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Think Before You Speak Says Prime Minister David Thompson To Mia Mottley

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Statement Issued By Prime Minister David Thompson (10 March 2010)

Prime Minister David Thompson

Think before you speak – that’s the advice Prime Minister David Thompson is giving to Mia Mottley in response to the Leader of the Opposition’s criticism of adjustments in Cabinet portfolios. Thompson said there was no greater indication of political combustion than in the situation where of the 10 talents given Mottley in January, 2008 “one has left the party, another has effectively left the country, a third has technically left the Parliament and the others are split down the centre in respect of their loyalty to her and her predecessor’.

“Prudent leadership in the 21st century demands continuous review and assessment.  A confident and competent leader must not be afraid or unwilling to effect change. Certainly, I would not condone a situation where every Sunday afternoon, half my parliamentary team is going north with me and the other half south with somebody else”. The Prime Minister continued: “Furthermore, in these challenging times when all hands are needed on deck, I would not condone a situation where one member has a foot inside Barbados and the other afar, and where my most experienced member absolutely refuses to sit with the Parliamentary team, even to discuss fiscal and economic theory.

“Imagine a Leader of the Opposition having to sit in a classroom at Cave Hill to discover where her foremost spokesman on economic matters stands on the issues of the day. Even worse was her having to prevent him from speaking, on one occasion, for fear of what he might say. I am not sure that persons living in such glass houses should attempt to throw stones in any direction,”

Thompson chided Mottley for her comments in relation to changes in the Senate, pointing out that the two outgoing Senators had left the Upper Chamber in good standing and perfectly positioned for higher office. “I am not sure the same can be said in relation to the change that was made in the senate a few months ago by the Leader of the Opposition”.

In respect of the seeming marriage of Mottley and Ex-DLP Senator, Peter Millington, Thompson said he would hold his analysis of that development for a later date, but quipped: “If you are asking about the presence of Rev. Dr. David Durant vis-a-vis the absence of Peter Millington, I think you should let other church leaders in Barbados give a perspective on that”.

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87 responses to “Think Before You Speak Says Prime Minister David Thompson To Mia Mottley”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    In respect of the seeming marriage of Mottley and Ex-DLP Senator, Peter Millington, Thompson said he would hold his analysis of that development for a later date, but quipped: “If you are asking about the presence of Rev. Dr. David Durant vis-a-vis the absence of Peter Millington, I think you should let other church leaders in Barbados give a perspective on that”.

     

    Millington and Mottley getting married? Where did this come from all of a sudden?

  2. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    David

    I am not interested in the back and forth chatter between Thompson and Mottley I am interested in good Gov’t and ensuring that Barbados is positioned to recover from the world wide economic turmoil. I don’t really understand all the cabinet changes in two years as I wonder what these do for stability of the Ministers or the country. Winning an election is one thing Governing the country is another

    On a lighter note all of these Cabinet changes and not even a sniff for the Crown Prince of Moon Town or should that be Clown Prince?

    As to Millington I thought that he resigned to focus on building his earthquake; hurricane; tsunami shelter after all he predicted a natural disaster would hit Barbados. The interview that Millington gave to Barbados Today told me all I needed to know about him when he complained that he couldn’t get the ear of a Minister to talk to his “multi millionaire” pal.

    I think Mottley should steer clear of Millington what does he have to offer? Still it would be interesting from a political point of view especially at mass meetings with Mottley telling the faithful that Thompson is out to get them and Millington ending with prayers telling them not to worry about Thompson because the world is coming to an end.

  3. Micah Avatar
    Micah

    The Prime Minister seems to have scored some points in pointing out what seems to be a schism in the BLP related to the former Prime Minister Owen Arthur and Ms. Mottley. However, his reference to that reminded me of his own troubles several years ago when there was division in his own party, and people were predicting the implosion of the DLP. That didn’t happen, Mr. Thompson emerged as a strong leader, and the rest is history. Will something similar happen to the BLP? Only time will tell.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    Get use to the back and forth because that is what politics is made of. The concern remains that a Barbados recovery must be externally led i.e growth in tourism and FDI. If the global economy remains sluggish Barbados will continue to be affected and there is nothing we can do about it. Our debt to GDP has ensured that we have little wriggle room to initiate any major developmental or transformational initiatives.

  5. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    As far back as 2003 and even before. Someone name “Fyta” penned the following.

    Mia-Amor Mottley has had a glittering political career. Still less than 40, she is Deputy Prime Minister of our country, and a dominant presence in the decision-making processes of the Cabinet. Inevitably, the next Prime Minister?

