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Prime Minister David Thompson to Address Barbadians

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Prime Minister David Thompson is scheduled to address the nation tonight (30 September 2010) at 7 PM in his first press conference since confiding details of his illness to Barbadians.  To opine that Barbadians at home and abroad will be tuned-in is probably an understatement. Since assuming office Thompson in the opinion of BU has been the most accessible Prime Minister to both public and media. It is well known ordinary Barbadians email the Prime Minister daily who is a Blackberry addict and get replies!

The government has been criticized in recent weeks for its indecision regarding how the economy is being managed. Even before the Prime Minister’s illness it was rumoured a reshuffle was in the offing. Tonight we may find out despite Senator Branford Taitt’s warning to the party if Thompson will anoint a heir apparent given his handicap.  Word on ‘underground’ contrary to the recent CADRES poll points to a healthy interest in the job by Minister David Estwick.

Let us wait and see how the next chapter in Barbados politics unfold.

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167 responses to “Prime Minister David Thompson to Address Barbadians”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    It is clear Minister Chris Sinckler is the man anointed by the PM.

    Minister David Estwick reported to have scheduled a press conference tonight.

  2. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    It seems that certain elements within the party is back to their dirty linen exposure. I was hoping that maturity would prevail.

  3. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    Yes, much given to Sinckler, but do not underestimate the position given also to Darcy Boyce.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    The PM also shows confidence in Michael Lashley despite all the attention from the Opposition.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    Fellow Barbadians, residents, friends and well wishers –

    I am honored to be spared this opportunity as your leader to renew our special relationship and update you on our partnership to build a better democracy and a better Barbados. I assure you that working together we can uphold each other and build a glorious legacy for our children.

    Last week Dr. Richard Ishmael, my personal physician, issued at my request, a full statement on the condition of my health and the challenges which have confronted me since March. I am again grateful to those of you who have responded with overwhelming love and compassion towards me and my family.

    On this occasion I have chosen not to speak to you by live telecast. The nature of my medical treatment has occasioned obvious weight loss. I would rather that you get the portent of my message rather than the picture; and be concerned about the message, not the medium.

    While we cannot control what happens to us, we can control how we respond to what happens to us. In that sense I wish to assure you that my family and I are determined to battle this illness and are fully co-operating with the medical teams here and in New York, to ensure that all that’s humanly possible is done to arrest and reverse this condition, while humbly recognizing that ultimately the Will of God will prevail. We are well aware that the future of us all rests in the hands of the Almighty. In recognition of this truth, I continue to solicit your intercession and prayers.

    The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians pleaded with the Lord to remove his impediment, but the Lord said: “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.

    Thus I am able to rejoice in hope and be gracious through faith.

    All relationships, including those between premier and people, involve times of closeness and times of distance. I have grown to appreciate you in both circumstances, and I hope your experience has been the same.

    In the meantime my reduced physical capacity has placed a strain on my ability to serve you as I would dearly want to, particularly in these challenging economic times when the signs are clear that full global economic recovery is still a fair distance away.

    One of the blessings of my extended periods in North America is the opportunity to read and observe, on a daily basis, the performance and analyses associated with the U.S, European and North East Asian economies.

    We in Barbados and the wider Caribbean should not bamboozle ourselves with the notion that recovery is dependent on factors of our exclusive design and making.

    The approach of our partnership over the past two and a half years has been to cautiously but judiciously proceed; while ensuring at all times the maintenance of a desired social protective net for the most vulnerable. We will not be deviated from this path for it is most difficult to build a lasting democracy when the needs of daily shelter and daily living remain a struggle for far too many among us on this island.

    That is why you may not have seen an abundance of buildings going up across the country, but there has been an improvement in the quality of health care, better management and operation of social welfare agencies such as the National Assistance Board, the Urban and Rural Development Commissions, the National Housing Corporation, Child Care Board and associated agencies, and the upkeep of our schools and conditions of work for public officers. Additionally, we have made the sacrifice of containing bus fares and have even offered free access thereto, to school children.

