that the DLP left that deceetfull so an so out. Hamila is not to be trusted,he backrase us once before.

  13. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    Tony Hall you are perfectly correct in your reading of this situation it will also be the day when the rest of them finally set themselves free of the harassment and hassle that they endure from the mottley thing.

    The truth is that mottley will continue to struggle as within her grouping she is seen as one serving the wishes of the rich and famous so much as was done by Owing See Thru Arthur.

    She is going to sink to her lowest level while going thru this period and yet she will not still learn the reasons why she is in the dump heap as she is presently.

    Lord help mottley should arthur dismiss her and retake the reins of leadership as it appears that he is master minding from the sidelines in his brand spanking new BMW.

  14. John Avatar
    John

    Adrian Hinds // September 11, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    Q // September 11, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    NEW MATHS

    10- 1 =8
    ===========================

    ha ha ha ha ha ha,….. still not use to counting George Payne present. 😀
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    A little bird is telling me it isn’t George Payne and that indeed 10 – 1 = 8!!

  15. John Avatar
    John

    ….. so I guess I’ll have to wait and see if Hammie La does resign his seat as I think he should and run as an Independent.

    It may come down to a choice of timing.

    The BLP is in a bit of a pickle because it has to figure out what exactly Hammie La’s motives are and whether it will have a war to fight on two fronts!! ….. that is if the little bird is right.

    Life goes on, …. you can’t hold it back.

    A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do and I say,…… just do it!!

  16. Someone said the 'BLP Stalwart' Avatar
    Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’

    I cannot and will not attack Hammie the man. As a politician, it is obvious he has two major problems. He is a leader who has the incapacity to follow; and he by his actions has transformed himself from community helper to the independent post of crumb-snatcher. On both counts I will suggest Hammie’s mileage as a politician is quickly approaching zero. As a man, a reasonably good man, I suggest he bows out of politics before the tarnishing becomes more widespread. A word to the wise is sufficient. If you continue to hunt with the wolves and eat with the pack, there is nothing independent or noble about your motives or intentions.

  17. John Avatar
    John

    Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’ // September 13, 2008 at 4:03 am

    If you continue to hunt with the wolves and eat with the pack, there is nothing independent or noble about your motives or intentions.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    You got that right, but in Barbados anything goes.

    With other matters up in the air he may feel to put a little pressures on his former masters but his former masters need to bring those matters to a head or remain in a pickle.

    It doan look good.

  18. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    I do hate when people speak “in tongues” or as if this blog is a signatory to the Barbados secrecy act. Guys the cold war long been over. Stop wid de little birdie tell me something and be out wid it. Bajans too love to hoard information and play king pin wid it. 🙂 Lookuh lookuh I know someting that you don’t, dah fuh lick yuh!

  19. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    John (From 12th Sept 2008 9:18 am)

    I am not against Independent Politicians, but the politicial graveyard in Barbados is full of them…and most have been very good men.

    Politics is not only about being good, honest etc (Politic: shrewd; artful) the politician must be able to accomplish. The success of a politician can be judged by what he has achieved for his constituents; are they better provided for than they were before his representation, and how he/she has influenced change for good on the National stage.

  20. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    I will suggest Hammie’s mileage as a politician is quickly approaching zero.

    Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’ some may even suggest this was the case when he first departed the DLP to to join your clan of crooks.

    What goes around comes around is what I am saying.

    I wait to see which one will be next to give mottley the bye, bye as what we see left in opposition really are not her loyal supporters like pretty boy Blarney MM Lynch that would have supported her every move and her every wish, she has none like that ( I mean loyal supporters and I do not refer to Gay or Lesbian) in her camp any longer, she is nothing more than a sitting duck or others may suggest a sitting elephant either way she is an easy target to be brought to its knees and new well liked leadership installed by her removal from the post.

    After all what will Duguid think about his position of having to be an opposition politician for the remainder of his political life?

    When he could be making real money in his dental office where he is known to charge for implants that are unsucessful ( they should be someone to appeal to when he does this kind of slackness ) but will he want to continue under the hopeless mottley with no success or opportunity to get more contruction contracts from gov’t for his fly by night construction company.