    From a young age, Mia was surrounded with the memories of her grandfather’s political conquest of Bridgetown, and as her father moved between the BLP and the DLP, was on “Uncle” and “Aunty” terms with the leading politicians of both parties. Nurtured by her dynamic uncle Elombe, who moved between his Yoruba yard and CBC, she also came in contact with many of the most important artists and musicians, and cultural figures. She herself was niece, on her maternal side, of the gifted photographer Art Tappin, who was a CBC cameraman, and thus cousin of the saxophonist Turo Tappin. On her paternal side, one of her cousins in David Comissiong. Growing up in the 70s and early 80s, both in Barbados and in New York (where her father was briefly Consul-General), she breathed the air of that political and cultural awakening of the Afro-Atlantic world which found expression at various times in Black Power, Rastafari, Crop Over festivals and so on. This era made a deep impression on her, and many of her more creative initiatives in government– such as the proclamation of Barbados’s National Heroes – may be seen as expressions of that influence. All the same, the teenaged Mia, one gathers, was one of those privileged darker-skinned people who were considered by the management of the now extinct Carlisle nightclub (which was famous for its racist admission policy), to be honorary whites. As it was, growing up on the hills above Sandy Lane, she had easy entree into many of the worlds of white Barbados. But she has the wonderful political gift enjoyed by Barrow of being able to slip into and fit in with Barbadians of every social class and origin.

    What is not known by many is how close Mia was to the inner world of the DLP in the 1980s. Along with two school friends, one afternoon after Queen’s College, she helped write the lyrics of the calypso “The Dems are Ready/ To Stop that Party” which was performed by Gabby in the 1981 election campaign. She was close to Barrow, and even closer to Richie Haynes. Had the DLP not begun its long process of self-destruction after the death of Barrow, it is likely that she now would be sitting on the same side of the house as David Thompson.

    Mia is not an intellectual as such– her reading is not extensive, and she is not really interested in looking at matters in too abstract a way. Her record at school and university was very competent, rather than distinguished. She was not a Barbados Scholar—- and there are some Harrison College people who ascribe her role as Minister of Education in revising the terms for the Barbados Scholarship, so that teacher’s asssessments at the Community College, rather than examination results, decide most winners, to her desire to cheapen the status of that prize she did not win.

    But she is sharp as a razor, and her high intelligence is expressed both in her capacity to speak and write, and, even more valuably, for a politician, in her sense of political tactics and management. In all the victorious BLP election campaigns of the last 10 years, Mia Mottley has been the most important tactician, with a sure sense for style and symbolism. Her genuine passion for live music – Kaiso, Dub, Soca, Ragga —has given her a sense of the spectacle and the crowd, and a feeling for the pulse of young people. She is far and away the most distinguished politician of her generation.

    But is her coronation inevitable? I consider it likely, but would give two warnings. First, it would please the Barbadian public if she found herself a good husband. (That en me, that is just how people see it). Second, and this is more serious, she needs to be extremely careful about her relationship with the Prime Minister. In Trinidad, Eric Williams had two golden boys — ANR Robinson and Karl Hudson-Phillips — both of who bigged themselves up too early as the successors to the Prime Minister, and both were then destroyed by the force which had plucked them up. In Barbados itself, her sometime mentor Richie Haynes– by many measures the brightest of his generation in that DLP government of 1986, although not perhaps in matters of tact and timing – was destroyed by his patron Errol Barrow, who in that fatal speech, not long before he died, declared that the line of succession after his death would be Sandiford and then Graves.

    She is running two risks. First, the jealousy of her political contemporaries, and some older people, who will hide their ambitions and resentments, just as Sandiford did with Haynes, or as Kamaludin Mohammed did with Hudson-Phillips, but will do their best when the right occasion comes to stick in the dagger. Second, there is the danger that the Boss will begin to view her as a rival, and as a threat to his authority.

    In the political history of the Caribbean, being the Prime Minister’s ‘bright young thing’ and protégé carries the same risk as flying too close to the sun.

  6. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    It is the People of Barbados vs the DLP and BLP!!!

    Having seen in the BarbadosToday on line newspaper of the 9 th March 2010, what were some of the reasons for the Reverend Peter Millington’s resignation from the Senate and DLP last year, the more and more fortified we are in the view that both DLP and BLP must be sent packing within the next 7 years or so from the parliament of this country.

    A careful perusal of the reported reasons would indicate that Mr. Millington did the right thing then. For, according to the Barbados Today, he said, ” I didn’t want to be in a situation where you were supposed to be part of a team but not considered one of the team members. It is difficult to function properly if you are surrounded by people who are not cooperating the way they should. I didn’t want to be part of a party anymore which celebrates some and tolerates others. My thing, is they should not have asked me to be a Senator in the first place, if they did not respect me. For example, I had a multimillionaire who wanted to talk to a minister and that minister did not even return my calls. That type of arrogant behaviour is one of the main things that triggered my resignation from the party. The arrogance and the insolence I have seen ……..I did not expect them to behave in the highhanded manner I have seen after being in the opposition for so long”.

    Well, the DLP – since the death of the late great Errol Barrow – has NEVER been the party that used to care very much for the feelings and plights of the ordinary people of Barbados, and that in the 1960s and for the early part of the 70s really used to advance the lot of the poor and the underpriviliged of this country using an array of social engineering techniques and methods . And believe it the DLP WILL NEVER REVISIT SUCH TIMES, for men and women are usually born of the times that would so much prevail.