    Fellow Citizens and Friends, these are all deliberate strategies geared to cushion the shock and to minimize the impact of the economic decline.

    The weeks and months ahead will be equally challenging and it is for that reason that I have assessed the future, in the context of my illness and reduced capacity, and have determined that it is necessary and prudent that I divest aspects of my ministerial portfolio that require robust, day to day oversight.

    But before I outline proposed changes to the Cabinet of Barbados, I wish to address a matter of fundamental concern to me, as head of government.

    Fellow Barbadians, Ladies and Gentlemen, General Elections are held in Barbados every five years. Historically, in the intervening period we have always conducted ourselves in a focused, mature and patriotic manner. We have placed the best interest of Barbados foremost in our consideration.

    The Right Excellent Errol Barrow taught us that size does not have to be a deterrent to greatness. And former Prime Minister Tom Adams had a vision for Barbados that defied our limited landscape. Indeed, former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on his visit to Barbados in 2002, noted that Barbados was a country “punching above its weight”.

    If we can unite first and foremost as sons and daughters of these fields and hills we call our very own, nothing will hold us back. We did it in the 60s and 70s, and we make no wanton boast of what we can achieve.

    Michael Jackson of late memory reminded us in his song “We are the world” that change will only come when we stand together as one.

    In his seminal work he wrote:

    “There comes a time, when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one. There are people dying, and it’s time to lend a hand to life; the greatest gift of all.

    “We can’t go on, pretending day by day, that someone, somewhere will soon make a change. We are all a part, of God’s great big family, and the truth, you know, love is all we need.”

    That’s my fondest wish for Barbadians. That we use adversity to refocus our energies on what’s best for Barbados and that we wrap our actions and our utterances in the national flag and the furtherance of this great nation we call home. That’s my challenge to you. Unite and love.

    With respect to the path forward, I have today advised his Excellency, the Governor General to reconfigure the Cabinet as follows, as of October 4th 2010:

    Hon. David Thompson – Prime Minister and Minister of National Security

    Hon. Freundel Stuart – Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs

    Hon. Christopher Sinckler – Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs

    Hon. Ronald Jones – Minister of Education and Human Resource Development

    Hon. Michael Lashley – Minister of Housing, Lands, Urban and Rural Development

    Hon. Patrick Todd – Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Lands, Urban and Rural Development with responsibilities for Urban and Rural Development

    Hon. John Boyce – Minister of Transport and Works.  Mr. Boyce will also assume the added responsibility of Leader of the House

    Hon. Denis Lowe – Minister of Drainage, Water Resource Management and Environment

    Hon. Donville Inniss – Minister of Health

    Hon. Richard Sealy – Minister of Tourism

    Dr. the Hon. David Estwick – Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Industry and Small Business Development

    Dr. the Hon. Esther Byer-Suckoo – Minister of Labour

    Hon. Steve Blackett – Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development

    Hon. Stephen Lashley – Minister of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth

    Sen. Hon. Haynesley Benn – Minster of Commerce and Trade

    Hon. George Hutson – Minister of International Transport and International Business

    Sen. Hon. Maxine McClean – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

    Sen. Hon. Darcy Boyce – Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibilities for Energy, Immigration, Telecommunications and Investment

    Sen. Irene Sandiford-Garner – Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health

    Senator Harry Husbands – Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister

    Senator Jepter Ince – Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs

    These changes will accelerate the delivery of vital policies and services. I have every confidence in the public service of Barbados to implement such, with the efficiency and alacrity that is required.

    I take this opportunity to reassure you that I continue to feel greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved. Thank you for your expressions of support and fervent prayers during this testing period.

    May God bless Barbados and may grace and peace be multiplied unto all Barbadians.

  6. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    David, the Opposition attacks on Lashley have less to do with his work and more to do with recognising a rising opponent and working to pre-empt his success, certainly trying to destroy his perceived success.

