Dear Registered Voter, it is my honor to inform you that I am back in Barbados and will be offering myself as a candidate once again in the next general elections. By now I am sure you are aware that I did not get the big job that I was hoping to land ‘Over-in-Away’.
I know I told you a few months ago that I was finished with politics and that you would not have been seeing me in the constituency any time soon. I know that my departure would have shocked and pained you because I had said several years ago that I loved and cared for you and that nothing would have torn us apart. But, that is the nature of politics!
The truth is it is one thing to be in politics while your party is in government but it is a totally different experience to be in politics and not even in Parliament. I frankly do not know how people like John Boyce, Dennis Lowe, George Hutson and even Freundel Stuart could have done it for all those years. The past two years have been a living hell for me, as it has been traumatic readjusting to civilian life. You simply do not get the respect you are entitled to, as an important person in society.
I want you to know, dear registered voter, that I never stopped loving you. It is just that I had to take decisions in my interest. I have gotten accustomed to a certain standard of living and a quality of life that could not be sustained on the occasional consultancy. Plus, as you know, I have an elaborate home to maintain. At first, being an ordinary citizen once again looked promising but after two years I had to make a decision and I know I let you down when I walked away from you a few months ago.
The truth is I thought I had that job in America all sewn up. I thought that when I landed that job I would have had at least ten cushiony years up there and that by the end of that contract my pension as an ex-parliamentarian would have kicked in and I would have been able to lead a quality life, without the vagaries of politics and having to deal with constituents morning, noon and night.
I am not going to fool you. I really had no plans of returning to public life, and certainly not under the current leadership of my party. Everybody knows that I share the views as expressed by our former leader that she is not suited for that position. I am not persuaded that our people will vote for her to lead them, but I at least, just want to win my seat.
As I survey the political landscape of our party and country, I honestly believe that if we do not win the next election and I was to win my seat, I would stand as good a chance as any other to take over the leadership of our party. None of the new candidates I have seen endorsed has what it takes to survive a defeat in politics and even if one or two of them were to win, the reality is they are made of cheap political material. They are not of my pedigree. I reckon that I would be a prime candidate to assume the role of Leader of the Opposition after the next election and down the road I could become Prime Minister. That is how I want you to view my re-entry into politics. I admit there is a lot in it for me, but there could be something in it for you as well.
I know that some of you may feel I am opportunistic and that I am merely using you to pursue my own agenda. I know that had I landed that big job I probably would not have been seen or heard of in local politics again. But, life is what it is. You have to roll with the punches and play the hand you are dealt. My best bet now is to work to get my party back in government and if I am doing that, I could as well position myself to take full advantage of any opportunity that might come my way. I am being upfront and honest with you. I need to get back in Parliament because once I am in there I would be able to do what I have to do to maintain my standard of living.
I am not alone in this regard. Others will pretend they are not hurting in opposition, but I know they are. My friend from the southern west coast will be in the same position very shortly, as she did not get the big job she was expecting either. Luckily for her, she did not give up her part time job in that other place, so at least she still has a few bucks coming in.
I know that to you and others this will come across as vulgar and opportunistic, but I have to do what I have to do to maintain my style and standard of living. I know that you will be a little annoyed with me as I left you at a testing and terrible time in your life, when the country was in the midst of a recession. But the recession did not affect you alone. It affected me as well! I know that my opponents on the other side will argue that I should have remained with you and sit it out, but I know myself and I know that that type of political spade work is not for me.
It is not easy for me to hide my pride and come knocking on your doors again, but it is something I have to do, because, truth be told, there are not many other opportunities ex-ministers like myself have when once they have been voted out of office. A few of the guys with Masters Degrees are hanging out at Cave Hill doing lectures here and there and offering themselves as consultants, but I tried that and it did not work for me. I cannot live on such small money. I have therefore decided that a return to politics is my best bet at this time.
My beloved electors, kill the fatted calf for me, because, I’m back!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.