    But, in the meantime, the DLP has been reduced to being essentially a sterile ananchronistic political instrument through which a small self-centered conservative band of middle class secular professional people wage “war” or militate against or frustrate the fundamental interests for better and brighter of the wider masses and middle classes of this country, significantly more often than not on the behalf of most of the socio-political elites of this country and some foreign elites too, and in exchange for sums of filthy lucre and properties from them, and that of the temporary honour and prestige of being with them.

    The same thing applies to the BLP. Only that this party would have been practicing this very virulent political class warfare, some times turning the turrets on their own, long before the DLP. IT too – as has been shown over the years – will NOT either return to the BLP of the 40s and 50s and of the late 70s and early 80s. Too, many a parliamentarian and non-parliamentarian have left the BLP for some of the same reasons that Mr Millington stated he left the DLP for. One of the last light-heavy weights to leave the BLP was Mr. Hamilton Lashley – Parliamentary Representative for St. Michael South East – who – on 10 th of Spetember 2008 in publicly announcing his resignation at the Parkinson Community Centre in the Pine (part of his constituency) – was reported to have stated: “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 emphases that I promoted in the interest of the less fortunate and downtrodden, which in my view became less impotant to those persons of influence (in the party).” – taken from a local news website.

    Mr. Lashley also went on to say at that political event, “There are people in this country who believe 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 beneficient to the poor people of Barbados” – taken from the same local news website.

    Well, it is a pity that Mr. Millington and Mr. Lashley – who can garner fairly significant followings of their own in this country – have starkly failed – based on their own bitter experiences – to properly lead and direct as many people as possible away from the dirtiness, corruption, nepotism, cronyism and cliquism in the DLP/BLP; away from the misrule of both DLP/BLP Governments; and away from lack of progressive and transformative social, political, material, and financial policies and measures of these parties, and towards the building of a new and better Barbadian society, by at least coming together along with others and forming their own people-centered progressive parties, with very egalitarian policies and measures – for the benefit of the country’s further growth and development – being at the centre of the platforms.

    Verily, it seems that these failings have largely come through their own desires – as much as they criticise one party or another when leaving – to benefit hypocritically still from the damned DLP and the blasted BLP and the fortunes of their major principals and connections, personally and otherwise and in the present and in the future. No wonder why the masses and middle classes would appear ever so often to be being sold out by so many so-called politicians in this country. And no wonder why many have become so disillusioned and disenchanted with party politics ( NOT so much politics/government) in Barbados.

    So, that is why too the broad masses and middle classes must put their faith and confidence in newer parties ( NOT so much individuals ) that have stood the test of time in honestly presenting and advocating better for them and for the country, and so much away from the hopelessness, despair and misery that have been sown by those two idiotic factions, esp. at this time of great political social financial turbulence locally, regionally, and internationally. For, certainly, this is the way to go!!

    We oblige!!

    PDC

  7. David Avatar
    David

    On a different note, BU understands Sir Richard Haynes is ailing.

  8. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    But is her coronation inevitable? I consider it likely, but would give two warnings. First, it would please the Barbadian public if she found herself a good husband. (That en me, that is just how people see it). Second, and this is more serious, she needs to be extremely careful about her relationship with the Prime Minister.
    ————————————–
    The latter warning was not heeded and has borne fruit, …is the former now being comtemplated? I have long warned politico’s that if they do not contain negative talk and perceptions about themselves in the public space it will consume them. So, if by “marriage” as Thompson is reported to have said, he means the legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife. Wedded to Peter Millington could bring more laughter and redicule, than any measure of relief from the current perception. Let him know and Mia be warned that the stories of his “exploits” some 20 years ago as Mr. piano-man in the “Piano Bar” of the former Club St.James are still raw, vexatious and waiting to be told. lol!

  9. Negroman Avatar
    Negroman

    PDC
    Excellent article.Your articles are very well presented even though a bit long winded.I enjoyed reading many of the articles the party posted and I would encouraged the party to press on.I total agree with the party and the call for Barbados to be rid of the two major political parties in the corrupted Barbados Labour Party & equally corrupted Democratic Labour Party.Never again would I ever leave my home and go and cast a vote for any candidate of those 2 politically paralyzed,intellectually bankrupt & waste of time parties.

    The people of Barbados must wake up from the their political backwardness and stop supporting these political parasites that poised as politicians from those 2 political entities.

    Prime Minister David Thompson & his administration has acknowledged that Barbados is in a serious financial situation.He has instructed every department in the government service to reduce their expenditure.Cuts have been made in all areas.Departments were instructed not to bring on any substitutes for workers who are going on vacation,study leave or special leave.Only in extreme circumstances would substitutes be considered.