    The BLP has a avvy advisor group, they analyse next moves and threats very carefully.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    Agreed Crusoe, let us hear Estwick he is said to be coming to the public shortly.

    Comment of the night from Mia Mottley, ‘she feels for Estwick’…lol.

  8. Henderson Bovell Avatar
    Henderson Bovell

    STATEMENT BY THE HON MIA AMOR MOTTLEY Q.C., M.P., LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION – TO A REASSIGNMENT OF MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS BY PRIME MINISTER DAVID THOMPSON

    “I continue to empathize with Mr. Thompson as he battles against his illness. I understand that his health has forced him to shed some of his ministerial responsibilities, and that his focus must now be on his health and getting better.

    It is unfortunate that the opportunity was lost to bring new energy and talent into the Cabinet. It was particularly noticeable during Mr. Thompson’s absence from office that his Ministers were not able to step up to the plate and were not equal to the task of dealing with the many issues facing the country.

    We therefore do not expect that changing the same people to different portfolios will have different results this time around either.”

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

    The above statement was released moments ago by the Leader of the Opposition of Barbados – The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P.,

  9. Lincoln Carrington Harding Harper-Harper Avatar
    Lincoln Carrington Harding Harper-Harper

    “Who the cow likes he licks, who he hates he kicks!”.
    A night in politics sometimes can seem like a hundred days!

    Institutions rule!

  10. David Avatar
    David

    Looks like the DLP has been able to calm Estwick down, no press conference yet!

  11. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    David
    David Estwick would be a very stupid man to try stirring up problems within the party at this stage. The problem with Estwick that he needs to think before he speaks. After having to eat humble pye when he ran on Starcom call-in program brasstacks and swore he would never support David Thompson, i thought he had learn his lesson. He seems to be a slow learner, that’s why he was put out into the fields.

  12. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @David,
    If Estwick wants to self destruct thats his choice but surely he realises that there is a lot of empathy for the PM.

    These are exceptional circumstances that requires careful planning and Estwick should chill.

  13. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    To me, it seems evident re. the changes in portfolios, that the PM had little choice but to appoint Chris Sinckler as Minister of Finance, given Chris’ very good track record and achievements in dealing with International agencies, and recognizing that Barbados will certainly have a big fight with the IMF re. conditionalities in the not too distant future. It also seems to mean that the PM has recognized the leadership qualities of Mr. Sinckler and significantly elevated his future claims for a prime ministerial position.

    All this at the expense of Mr. Estwick’s possible dreams of becoming a future Prime Minister. Indeed, the transfer of Mr. Estwick to the Agriculture Ministry, while perhaps necessary to ensure harmony between the two important Ministries of Finance and Economic Affairs could not help but be viewed as a demotion by most, especially since Dr Estwick was #11 in a list of Ministers that appear to have been ranked by degree of importance (E.g. why not list the ministers alphabetically after naming the PM and the Deputy PM if a message was not being sent to the other Ministers about their position in the heirarchy?)

    In addition, if one checks out the history of persons named to be Ministers of Agriculture in the last 3 decades or so in both administrations. It can clearly be seen that Ministers of Agriculture were generally either not persons seen as being highly competent and progressive and with significant voices or influence at the cabinet level but were either “lightweights” or quite competent persons with high political ambitions who had to be relegated to a cinderella ministry where the Ministry of Finance could ensure that their measurable performance could not challenge him.

    I suspect that Dr Estwick has been placed in that position. If so, it is also another metric to gauge the confidence that PM Thompson has reposed in Chris Sinckler and points to his anointment as the PM in waiting.

  14. Charlie Avatar
    Charlie

    Dr. Estwick stocks fell when he got involved in that ignorance in parliament. Do you feel Barbadians would vote for Dr.Estwick for PM after that foolishness?
    David Thompson is still of sound mind and therefore recognizes his government needs persons like Chris Sinckler in positions where international negotiations are constantly going on in the Ministry of Finance.
    I am backing Chris to do a good job.
    David Estwick should remember Clyde Mascoll. Had he chill out he would now be the man to be in charge. Davis Estwick has no political capital going for him right now therefore he should take the Ministry and perform like Dr Christopher Tufton Minister of Agriculture in Jamaica. Jamaicans see him as a rising star to be PM.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Charlie

    Well said!