    Much to ponder on, many more questions than answers for mottley and her clan.

    All is well with my soul, can mottley stake claim to this as well????

    Somehow I think not because she has been involved in too much wheeling and dealing so too arthur that they must be uncomfortable in their trying to rest at night, let us not forget to mention HALLAM NICHOLLS either he too has much to answer for his own voicing that he would never have to work again and he stopped counting when his person wealth reached $ 25 Million is itself a digusting revelation, I understand that he has stated that he is concerned that he will be made the scapegoat for Owing and the clan of crooks, but my friend when you make your bed you must sleep on it, you had no problem when you and Owing were raping the treasury nonstop so do not get too upset now the investigations into your actions are ongoing, remember the SSA lets start there and go forward.

  21. Jahdread Avatar
    Jahdread

    I saw this coming for a while and be sure he will join the DLP. He is appearing opportunistic. It is strange that the current prime minister is willing to work with him, given the comments on Mascoll’s character during the election period, after he left the DLP. It will be interesting to see what the future holds.

  22. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    As the PRIME MINISTER THE HON MR DAVID THOMPSON recently said when he was approached about the vast number of Bees seen attending the DLP Gala evening event his comment was to know was to warned, so he is no fool to this type of person after all when the place could be filled with the Glyne Bannister’s the Gray Broomes et al type we know their reasons for lurking around purely to secure work from the new gov’t.
    Bannister for one should be ashamed of himself with his name firmly attached to every bad deal in the past 14 years of the life of the blp, the DOUBLING OF THE PRICE VECO OIL STORAGE FACILITY, THE MORE THAN DOUBLING OF THE PRICE OF THE VECO PRISON, HIS INVOLVEMENT IN KINGSLAND, LAND AT HOLDERS, the list is a long sad one but yet the gov’t changes and quickly enough he is seen at every political function sponsored by the DLP, he has an abundance of guts and no heart.

  23. Someone said the 'BLP Stalwart' Avatar
    Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’

    Wishing in Vain it is about time you change your handle. You spew nothing but negatives, personal attacks, and a venom that tells me that you are a vicious and spiteful person. If nothing else, people in Barbados have resolve through the law courts. There is also a public attorney via the agency of a consumer’s protection body. Let’s get real and deal with the issue. Last I heard, the persons whom I knew last to be calling people crooks were looking through the stained aperture of crooked eyes. Enough of you.
    Jahdread, I am a loyal member and supporter of the BLP. I have respect for Hammie. However, looking at the political stage, if he remains an independent throughout this term, it is obvious he would not seek re-election. That means, party politics will be the vehicle for the next MP of St. Michael South East. Hammie, if he does make a switch will entertain more than enough opinions on his credibility and equally bad on his integrity. In the simplest of terms, I believe Hammie has committed political suicide. Any damage that may appear to threaten the foothold of the BLP in the constituency or for that matter the leadership of the party, is grossly exacerbated in the context of party politics in Barbados.
    The BLP will reorganise quickly, time is on OUR side, and we will find a willing servant of the people to carry the banner in the constituency. For my own part, I thank Hammie for what he managed to contribute over the years.

  24. David Avatar
    David

    @Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’

    How is it that he is committing political suicide when it is known in Barbados that former Prime Minister had to beg him to run in the last election? Implied is he has no interest in elective politics.

    BU would advise him to resign and run as an independent to test the credibility of the independent politician and possibly signal the emergence of a new politics in Barbados.

  25. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    I will suggest now that your party Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’ will go thru many changes and alterations in the coming hours, weeks and months to try to come to grips with your rejection by the people of Barbados.

    I also will futher suggest that you have no hope in hell retaining that seat and that the people of St. Michael South East wil opt to elect a person that will be seen as capable , willing and able to assist them in their needs and that can only come from one source the candidate for the DLP has it within her grasp to do so, so no amount of nonsense talk about a caretaker person being installed by the blp has any merit or sense.