    Yet this same David Thompson has increased his cabinet to a record 21 ministers & parliamentary secretaries.The largest cabinet in the history of Barbados.Many of the ministers have half day ministries.For example,Steve Blackett ministry of community development & culture a half day ministry.George Hutson ministry of International Transport & International Business another half day ministry.Dr Dennis Lowe ministry of Environment,Water Resources & Drainage a half day ministry.Those ministries I have outlined could be merged with other existing ministries and relieve the taxpayers of Barbados the burden of paying salaries to a bunch of incompetent jack asses we have as ministers in Barbados today.In addition,many of those ministries have overlapped with similar responsibilities, for example Chris Sinckler ministry has responsibility for urban,rural & constituency matters.A portfolio similar to the portfolio of community development where the biggest jack ass who was ever made a minister in Barbados Steve Blackett has responsibility for.

    A country the size of Barbados does not need a cabinet with 21 ministers to run the affairs of this small nation.This country can be run efficiently with at least 10 serious,competent & committed individuals who have the welfare & future of Black Barbadians at heart.

    David Thompson cabinet is to large & a reduction in the size should have occurred.

  10. BRAIN POWER (BP) Avatar
    BRAIN POWER (BP)

    David Thompson is a leader ?
    David Thompson might feel so and in the minds of some bajans who believe in ignorance, he might look like a Prime Minister whatever the phuck that means but a leader ?
    Give me a break !

  11. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ PDC

    Sadly you have difficulties identifying opportunists and frauds.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @Adrian

    What is this story waiting to be told? Was it in the public domain or is this exclusive stuff?

  13. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Don’t know if it is public. I suspect that it is not, after all his transformation from gigalo, fornicator, wife abuser, to be, not only a christian man but a christian sheperd of men, seemingly went unnotice and or challenged. I laughed when I saw it. The man I know by that name was always on the lookout to make or to be a quick buck. But people can and do change. The piano man can change too. lol! But it is still to be confirmed if Thompson was using “marriage” metaphorically or not.

  14. Just stop! Avatar
    Just stop!

    “Prudent leadership in the 21st century demands continuous review and assessment.”
    David Thompson

    We couldn’t agree with you more. However, your actions have revealed that your cabinet is most incapable of doing the job.

    Should we now come to expect a reshuffle every year.
    Is this your idea of good governance Mr. Thompson.

    Stop playing politics and run the blasted country. And while you’re at it, do lose some weight. You look like a stuffed pig in a suit.

    Please, I’m sorry I voted for your party and this bunch of losers.

  15. Johnny Postle Avatar
    Johnny Postle

    Lets face it, and I have said this before, Thompson have some weaklins in his cabinet but his biggest poo poo was when he refuse to go the way of ITAL. This is the sword that will stab him deeply in the next election. This is the reason why many believe he is no different than the last administration.

    With BLP leader, Mia Mottley maybe articulate but she certainly is not exercising commonsense. She should realise that bajans loved her as just simply a minister or AG. But as an aspiring leader whose vocal tones sounds like she would flog the whole country into her ideals, still seem not too understand that it will be a cold day in hell before bajans can accept her style. Being brilliant is not everything but a show of compassion and consideration can go along way. I am telling you again Mia Amor Mottley, there are too many skeletons in your closet and in your administrations closet as well for you to be always playing opposition. The country is in dire need of help. Try to help or show that you are helping instead of digging. Remember you and your administration are being blamed for the current economic mess. You are also being blamed for 14 years of plundering. Right now bajans are not so trusty of you politicians. I say again rethink your strategy and come again. Bluh Bluh Bluh

  16. David Avatar
    David

    Interesting point made by Barbados #1 Political Scientist Peter Wickham (who Bush Tea continues to chase off BU) yesterday on CBC. He is of the view the government has the expertise to negotiate the current economic challenge and hence he does not see any hope of a bipartisan approach which some have called for in Barbados; including the Prime Minister. His logic was routed in the fact the traditions of the Westminster System of government with the Speaker sitting like a referee between the two sides of the lower house breeds adversarial politics. He went on to say the congressional system in the USA with a circular debating house facilitates a bipartisan approach. Ironically President Obama recently declared he has given up on the dream of achieving a bipartisan approach in the current period of his term. Remember he campaigned on bringing CHANGE to Washington.

    Wickham also opined that the only occasion he could see a coming together of the government and Opposition in Barbados would be in a crisis born out of a natural occurrence. We find hies opinion oxymoronic because a crisis should be seen as a crisis and not how the crisis was created. We have been told by former US Federal Reserve Chairman the current crisis is the worst ever in world history.

    Maybe Peter can show some thick-skin and return to defend his position on BU. Yes we can be somewhat robust at time but in the main the BU family is about reaching the truth.

  17. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    David, Peter Wickham is right, on Westminster and US system. Obama’s lost on Bipartisan work in the house is nonsense. Obama refuse to use his office as the bully pulpit it should be, to get the US congress to act. He refuse to do so because the US congress is controled by Democrats, as is the WhiteHouse. He did not want to give appearances that the real stumbling blocks to his agenda becoming law is due to infighting amongst house democrats. Have you not seen the big fight between Ralm Emanuel and representative Massa?