  16. I-Prophet Avatar
    I-Prophet

    Barbadians will be forced to choose between the lesser of two evils- Mia Mottley or Owen Arthur. Since Mia is the greater of the two evils, we can agree Owen will be the next prime minister.

    DLP will lose at the hands of one individual- Michael Lashley. BLP has enough evidence of corruption to send him to jail. And Chris why did you support Michael Lahsley. You dug yourself a grave.

  17. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Little country … only quarter million … with cabinet of SIXTEEN citizen …. wow no? BWA on radio today to introduce new PR wonder woman … velly exellent … Intelligent agent still not know reason for Executive Chairman … Chairman maybe, but Executive Chairman not make chord tickle

  18. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    Another point. Has anyone looked at the possible spin-offs of the PM assigning himself the responsibilities only of PM and Minister of National Security? In the Barbadian context National Security may be essentially considered as a sinecure which the parliamentary secretary could easily handle. Therefore, and quite understandably, Mr Thompson should be able to fully look after his health and familial concerns while retaining the position of Prime Minister.

    It therefore seems as if there may be minimal chances for Mr. Stuart to act as PM at anytime when the substantive PM is in the Island, irrespective of the PM’s state of health. Thus there may be a receding possibility of Mr Stuart being able to redeem the impression that many had of his recent performance as acting PM and show his true prime ministerial worth. If this is so, it again adds to the metrics that suggest that Mr. Sinckler is the anointed one since his reassignment ensures that he can show off his considerable leadership attributes and make a difference in the key Finance and Economic Affairs ministry.

    In one fell swoop therefore, both Mr. Sinckler and Dr Estwick are handed handicaps in a future Prime Ministerial race.

    It is clear that the PM’s mental faculties are as sharp as ever.

  19. Black Cow Avatar
    Black Cow

    Deathbed Announcement?

    This sounds like a deathbed announcement.

    Why is he keeping himself as prime minister? The man seems desperate to hold on to power.

    “On this occasion I have chosen not to speak to you by live telecast. The nature of my medical treatment has occasioned obvious weight loss. I would rather that you get the portent of my message rather than the picture; and be concerned about the message, not the medium.”

    Is he now telling us that he looks like a skeleton?

  20. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    Oops!
    In my post above the second last sentence should have read:
    “In one fell swoop therefore, both Mr. Stuart and Dr Estwick are handed handicaps in a future Prime Ministerial race.”

  21. Black Cow Avatar
    Black Cow

    I think it is time for Barbados and all Bajans to wake up and face facts… we need a new Prime Minister who is fully fit and functioning.

    David Thompson needs to step out of the picture completely and deal with his personal health problems and however much time he has left. How can we have the prime minister of Barbados hooked up to some machines in New York and supposed to be running this country?

    Time to face reality, no matter how hard it may sound to some others.

    It is better to “degrade gracefully” than to embarrass oneself by appearing to be the ultimate champion in power-hungriness.

    David Thompson, step down now and end this unseemly spectacle.

    I done.

  22. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @Black Cow,
    Google Stephen Hawking and learn the difference between brain and brawn.

  23. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Maybe Black Cow run risk of insensitivity no? But Black Cow not citizen that recognize funny thing of man holding on to PM post and little bit other ..? This be no confidence in party to lead itself or this be ego… In event however, this maximum leader not very maximum at all no?

  24. Lincoln Carrington Harding Harper-Harper Avatar
    Lincoln Carrington Harding Harper-Harper

    @ Black Cow

    “David Thompson needs to step out of the picture completely and deal with his personal health problems and however much time he has left. How can we have the prime minister of Barbados hooked up to some machines in New York and supposed to be running this country?”