    As for turmoil within your party you were able to mask it when there was power and office at stake, but no longer is this the case, so much so your own MP’S were openly seen disputing the decision by mottley to reveal their accounts so much so one was heard saying to the other this mottley plan has backfired on has Toppin.

    Yes you are in TURMOIL AND CONFUSION and so it will stay until you oust mottley and her entitlement feelings.

  26. Avatar
    Anonymous

    @ WIV

    You are a prime example as to why most people are becoming jaded by politics. It’s this very attitude that will turn off the young people who voted for the first time last elections.

    Let the chips fall where they may.

    Maybe Hammie Lah was kicked out.

  27. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    David,
    He has no chance as an independent politician whatsoever, his best option is to seek the help of the ruling party for the people he served and then quietly remove himself from elective politics and let the electorate make the decision.

    My forecast is that at the end of the process the result will be 21 – 9 and in the next roll of the dice 22 – 10 as I orginally predicted prior to the elections.

  28. David Avatar
    David

    @WIV

    We are not sure that Lashley could not win as an Independent. Many Barbadians voted for the DLP last election by default i.e. there is a disillusionment and cynicism which is creeping into the Barbados politics.

    MP Hammie Lashley is not seen as your traditional politician, he is seen as a man who genuinely wants to help people. For the sake of our political system he has an opportunity to be a trailblazer.

  29. Diaspora-ite Avatar
    Diaspora-ite

    Lashley was elected on a BLP platform. If he believed that he was no longer in harmony with BLP positions, he should have resigned from Parliament, the seat declared vacant, and a by-election held in which he could run as an independent. It is quite possible that, running as an independent, he would have won handily…but I doubt it.

    This type of political posturing occurs wherever the Westminster Parliamentary model is followed. It is IMHO improper and allows a maverick like Hamilton Lashley to ride the coat-tails of a political party into office, and then declare his independence.

    Any time an M.P. decides to change parties, resign from his/her party, etc., the seat should be automatically declared vacant and a by-election called.

  30. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    Diaspora-ite I support you call fully.

  31. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    You guys are too party political but independent candidates won seats in Parliament already and there is no reason why that can’t happen again.

    I am only writing this because I have not spoken to him and I do not know his plans but I will risk to bet you that Hammie runs as an independent and wins too.

    One wonders why the PM is willing to work with him? That is because the PM has been well advised.

    You may be speaking as a middle class person but I want you to speak as a resident of the Pine because except for some staunch party supporters, they are truly fed up with politicians.

    Hammie has nothing to lose and I believe that he knows that he is the best chance that any Independent candidate has to win right now and he should test it for the benefit of Barbadians.

    But even if he does not win, he will score a substantial amount of votes; more than any independent candidate ever.

    It is because of this party politics thing that Hammie lost a lot of good friends in the process and he will tell you that. This is something new to him, because Hammie do not lose friends and believe me, as simple as that sounds, it took a toll on him.

    I am therefore not surprised at this outcome, but from here (remotely), my assessment is that he is being advised by his supporters not to look for any of the parties.

    You see that photo in the newspaper where all those fists were joining at the centre. Well that photo is very instructive if you know who the people are in that photo; and you know what? They were obviously willing to take that photo.

    Did you see that TV clip with the rastaman sitting or stooping. That also said a lot, especially about the feelings of the youth. Yes, that one single, sole rastaman represents a multitude of youth.

    Think about the fact that Hammie has cultivated a lot of friends and well wishers within the bureaucracy of both the public and private sectors. That is how he helps people.

    Hammie is not your average politician at all because when it comes to relieving poor people from their stress he would find himself in the enemy camp and all; and not for himself, because if it was, that he would not go.

    Remember the principle which he holds, “No obstacle is greater than the cause”. This is a true representative of people.

    I look forward to his resumption of the days before party politics (ironic enough) and once this happens the people are going to see true representation, as it is far different than the earlier days when there was no network.

    So I am not surprised at the opportunistic charge being laid against him. Nor that people would say that he has come to the end of his political mileage. That is a narrow view and for sure, there is a bigger picture.