    Westminster in our currently constituted parliament: The current LOTO has no choice than to attempt an orchestrated fall of the current Government. Infighting amongst the opposition benches with the LOTO not having the loyalty of all their equals in parliament and none from the rank and file of their party, places them in a position of having to prove that their are worthy of being LOTO. When would you want them to prove their worthiness? Mia Mottley has one opportunity to be PM of Barbados and it is in the next election. She knows it is now or never.

  18. David Avatar
    David

    @Adrian

    Your point is taken, the theory of the two systems is understood. The point to be made however, it is a flawed system which in a period of prolong economic crisis would not be flexible to accommodate bipartisan approach. Why would we want to polarize the country at this time?

    Do you mean that Mia Mottley jokeyship for leadership is now at the expense of the national interest?

    About the Massa and Emmanuel spat did you notice Massa refuse to mash any Democrats corns when interviewed by Beck on FOX?

  19. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    On Mottley, yes! she has been confronted with a bad economy, and questions and threats to her leadership abilities. The LOTO’s position is not one for a newbie to demonstrate their leadership qualities. You have to be seen or perceived as having that prior to, and then use that office to magnify and cement that perception.

    Mottley has never been altruistic about public service. Such is a means to an end; the end being power and control, and being ensconced in Barbadian historybooks. Her rise to power in the St.Micheal North east constituency has been bought and paid for.

    I don’t have access to foxnews. However it is clear that the Democrats had settle on two unpopular issues, and are now facing the wrath of the American people and may loose control of the US congress, this year, and the whitehouse in 2012. This wrath as seen in the Scott Brown election and the tough relection many incumbents are facing has lead to the infighting and indecision amongst the democratic majority US congress. So massive is the wrath of the American voter that even republican incumbants are facing potential electorial defeats this year.

  20. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    Negroman,

    Thanks for your comments and for the encouragement given. The PDC agrees with everything that you expressed about the DLP and the BLP. And keep on – where necessary – advancing and defending – on here and elsewhere – the interests and rights of those black people in Barbados that are daily being trampled upon by certain human actors within and without this political system of Barbados.

    Enuff,

    Our contribution was NOT significantly about that but was about using the situations with Mr. Lashley and Mr. Millington and other relevant cases to show why the DLP and BLP are essentially the same, and that therefore we have to really get the rid of them within the time frame spoken to.

    PDC

  21. Fair & Balance Avatar
    Fair & Balance

    There are similarities between this DLP government and the Obama Government. They both came in promising change and have delivered little except a lot of long talk. Obama is a lame duck President after his first year and the only reason the Thompson administration will get another term is because the opposition under this current leadership has shown that it has very little to offer. (its like moving from diddle dumb to diddle do or is it the other way around).
    I would like to suggest that we reach out to some of the ex-leaders (Owen/ Sandi/ Richie/ Branford/Henry) to sit down with the current leadership to guide them through the next 3 years but the invitation should be void of the politics of the previous invitation. We really need this as the current leadership D or B seem incapable of dealing with this crisis.

  22. Albert Avatar
    Albert

    I must say that all of you who write on this blog are very bright: You know how to solve the economic problems the entire world faces. You know how to solve all the social and political problems. You know how to get elected without making promises. You know who is a good leader and who is not.

    You know what will and will not bring down politicians. You know how to run a country without taxation. You know how to get FDI, economic restructuring and stability all at the same time.

    What brilliant people!! Where have you been hiding? Do you all have doctorates and Think-tanks named after you? Are you professors?

    As to Negroman, who is a bright undesirable, with an insatiable appetite for insult, innuendo, subterfuge and sickening sensationalism, I think he needs psychiatric attention because he is clearly a senior public officer in our country who seems to need high maintenance.

  23. Avatar
    Anonymous

    @ Negroman

    There is some merit in arguing that the cabinet is too large and should be reduced, BUT do you expect to be taken seriously arguing that International Transport & International Business, Environment,Water Resources & Drainage are each half day ministries?

    The same International Transport and international business that support our number 1 and number 2 economic sectors?

    The same Environment that has become so critical in recent years due to concerns about climate change and beach erosion that could in turn threaten our number 1 industry?

    The same Water Resources that is so critical in this time of drought, urgent need for mains replacement and better water resources management?

    Gimme a break man.

  24. ''''''FIRE''''' Avatar
    ”””FIRE””’

    The DLP should win one (1) seat in the next election
    The 1994 election result would therefore be better than the next election for them.

    Sorry but all the shite talk and grandstanding will not fool the people-Things hard and recession or no recession, the people should vote against the DLP because the people would want to see a change in their situation. The BLP with a proven track record would therefore capitalise on this reality.

    I dont see how the DLP can win the next election if it is fair and free.