    Right on! It was high time that somebody looked at this dismal situation in the governance of Barbados and call it as they see it. Hants’ analogy is misguided. David Thompson is no Stephen Hawking! Clearly this whole process has been cleverly(?) stage managed, with Dr. Richard Ishmael telling the Bajan public that despite the wasting effect of pancreatic cancer on DT’s body his brain remains fully functional. But fully functional for what? I, personally, would have to poll a panel of oncologists before I would be prepared to accept that statement, and all its implications.

    It will take a while before it sinks into the consciousness of the Bajan public, after the heavy load of sentiment wears off, but trimming down the responsibilities of the PM to the bare minimum that he can manage in his condition is not a solution. After all, in our type of democracy (kleptocracy) the PM is the public face of the country. And when that face cannot be shown because the average person would recoil from the sight, what does that tell us?

    Obviously, there is a process that is being manipulated by the Rasputins around the throne, whose outcome is not difficult to predict. Sadly, in this type of “politricks” an original thinker and hard worker like Dr. David Estwick is being sacrificed. MY PREDICTION IS THAT BARBADOS WILL BE ALL THE POORER FOR IT!!

  25. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @poster above”DT’s body his brain remains fully functional. But fully functional for what”

    When one views stories of similar patients online, together with their doctors opinions, it is clear that in such cases one can be lucid and sharp until one passes, if it goes to that. That is not a question.

    The only time lucidity will not continue may be due to painkillers.

    On the issue of the statement, as David of BU indicates, a clear succession plan is now in place.

    Sinckler provides the popularity and balanced thought, Stuart as Deputy PM (who apparently did not originally want the PM’ship anyway) seniority and stability for decisions and Darcy Boyce’s ability and respected hand in guiding all other major PM responsibilities, apart from finance and security.

    This is really the only approach the PM had, in the circumstances.

    The one thing is that if there is a bye-election as a result of the PM retiring, it looks as if there will be efforts to have Senator Boyce elected.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    To those close to politics in Barbados they would have been aware of the stress Estwick has brought to the table. Also the gun incident still hangs low. It is amazing some Barbadians have already forgotten. Do we want a man controlling an important ministry such as finance who from all reports has had to consider anger management?

    Thompson is sick but he is no fool. Giving up the PM’s position opens the flood gates for an eager Mottley or possibly Arthur.

  27. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    I totally agree with Lincoln Carrington Harding Harper’s post above as well as Black Cow’s. LCHH’s post provides a clear analysis of the current situation we are in.
    It is clear that the Prime Minister is in full control of his mental faculties but not so of his physical ones since he could’nt even allow a current photograph of his face to be placed as a backdrop for the TV address and his voice was indeed weak.

    The question should then therefore be asked; why should such a gravely ill person have set himself up to be in total control for as long as humanly possible?
    Is it his great love for Barbados and his confidence in his own mental abilities that suggest that Barbados would sink if he were to demit office?
    Is it because he needs to keep a tight rein on actions, statements or otherwise by those members and only by retaining the full authority of a Prime Minister to create or cut down ministers that such control can be maintained?

    Does Barbados really need a Cabinet looking over its collective shoulder and tip toeing to carry out its functions at this time?

  28. David Avatar
    David

    @checkit-out

    The question is a simple one to answer if you follow Crusoe’s point. The PM maybe sick but still a political animal, he needs to give the new power structure being establish time to settle/ferment.

  29. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    David;
    A most excellent point above and it is interesting that you said settle/ferment. Ferment connotes some sort of chaos. Could’nt one of the effects of this “big-foot” move by the political animal extraordinaire be exactly opposite to what he is likely trying to achieve? The shuffling of cards would have damaged the political aspirations of many even though DT used the surgeon’s scalpel in this operation instead of the blunt “any number can play” instrument by the Skipper a few PM’ships ago. Some of them are independent and can survive without a Ministerial position. Is’nt it still possible that they could revolt and bring the whole ship down? Couldn’t the perception of high intrigue surrounding this situation alert the public that there is much more in the mortar than the pestle if and when they have to be involved, be it months or 2 years from now?
    Is it really in Barbados’ best interest to bless the current prescriptions and allow the situation to settle / ferment until it blows up?

