Admittedly, my comments were general and not based on empirical evidence. Three weeks ago I advised my friend it was not wise to give up her job here in Barbados and fly to London in search of employment and career opportunities. My mom, her sisters and several of their contemporaries did that in the 1960s, and it worked. They studied, got trained and worked two and three jobs and made a success of themselves and a comfortable living for those of us who relied on those Pounds Sterling and food and clothing parcels, which we enthusiastically collected from the post office.
Those were the days when even if the British did not want us or like us, they valued and appreciated the contribution we made. Today, London Transport and the public health services, nursing care in particular, are of an enviable standard because of those Bajans and West Indians who made the trek to Britain back in the 60s and 70s.
I advised against her making the move now, because as well meaning as the thought and ambition was, the challenges in balancing one’s budget here at home is not unique to an individual or income bracket, or is it reflective of a lack of discipline in personal money management. Most people are “scrunching” because this is the time to scrunch.
We are in the midst of a global economic downturn and lifestyles and approaches will have to change if we all are to cope and survive this period. My thesis to my friend is that running away is not the answer. Packing one’s bags and flying to Europe, North America or even the northern Caribbean in search of greener pastures is not the answer. People in those countries are scrunching as well.
The reality, nevertheless, is that there is no cloud with a silver lining anywhere in the world today. When I spoke with my friend and her dear friend, we based our analysis on logic and on the occasional BBC report and documentary. However, twice last week I had reason to be in the capital city of London for more than the usual ‘passing through’ period and the impression I have drawn from observation, conversations and media coverage, is that rather than Barbadians heading to Britain for ‘economic shelter’, they would be wise to begin making provision for the return of some of their relatives and friends who had settled in that country.
Life in Britain today is no bed of roses. Simply put, it is dread. Job losses are as common as dips in temperature. You are going to work each morning, not knowing whether it’s your last day on the job or even if the doors to the office will be bolted shut. The cost of living has gone through the roof and public confidence in the political directorate is at an all time low. Indeed, many of my counterpart analysts are predicting that the current Labour government under Gordon Browne is headed for defeat of the magnitude of John Major back in the 1990s.
Browne, from all reports, has failed to inspire voters. Indeed, he has failed to inspire members of his own British Labour Party. No one can point to any major commission or omission on his part, but yet the arrows of anger and vengeance are pointed in his direction.
Colleges and Campuses in London are recording diminishing attendances because students simply cannot muster the wherewith it all to attend classes. Part time job opportunities are declining because the social lives of individuals have been altered as a result of limited if not nonexistent disposable income.
This commentary is not being made today to scare or depress anyone. It is not in defense of any action or lack thereof here in Barbados. The point being made, as was shared a few weeks ago from the North American perspective, is that life today is tough and there is nowhere to run.
I am happy for the promoters of recent entertainment shows in Barbados. They made a dollar and I share their joy. But, some mother is going to rethink the wisdom of spending so much in that direction in the month just ended, come July and August when there is something called ‘back to school’.
Budget Day is approaching in Barbados and we all hope and pray that the Minister of Finance will work some magic. We will all wish to be taken to “economic heaven” but none of us will want to “die economically”. In simple language, there is no magic formula the Minister of Finance can come up with to avoid the economic turbulence we are experiencing. It is simply a rough ride. If he does not take a little, he cannot give a little.
They are those who will quibble over from whom he takes and to whom he gives. At the end of the day, it is the same pie he is seeking to share. It is no larger than it was two years ago. It cannot do much more than it did three years ago. Indeed, reason and understanding would suggest it will do less.
What is important in this equation is prioritization. I am sure, as we have seen in the past 15 months there will be tighter fiscal management and controls. There will be no cost overruns of the magnitude we witnessed four years ago. Contract sizes will be monitored and there will be greater transparency and accountability.
In the end nevertheless, though some will shout from the sidelines that had they been in the chair the streets would have been lined with gold, the reality, as we are witnessing in Britain and North America today, is that such is mere utopia.
Barack Obama cannot find a quick fix for the United States economy. Gordon Browne, as skilled and brilliant as he is, is going under because of his inability to stem the tide. Private sector giants, such as Chrysler in the United States, have thrown out a life line. The question therefore is that if none in the developed world, the industrialized world, the more prosperous developing world can find a magic formula, how credible and believable are those among us who say they can?
If they could and did not do it while they were at the wheel, why should we even listen to them now? We are living in tough times and each head of household will have to sit with those who comprise that household and work out a formula for success.
The Minister of Finance will be expected to lead and light the path, but, let it be understood, salvation in this ‘guava crop” will not come from running away from the problem or shooting the messenger.
My friends, get with the programme! Barbados is our business. We are all going to have to rally together and attend to it …or else!!
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