  25. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    PRESS STATEMENT FROM
    THE HON. MIA AMOR MOTTLEY Q.C., M.P. –
    LEADER OF OPPOSITION OF BARBADOS, AND
    POLITICAL LEADER, BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY

    “THE EMERGING BLACK HOLE IN BARBADOS’ FINANCES”

    An enormous black hole has emerged in the country’s finances. It is a black hole of proportions never seen before in our history.

    What compounds the Government’s dire financial position, the Estimates of Annual Revenue and Expenditure the Minister of Finance has put before the House of Assembly leaves unexplained how he will raise $466 million out of a $1.5 billion financing gap.

    Prime Minister Thompson is unable and/or unwilling to say how, where and from whom he will find one-third of the country’s financing requirements. To simply say that it will come from “OTHER” is a breach of trust, and makes a mockery of Parliament and Barbadians.

    It is unheard of in our history that a Minister of Finance can approach the Estimates Debate with a level of uncertainty as to how he will finance the Government’s Programme.

    The Minister is committing the country to a level of spending without knowing how he will pay for it. It is like going to Courts and taking out a washing machine, a television and a living room suite without knowing how you will pay for it.

    If he does not know how he will fund this gap he must level with the country and not take us down this path of financial peril. If he does know, then he must equally be frank with the country and tell us whether it will be increased taxes and user fees when people and businesses have no more disposable money? Will it be the sale of assets other than the BNB, which has already been committed to refurbishing or building a new hospital? Or is this a secret deal with the IMF and the World Bank? Is he hatching a deal that he is afraid to admit to the public that allows him to leave this gaping hole? Or will it be a combination of all?

    All sections of Barbadian society are prepared to share a burden but the Government must earn the right to ask for that through its competence, its honesty and its commitment. Barbadians who want to trust the Minister of Finance will find it difficult to do so with this enormous financial black hole.

    How will Barbadian households and businesses know what to prepare for in this next year?” – ENDS –

    +++++++++++++++++++++

    The above was released to the Media late this evening by: The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P., – Leader of the Opposition of Barbados, and Political Leader of the Barbados Labour Party.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    It has been reported today the World Bank met with Caricom Heads in Dominica and agreed to work with the respective countries to determine how they can provide debt for developmental purposes.

    MORE DEBT!

    Maybe this is the ace up the sleeve of Thompson!

  27. Albert Avatar
    Albert

    David, what is the purpose of that Statement by Mottley? Have you ever heard a Minister of Finance say how the entire fiscal gap will be closed in the Estimates debate? Isn’t that why we have a Budget?

  28. David Avatar
    David

    With the Estimates Debate looming, concerns about the economy operating in a global recession Mottley probably intends to build pressure in this climate by focussing on what is a big problem for government.

  29. freewilly Avatar
    freewilly

    Thompson should have thought before he spoke on a lot of issues before he got elected that is why he will lose the next election,all who believe modern day bajans memory short yah lie,bajans waiting pun you redboy.

  30. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Similarities Between Team Obama and Team David? Where???? Obama’s lame duck status, if indeed he is a lame duck, is of his own making.

    American voters are turning against Obama. Barbadians voters are yet to do so with Thompson.

    Team Obama spends a lot of time talking down to Americans. Team Thompson spends a lot of time talking to and listening to Bajans.

    Obama has a fight with Americans. Republicans are on the sideline enjoying it.

    Thompson has a fight with Mottley who has a fight with her party and herself, Barbadians are on the sideline enjoying the show she is putting on.

  31. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Speaking of “Thinking before she speaks” Mottley thought she had a great line when she refered to Minister of Health becoming Minister of Polyclinics.

    However a commentator on another blog interpret Mottley’s comment this way

    “is now relegated to Minister of Polyclinics.”

    Once again the Motley elitist attitude strikes.
    She really gotta be quite agile despite she appearance cause she always putting she foot in she mout.
    I kin just see chief DLP propagandist Hartley Henry skinning he teet at dah juicy long hop.
    After all, de polyclinics intended to service de less well off in society & since de Motley crew like dey consider it to be infra dig. to look after de polyclinics, den it follow dat de intended users ent important in she eyes either.
    In any event de Ministry of Health is a lot mo dan de QEH, major doah dat is & I wud suggest dat splitting de duties is probably a move in de rite direction.
    Aftuh all it was dis minister dat organise the move fuh de Drug Service (another service aimed mainly at poorer people) from de old condemned building dat dey was in, de same building dat de UN vacate cause it din suitable fuh any purpose.
    So if he gine now got de time to do tings like dah, suh much de better.
    De polyclinics mite now serve de real purpose.

  32. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    Yes Adrain Hinds, but at a time when the DLP is bullying public servants to take a pay freeze; is telling the police that they cannot get increased pay (I suppose duty free cars as well) while the DLP itself engages in reckless polictical spending, such as on fetes – to now appoint a Minister of Polyclinics has to be considered a “cost overrun.”

    +++++++++++++++++++++

    Thompson’s Executive is as big as that of the United States:

    Here is something else Adrain! The population of America is some 395 million. Barbados’ is some 287,000. President Obama has 22 persons in his Executive – David Thompson has the same 22, yet a fiscal crisis for three consecutive years.