  30. J Avatar
    J

    It is clear that the PM hopes to recover and if he does not recover he intends to die in office. Maybe at this point it is not so much about power, but about wanting to go out in the honorable office of Prime Minister (or maybe the faint hope of recovery). I’ve know many many people including the very old (over 85) who retained their mental faculties until just a few hours before death, in spite of profound, profound physical deterioration. Truthfully that is how it is for many people until the final sleep comes.

  31. J Avatar
    J

    I also think that the PM expects the new Cabinet to get to work and get thier jos done, instead of the present stasis the country is enduring.

  32. Black Cow Avatar
    Black Cow

    @Hants,

    Google Stephen Hawking and learn about marauding aliens.

    Stephen Hawking does not impress me. Of late he seems to be going senile.

    No condition is permanent, not even the condition of a healthy mind.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    @checkit-out

    Sometimes despite all the orchestration linked to a succession plan a leader emerges.

  34. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    At first glance I thought the P.M was putting Sinckler to breath down the back of Stuart but I understand Stuart don’t really want the job of P.M. Therefore he can groom Sinckler to succeed David Thompson in the event of the P.M retiring. This is the time the DLP should close ranks and show maturity, if not there can be back in the political
    wilderness. At this moment, the press conference by David Estwick would give us an indication of which direction the party is going in. I suspect Estwick is not in this alone, as many oldsters in parliament sees Sinckler as a young upstart. For some of them, they just kept quiet because they saw some sweets for themselves but they don’t want others to gain more than them. Boy Oh boy, Braddie’s is going to be HOT HOT HOT tonight. Arrow’s spirit is going to be lingering in the shop tonight.

  35. Terence M. Blackett Avatar
    Terence M. Blackett

    DAVID @ BU

    Thank you for the written transcript of the PM’s speech…We across the divide do appreciate it!!!

    As a speechwriter, I wonder how much of the content is actually his own?

    I was especially “moved” by him alluding to GOD’s GRACE* in the way that he did…

    Isn’t it interesting how GOD* really gets our attention!!!

    Another analytical point is the symbolic reference to “JACKO* and his collaborative timeless piece with Lionel Ritchie & Quincey Jones – “WE ARE THE WORLD”…

    It is almost as if he was giving “HYMNAL” status to what is a decent song but within the ethos of Christianity – we are DEFINITELY* NOT the world….

    One commentator cited that his speech forebodes of a type of “death-bed” final “will and testament” speech where as you peel away the “lyrics” – you see the BIBLICAL* story of the King Hezekiah who the prophet came to and told him to get his house in order because you’re gonna’ die…

    The King put his face to the wall and reminded GOD* of all the things he had done and how he had walked before HIM*…

    The prophet was asked to return and heal the King and he was granted another 15 years of life…

    But what did Hezekiah do with those years?

    Actually, instead of glorying in the God who healed his cancer – he became a egocentric “BRAGGART”!!!

    Classic….

    A lesson for all of us…

  36. Charlie Avatar
    Charlie

    Harold Hoyte can’t be serious. Haynes Benn was a failed Minister of Agriculture. These analysts on the radio and TV really confuse issues. If a vote was carried out about non performance, Haynes Benn would be first.
    If David Estwick does not accept the Ministry of Agriculture, the PM should bring in some person through the senate removing Jepter Ince. The person should have good managerial qualification and experience. The person should be bold enough to get those highly qualified employees to use the land around the ministry to do more research projects for product improvement or transfer them to another ministry.
    Can you imagine the ministry speaking about shade house technology and they cannot get a functioning one in operation. That is the way forward for Barbados agriculture with the limited land available for agriculture.
    You do not need an agriculturalist because they are too many persons to please that are your friends as Haynes Benn experience.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    Haynesly Benn meant well but he lacked the leadership skill to mobilize the MOA. His tenure became too divisive.