  32. Someone said the 'BLP Stalwart' Avatar
    Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’

    I will throw another eye opener at WIV and similar others. The Prime Minister and President of the Dems is anything but a fool. He is politically astute to know that any rash decision on his part can have implications for him, his party, and the make-up of Parliament.
    1. If the PM within the space of 9 months of a general election accept Hammie back into the Dems it has repercussions for one of his Vice Presidents.
    2. If Hammie then decides to call it quits and a bye-election is near, this does not necessarily augur well for the Dems. Many promises made that should have gained momentum by now are stagnating just where they started — in the minds of men with dubious motives. This would suggest that it is risky for a Government in power for less than a year to let Hammie wonder too far as an independent. They certainly would not want a bye-election and they would not cherish the thought that in a finicky way a loss is possible.
    3. The young people across Barbados appeared to have supported the Dems for change; these same young people (and I am sure some of them believe they have been misled) would not necessarily choose sweetheart Undene because she has repeatedly tried and failed to gain their acceptance. In this regard, I believe Mia and the Bees’ objectives would best be served in getting a young person that connects with that constituency to set up permanent camp. With or without Hammie’s backing, more options remain open to the BLP than to the Dems or Hammie. I am sure that Thompson is aware of all that I have written.
    Result: Hammie’s resignation presents a dilemma both for him and the Dems. His political standing is now seriously faltering.

  33. John Avatar
    John

    Adrian

    I understand that due to family commitments a man I had high hopes for may be exiting politics and a seat may become vacant.

    If Hammie is playing games to see what happens he should think again because life will pass him by and his opportunity to make a mark will vanish.

    He has a remarkable opportunity to act incisively to show up the party system for what it is.

    He hasn’t got much to lose but he can win alot for us ignorant Bajans.

  34. Juris Avatar
    Juris

    I think that this thing about Hammie being for poor people is being overblown. Could anyone fairly say that the BLP and the DLP were not for poor people? This does not mean that your measures will benefit poor people alone. What kind of society would you have then? What is Hammie doing that is any different except talking about it? It’s all a matter of ego, as far as I can see.

  35. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    Juris

    You can’t be in touch?? You can’t be serious?? The BLP is traditionally known for its support of the upper class over the poor and it tried to change this perception under Owen Arthur.

    As to what Hammie is doing for poor people? Don’t ask him, ask the poor people.

  36. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    What was Hammie’s margin of victory in the last elections? As far as I can remember, it wasn’t that much. Is it that he lost votes because he ran on a BLP ticket? I believe that if he runs as an independent, Undine would beat him, since she’s been cutting into his popularity for some time now, plus she’s working for the government doing what Hammie did for the previous one and I don’t think the P.M would use Hammie to do the same thing and cut into Undine’s support.

  37. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    John

    “He has a remarkable opportunity to act incisively to show up the party system for what it is.

    “He hasn’t got much to lose but he can win alot for us ignorant Bajans.”
    ********************

    Right on target and a few more Independent candidates would sure keep governments on their toes. Barbados is in a two party stranglehold, where it does not seem to make much difference changing parties in Government.

    Having said that, thank God for free education and bus rides for the children to take advantage of their schooling. Fundamentally important.

    On the other hand, thank God for the Ministry of Social Transformation under Hammie because a lot more people working now and a lot whose houses were caving in on them have comfortable homes and I have to wonder if he would have been given this opportunity under a DLP administration. Be honest!

  38. Juris Avatar
    Juris

    ROK, you tell me to ask the poor people what Hammie has been doing for them. Are they still poor in spite of everything?

    And that nonsense about the BLP being for rich people…it’s time it was put to rest. Politicians are about themselves first and anyone else thereafter.

  39. David Avatar
    David

    Why are we generalizing? Is Lashley your everyday politician? Can we say that he has been motivated like your average politician? His focus even before politics has been about helping people, maybe it is his weakness i.e. his focus like Don Blackman always skewed in favour of welfare/social programs.

    Maybe we should discussed Lashley’s actions in this context.

  40. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    Scout

    You are right that Hammie could not get Undine’s place. That would be unconscionable of the PM and downright unfair to Undine.