    Let’s talk!!!

  33. ''''''FIRE''''' Avatar
    ”””FIRE””’

    DO NOT EVER COMPARE THE USA WITH BARBADOS—EVER !

  34. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Adrian Hinds is just anti-Obama and pro-Thompson nothing more, nothing less.

  35. Fair & Balance Avatar
    Fair & Balance

    @ Adrian Hinds
    “American voters are turning against Obama. Barbadians voters are yet to do so with Thompson”

    Where are you living man? the ground swell of sentiment in Barbados is that Thompson don’t have a clue about running a government or the economy and this is also comming from DLP supporters as well. The next election is only hard to call at this stage because of the leadership of the BLP and the in fighting. The next year or so will be very critical for the Thompson administration. If he can show strong leadership (which frankly i think he is incapable of doing) and can turn around the economy (which i don’t think he has the balls to do the things that will be needed to turn the economy around) he may just get home. Then of course if there is a change in the leadership in the BLP maybe the return of Owen Arthur then he has no chance.
    Maybe after the budget they can solicit another poll a mid term poll or better yet the BLP can do one and lets analyse the results. it may make interesting reading.

  36. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Can it be said that the BLP is providing us with a cogent and transformative set of options along with a team of people whose histories suggest imagination, competence and success? Sadly I think not. We will probably stay with the devil we know.

  37. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    @At Alex….
    lets talk about what? calling for wage restraint, freeze and or moratorium, has been a government of Barbados best practice since independence.

    @Fire
    I could heed your words, in fact I decided not to talk American politics on this blog for a while now. I was just responding to the ill attempt Obama/Thompson comparison. Yes both are Socialist democrats and Bajans are familiar with such but americans are not.

    @Enuff
    I don’t have to be anti Obama, I did not vote for him. It was easy to predict his outcome.

    @Fair & balance:
    I don’t live pun de rock, but I hearing Mottley doom and gloom predictions and timelimes not coming to fruition and seeing record number of Bajans attending DLP events. I guess I am suppose to dismiss all uh that! The BLP and its supporters don’t have a good track record of knowing what Bajans are truly saying and feeling. How else could they have been surprise till this day on the outcome of the last election?

  38. Fair & Balance Avatar
    Fair & Balance

    @ Adrian
    you hear record number of persons attending DLP events.
    That is true when these events are advertise weeks in advance on state own CBC at tax payers expense. If it is a lavish free party bajan will attend whether it is B or D especially in these economic times. At the end of the day when the party is over we still have to go back to paying high prices, seeing less disposable income in our pockets and battling with the recession. No amount of free parties and public relation campaign will help the DLP and Barbados out of this crisis.

    I think the BLP does have a tract record of knowing how bajans feel (especially under Arthur leadership) how else were they able to stay in power for 3 terms
    including increasing their majority in the second term.

    Any BLP supporter that was surprise at the results of the last election are really stupid. The writing was on the wall after 3 terms it is expected that there will be enough skeletons to in the closet for the opposition to ride on and present a formidable challenge (with a wash pan of the collapsed Clico and Stanford money and all).

    That is why Thompson fought so hard to regain the leadership of the DLP. Unfortunate for him he pick the wrong time in a very deep recession.

    About Mia predictions maybe the timing is off but i will wait and see cause it is my belief that what is necessary to get us out of this mess will require some harsh measures ever wrose than in the early 90s so don’t scorn on her predictions yet. An unemployment drop in the last quarter has traditionally been the case in Barbados since people hire additional staff for Christmas. Also what factor did the sending home of the Guyanese have on the unemployment figures?
    Just some food for thought.

  39. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    I think the BLP does have a tract record of knowing how bajans feel (especially under Arthur leadership) how else were they able to stay in power for 3 terms
    including increasing their majority in the second term.
    ——————————————————————————–

    The DLP implosion had a significant role to play in Owen’s wins and continued success at the polls; also his Errol Barrow “liked” approached.

    It is important to note that the BLP most significant role as the governing party in terms of longevity and percieved success was wrap up in the image of the DLP’s iconic leader. The BLP gave appearances via lil dipper (Owen Arthur) that it was the people’s party while most of it’s parliamentarians were out of touch, and preferred to buy votes than truly engage the people. Eventually Bajans saw the truth, that lil dipper was not in fact the Dipper and that the party of red had not lived up to the hype of being people centered. 🙂 The BLP remains true to its calling as the party of the elite, for the elite. They have in spite of holding power for 14 years turn their backs on the very person and approach central to that tenure, because they never accepted him or the approach of putting people first.

  40. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    Greetings Adrain:

    In his recent quarterly Media Conference, PM Thompson said Clico is an attractive entity and that it is no threat to Barbados. But a hight respected public servant who is bright – disagrees.

    Therefore – is Clico a threat or not, is Clico Life an attractive investment or a turnoff, is Thompson right or wrong?