  38. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    “Why is he keeping himself as prime minister? The man seems desperate to hold on to power.”
    —————————————————————
    I heard that his wife gets a pension if he dies in office – the implication obviously being that she doesn’t if he resigns.

  39. Hog Squeal Avatar
    Hog Squeal

    By Hal Austin

    Within the space of a 36-hour period, two developments have taken place in Barbadian political space – an ailing prime minister David Thompson has emerged from his sick bed to reshuffle his top team of ministers; and, almost unmentioned by the print media – a sad reflection of what journalism used to be in the days of Carl Moore, Robert Best, Carlton Proute and others – Opposition leader Mia Mottley made a speech to the chamber of commerce which, I predict, will be seen over time as one of the more important post-independence speeches to be made by any political leader.

    First, the decision to reshuffle his ministerial team speaks volumes for the prime minister’s dignity in the face of physical adversity, his stoicism and commitment to public service.

    But, it also went to the heart of the problem with this grossly inept and incompetent government which, missing its leader, has been fluffing about like headless chickens.

    At a time when the nation is crying out for firm and visionary leadership, not a single member of the Cabinet has been able to even make a coherent speech in the absence of the prime minister.

    They have not shown any ability to manage nor indeed have they come to terms with the mechanics of policy-making – just look at the mess that is the civil service, the inability to come to terms with financial regulation and supervision, the crisis in the police, the anarchy on the streets with 30000 uninsured motorists, the meltdown at the hospital and the lack of an overall health policy, the failure of the educational system, the collapse of the criminal justice system.

    So, fundamentally, the prime minister’s reshuffle is aimed more at putting right these small management and policy-making details than at refreshening his top team.

    However, it is Mottley’s speech to the BCCI which has caught my eye since it has embedded in it answers to the implicit promises made that wet November night when we obtained our formal constitutional independence from Britain.

    Her call for the fire sale of a large number of the government-owned and controlled business and property portfolio comes at a time when the nation’s balance sheet is seriously over-loaded with debt.

    But, the important part of her speech, which should grab most taxpayers, is her call for ownership of these assets by Barbadians.

    Such a policy, if driven down, could transform wealth distribution in Barbados in such a radical way that it would neutralise the over-dependence on tourism as the key driver of the local economy.

    By developing a substantial local middle class – and here I am not talking about those who have qualification which they mistakingly believe entitles them to be middle class. I am talking about substance.

    Mottley also raised the issue of governments owning air and sea ports, the Transport Board, hospitals, highways, and everything in between as historically outdated. Many of these could be run by social enterprises, including the National Housing Corporation.

    More importantly she also called for the overhaul of the anarchic and lawless public transport system, and asked, quite rightly: why can’t the Transport Board be owned by the workers and trade unions? And why not.

    Also, with 350 ZR owners causing chaos on our streets, the time has come for the re-nationalisation of the entire public transport system, then privatising it, with owners and other ordinary Barbadians getting the majority share, leaving the rest to professional and institutional investors.

    Mottley has raised an issue for public debate that should now dominate political discourse for sometime. It is a real answer to the economic mess we are in.

    Hal Austin, London

  40. JC Avatar
    JC

    David Estwick has nothing to be ashamed of; I think he needs to be a bigger man than he is showing and make agriculture WORK!

    We keep on forgetting that he is also in charge of small businesses as well. He can make things happen. What he needs to do is to proof alllll of us wrong about his pitbull attitude.

    David and Charlie I agree with your points. Benn wasn’t doing nothing as far as I was concerned.

    GET TO WORK MINISTERS AND DO BARBADOS PROUD!

    I don’t understand why everyone is thinking about themselves and not BARBADOS!

  41. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    Crusoe; I beg to differ in your analysis re. Darcy Boyce.