    However, I think that the reduction which Hammie received was as a result of a swing. Consider that as it is now, taking out the party factor, he would more than likely retain the votes of party supporters from both sides who voted for him in the previous elections.

    Hammie is the only politician I know who caused an inordinate amount of people to break their party ranks and vote for him. He has demonstrated that he has raw support, independent of any party from day one.

    Maybe he could not have become so entrenched without prior party support, but is that a crime? Politicians are known for using people, what if they get used this time? We can now talk about opportunism in this context.

  41. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    Juris,

    I don’t know what you have against poor people. Being poor is a state of mind. They will obviously be still poor but better able to maintain themselves.

    So because they are still poor, what are you saying? He did not give each (or any) of them a million dollars. If the BLP is for poor people, shouldn’t they be rich now?

    You think that the BLP being for the plantocracy and for the upper class is a myth? Well you cannot change history. Not arguing with you on that either but what I will say to you is that whenever the DLP does something revolutionary for the people, the BLP tries to ride on its coat tail.

    A good example is free education which some BLPites are trying to claim for Grantley Adams, but a selective process of bursaries could hardly be counted as free education and more like typical colonial mentality. Wonder what was the criteria for bursaries and how many could get as apposed to free for all and sundry.

    You ask what has Hammie done? So what has Owen Arthur done that you can tangibly see, yet he is probably the best leader the BLP has ever had.

  42. Someone said the 'BLP Stalwart' Avatar
    Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’

    ROK, I am sorry that you appear to allow partisan politics top blind you about truth. Any politician, and I am buzzing bee, that tells you that one party is for the poor and another for the rich — they are liars. Deal with historical facts. Free education was introduced under Grantley Adams. It is also true that Errol Barrow extended and concretised this. I have no problems in Barrow receiving the accolades. Collectively, the greatest social revolutions in this country would have been achieved at different phases and under both DLP and BLP regimes. I do not consider ‘free busfares’ a social revolution and we also have to await the logevity and sustainability of this programme since it runs contrary to free market principles for which the country has to grapple with. I hope it succeeds and is maintained. There will be social and economic costs that may indeed lead to disruption (I hear one sector already crying out) but it is much too soon to measure its overall impact. For your information as well, the Ministry of Social Transformation played and continues to play a vital role in the Barbados economy, although from inception it is riddled with accusatory fingers. This ministry was not the brainchild of Lashley, although I know that he wanted to do even lots more to assist persons. Please bear in mind that there are rules and processes that govern the way people conduct business in government that may actually impede the delivery of social welfare programmes. It is a systems problem and not a party problem. Your very last rhetorical question is either put as mischief, or it innocently reflects your ignorance on the social development of Barbados coupled with an emotiveness which is attached to partisan politics. In the post-independence period, we have been blessed with Prime Ministers that have made some mark on this country’s progress. If you are willing to accede to a vain attempt suggesting Arthur did nothing, then you must reject Hammie as well. For it was under Arthur that he was allowed to make a contribution. If you feel that Arthur and Hammie could have done a bit more, we can find some consensus although I will point you to the fact that reduction in unemployment is no mean achievement and that in itself would have provided tremendous opportunities for people to help themselves out of the poverty trap. All I am asking, that while as political supporters we carry different views on some policies and practices, to deny the contributions made in making Barbados the number one developing country is another starting point for collapse. Give each political party and government their just rewards as well as their lashes, but stay connected with the facts less you kick down the pedestal upon which you stand.

  43. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @ Someone said the ‘BLP Stalwart’ // September 13, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Fair comment. I think you misunderstood the context of the comment though, because I actually suggested that if there was no Owen, Hammie would probably not have made the contribution he did.

    One point that we will disagree on, is that awarding bursaries to some cannot constitute free education within the concept of a right to education and therefore there is no need to make a concession here to the DLP.

    Actually to call that free education is misleading. If you are going to continue that argument then I would re-label and call it “free education for all”. There could then be no argument.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    Additional to what you wrote ROK BU questions the sustainability of many of the jobs which have been created in the former government.

