The health of Prime Minister David Thompson has occupied the attention of Barbadians everywhere since the news broke of his illness about one month ago. The BU household was happy to see the PM out and about on the weekend albeit showing a figure which was not as rotund as it has been in the past. When the Prime Minister broke the news of his illness four weeks ago, he assured Barbadians he would offer a further update in two weeks. Did BU miss the update? Some Barbadians may hold the myopic view that the Prime Minister’s illness is nobody’s business, not so! Barbadians continue to wait patiently for *official* word on what ails the Prime Minister.
It was last week the land which government donated to Barbadian singing superstar Rihanna in 2008 was ratified by the Parliament of Barbados. Why it took so long, BU is not sure. The gun incident starring Minister David Estwick and Deputy Leader of the Opposition has been outstanding for more than three months. BU understands the matter has been referred to the Committee of Privileges for consideration. Should we accept that the Opposition is the reason for the delay because Mia Mottley has had to replace Hamilton Lashley on the Committee of Privileges? You may recall Lashley crossed the floor?
Prime Minister David Thompson has been forced to shed his workload and this is our estimation has impacted on the scheduling of the ‘Budget’. Acting Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart has been defending its late delivery by citing previous occasions when it was delivered in the latter part of the year. Stuart needs to be reminded the need for Barbados to manage its fiscal affairs with prudence in the prevailing economic conditions than ever before in our history.
BU remains concern at the slow pace of decision making in government. For example, our best research has confirmed that the proposed amendment to the Immigration Act has not reached parliament. The Prime Minister had promised earlier in the year this matter would be dealt with by June 2010. BU is not optimistic that it will be debated anytime soon. Other key bits of legislation promised by this government are the Freedom of Information and Integrity Legislation. Now that the Prime Minister is operating on a light workload only God knows if these promises will ever be delivered.
A key promise of the government before it gained office was to allocate resources towards reducing the cost of living. Granted the global recession has overwhelmed the Barbados economy like many around the world and made that promise hollow. Commonsense should dictate however that in the current environment there is a pressing need to manage the cost of living. The government seems prepared to let the private sector dictate to the market 100%.
In the 2008 budget, at page 49, under a section called “Cost of Food and Personal Items,” Prime Minister Thompson said “Since assuming office, this issue [cost of living] has been at the centre of Government’s concerns leading to my engaging in discussions with various entities in an effort to obtain their views on the best way to deal with this issue.” “On February 28, 2008, the Cabinet decided that a Sub-Committee on the Cost of Living should be created to provide recommendations on ways to reduce the rising cost of living.” BU believes that Sub-Committee is chaired by Minister Chris Sinckler. Has the Sub-Committee ever met? In the prevailing climate is it fair to suggest there is a heightened role for such a Committee?
BU regrets to suggest that with Prime Minister David Thompson occupied with his health and he should be, the government appears to be moseying along.
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