    Click below to read the latest on Clico:

    http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/time-runningout-copy-for-web

    Note that a senior government official is saying that: “The problem with CLICO is that there is an assets/liabilities mismatch.” Note also that that senior government official is also saying that the EFPA situation and the $300 million payout had become a major turn-off for prospective buyers.

    Here is another expert independent view. Click below:

  41. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    I thought people said that Rawdon sounded like his father. schupse. Rawdon views on transperency, are shared by us all. Clico is a financial issue, that is partisan and does not favour either party.

  42. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    Here is what pressure from an Opposition Party, which is bright can do. This just happened in the Parliament of Barbados.

    To understand the extent of this fundamental shift in position by Thompson – you must recall the position he and the DLP took when the No-confidence motion was brought against him by the Leader of the Opposition of Barbados – The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P.,.

    Recall also what he said in his recent quarterly Media Conference. Then read what a public officer – who is bright said. Note that while Thompson was saying that Clico is no threat to Barbados and that it is an attractive entity – the public servant said that it is a “big turn off.”

    Now this: Clico will be placed under judicial management. What!!!

    Did we hear correctly?

  43. Fair and Balance Avatar
    Fair and Balance

    @ Furgusson
    Are you kidding me? the same Clico that was strong and staple ooops i mean stable. well if so its a year too late.
    Isn’t that what the opposition said should have happen? Does this mean we will have a forensic audit of the books and the management of this company?

  44. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    I waiting for the Bees to tell me how they intend to benefit politicaly from this CLICO mess. Even Rawdon let it be known that both parties are to blame regarding the potential for Clico to reck havoc on Barbadians and the Barbados economy, as far back as 2007 the signs of potential trouble with Clico where on display. 2007

    We need parliamentary reform real bad. Our form of mixed government no longer works. Concentrated power in the PM and his cabinet by way of a majority loyalty of Parliamentarians has allowed off the books accounting, major activities not being debated on, no real transperancy or attempts to unearth things and most of all no real meaingful debating to ensure that we get the best legislation possible.

  45. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    @ Adrian,

    I agree that Parliamentary reform is needed. The Leader of the Opposition of Barbados – The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P., said that much in her second reading speech earlier today in the Estimates.

    As it relates to the Estimates – It would appear that Miss Mottley proposes a system similar to Jamaica, where the Minister would be questioned on every line item and programmes for which he seeks funding.

    On the issue of accountability – perhaps that may explain why new rules for the Public Accounts Committee have been drafted and why the Auditor General from Alberta and others – were invited to do a training session with our local Public Accounts Committee, recently.

    No divide here Adrian! I agree with your second paragraph.

  46. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Alex, Mia Mottley is late to the parliamentary reform dance. Everytime that she has spoken about it, it was in the context of how she could benefit from it. No sincerity on this from her. I have her every utterance on the matter and can hightlight what was occuring with her at the time.

    Parliamentary reform was needed since 1969. Richie Hayne NDP spoke chapter and verse on this subject, Oliver Jackman use his pen and column to magnify the issues that are still in need of reform.

    Owen in his first term spoked about the constraints of our first past the post sytem. Mia saw the need for national parliamentarians (albeit true selfish eyes), Thompson question the usefulness of the senate, and how deep is our democracy, is it growing and what is being done to facilitate that growth. Fourteen years with all the power at their disposal and Owen and Mia did nothing. So far Thompson has not dealth with the Senate, he has however attempted to answer the question left unanswered when local government was done away with. The question of how do you achieve a deepening of the democractic process.

    I asked Owen Arthur to his face in Boston what are his toughts of returning to some form of local government. While stuffing his face with some chicken wings his retort then was the cost. Today he, Mia Mottley and the entire BLP are still singing the same tune about cost.

  47. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    @Alex:
    If you believe Rawdon, and tMr. Layne, why did not believe that the fear and panic on Clico initiated by Mia Mottley due to pure poltical greed would have done the same?

    Let me be a little clearer. If the finanial intruments that have a maturity date in the near furture to the tune of 300 million, places Clico in a position of being unable to pay even after sale of it assets, and that this will put an unimaginable strain on the Barbados economy, what would have been different if the Government did not seek to and successfully arrest the panic that Mia initiated?

    I want to see how the BLP really plan on benfiting politicaly from this CLICO mess. It can be argued that if Mia Mottley did not seek to destroy the DLP, and the government of Barbados, with a collateral damage kill of the economy, Thompson may not have had to issue the Government gaurantee that you are not wanting to place as burning necklace around his neck.

  48. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Adrian Hinds

    Do you listen to yourself?

  49. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Enuff do you have a counter point or points? Or you just feel to ask silly questions? schupse

  50. David Avatar
    David

    Under whose watch was this Annuity product approved?

    Question to Alex and the Supervisor of Insurance, what is the quantum of CLICO annuities currently used by insurance companies in Barbados to met their reserve commitments?

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

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