    We all know that the employment numbers are still being influenced by the construction sector and several capital works projects, in fact we are starting to see a slow down and a correlation on the employment number.

    While we welcome the boom in the construction sector there must be diversification in job creation if a country want to boast about low employment.

  45. Diaspora-ite Avatar
    Diaspora-ite

    ROK wrote:
    “You may be speaking as a middle class person but I want you to speak as a resident of the Pine because except for some staunch party supporters, they are truly fed up with politicians.”

    ROK, I don’t know how you manage to get class involved here. Think for a moment what would happen with a party-less parliamentary system. Gridlock! Each independent would pander to the electorate and the result would be EVEN MORE special-interest political pandering as deals would have to be done to keep the country running.

    The Westminster “first-past-the-post” system of elections probably should be replaced with a system of Proportional Representation.

    What is needed in Barbados and elsewhere, however, is fewer politicians and more statesmen. It has been said that a politician thinks only about the next election. And that is true because the number 1 constraint in politics is to get re-elected. By contrast a statesman, like Sir Grantley Adams and the Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, thinks about THE NEXT GENERATION.

    In defense of Mr. Lashley, he certainly appears to have the interests of his constituents at heart, and for this he is to be highly commended.

  46. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @ Diaspora-ite

    Well maybe I should have said people who have secure, reasonably paying jobs. It is really a problem here. You see, when you are working you feel so comfortable that you can’t understand why others don’t have a job. You usually rationalise it by saying that they don’t want work or they are lazy or good-for-nothing.

    Many of those who were unfortunate to lose what they considered to be a secured job, realise how hard it is in-between jobs; some never get back a job. Some are constantly in and out of jobs for many reasons and this in itself is a struggle. Then they realise how hard it must be for poor people; but don’t worry, this is short-lived because many only feel that way until they get back a job

    So, many people at that level are insensitive to the unemployed, under-employed and poverty. This is what I should have really explained rather than short cut it by saying middle class. Just a question of terminology.

  47. John Avatar
    John

    Has Undene been busy after elections?

    Going by the numbers for the last three elections she should beat Hammie under ordinary circumstances ….. but Hammie has it in his hands to make the circumstances extraordinary.

    He has to make the decision for himself if to force a by-election but the longer he waits I think the more power he loses.

  48. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    John
    Hammie has been used by many persons. Those can afford to pay their bills would take them to Hammie who would get them paid for them, sometimes out of his own pocket.Therefore, when the DLP lost, he jump ship so that he could carry on his duties. Now that the BLP has lost, he’s in trouble because he can’t return to the D’s to continue what he was doing, plus Undine was working steady but not as benevolent as him. The spoke in his wheel is that Undine is now also doing for the DLP what he was doing for the BLP, so he’s left in no-man-land. This is the end of Hammie because once he can’t pay these people bills they would gravitant towards Undine for assistance and dump him. This is the harsh thing about politics.

  49. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    John

    I am inclined to disagree with you. I think he may very well lose a bye-election now.

    In the absence of party support, It would be safer for Hammie to show that he can properly represent the people as an independent.

    He has four years in which he can make contributions in Parliament. For sure he will be judged on the wisdom of these contributions and his political savvy will be tested by whether or not he obtains timely and critical assistance for his constituents.

    Consider also that he may very well wax as a philosopher in Parliament, now that he is on his own agenda. He has a lot of experience to pass on.

  50. John Avatar
    John

    ROK // September 13, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    John

    In the absence of party support, It would be safer for Hammie to show that he can properly represent the people as an independent.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    My feeling is the safe way will condemn him for he did not procure the seat as an independent.

    He got it representing himself to be a BLP man with BLP resources behind him.

    If he stays as he is he will, I think, lose his position entirely.

    No matter what he did or does or will do for the poor, he is saying to me he is not to be trusted and worse does not trust himself to stand up for what he says he believes in.

    Maybe he doesn’t really believe in Hammie La.

    He could as well go back to the DEMS!!

    …. exept there is Undene and if he were to do this and be accepted back ….. man …….. back to the politics of inclusion.

    Somebody would want locking up then.

    He has little to lose by being bold.

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