    You said; “and Darcy Boyce .. provides the … ability and respected hand in guiding all other major PM responsibilities, apart from finance and security. ……. The one thing is that if there is a bye-election as a result of the PM retiring, it looks as if there will be efforts to have Senator Boyce elected”

    Darcy Boyce’s performance has not been exactly stellar since being named a minister and especially since the PM took ill. In addition, the message being sent to perceptive persons out there is that D’arcy Boyce has effectively been demoted, even if it is within a perception that this demotion is in the better interest of the Party.

    Why Darcy Boyce for an eventual St John seat? Why not Hartley Henry or Haynesley Benn or one of the other unelected members outside of Cabinet? Do you expect that Darcy Boyce will be rewarded for babysitting the physical needs of an ailing prime minister in Cabinet by giving him the St John seat on a platter? Does Darcy Boyce really have serious political aspirations?

  42. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    The PM’s voice was barely recognizable. He sounded very weak. David, he has now answered the question that many people thought was insensitive of you to have asked him at his press conference, that needed to be asked .

    Like any wise leader there must be contingency plans in place in the event of any disaster. This is called risk management, we hear so much about from many of the financial institutions. Does any political party put this in place when they are elected?

    Risks can come from uncertainty in financial markets, project failures, legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters as well as deliberate attacks from an adversary.

    Talk about a bull in the china shop! Agriculture has again been given another heavy/dead weight on its back. Can this be the straw that breaks the donkey’s back? Or is this the perfect job for the right animal?

  43. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    To market to market to buy a fat pig
    Home again home again jiggedy jig!

  44. Sharpie Avatar
    Sharpie

    Come on Barbados, help me rearrange the deckchairs on the Titantic. Sinking or not, we much ensure the deckchairs are arranged neat and tidy, we don’t want to be responsible for a untidy but sinking ship.

  45. Sharpie Avatar
    Sharpie

    Darcy Boyce’s fortunes are tied to the PM Thompsion’s health, let’s hope they both make a recovery. The removal of Ministry of Finance from with the PM’s portfolio means Darcy Boyce, now only a Minister in the Prime Ministers Office, is no longer the line Minister for such important government entities such as BTII, Needhams, KOMI, GEMS and InvestBarbados. The Prime Minister is obviously not impressed with Darcy Boyce but given that he has nowhere to go now, he has been allowed to draw a salary by effectively being a personal assistant to the PM. He can also look forward to the role of Yo-Yo, one week reporting to PM Thompson and another week reporting to PM Stuart. Maybe his work is over, who the hell knows.

  46. de hood Avatar
    de hood

    @ David et al

    I don’t know how many other folk noticed it, but I could not believe my eyes when I saw a photo in the Nation News this morning online showing the PM’s house with a member of The ROYAL Barbados Police Force (RBPF) sitting out in the YARD under a tree supposedly on security detail. In this day and age? Really?? Could better accommodation not have been provided for this officer, a professional in his own right? Or is he viewed as “only a policeman”, in other words a 2nd class citizen?
    And David, I believe there is still a thread running right now here on BU entitled “Do We Have A United Force?”. My question is, David, do we need any further evidence as to how police officers are viewed in this country?? The PM of this country could not provide better accommodation for his security detail??

  47. Hog Squeal Avatar
    Hog Squeal

    Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.

    Think about this quote for a second and ask yourself, does this quote apply to the four Cabinet reshuffles the DLP has had in less than three years?

    Now, Thompson’s personal physician said that he is of sound mind, even though he is no Einstein. But in circumstances where you have a Cabinet that even die-hard dems feel – does not know what it is doing or what to do – how could anyone feel that by shifting them to different positions will suddenly make them competent?

    Isn’t that the same insanity Einstein warned about? Now! What happens when Einstein’s insanity meets the DLP’s incompetence? David Estwick becomes the new Minister for Fish Markets, Rat Poison and the termination of the Giant African Snail; Sinckler becomes Minister of Finance and Blackett is given a full days work.

    The closest Estwick will now get to economics, is if he decides to count the number of African snails he shoots/kills while the closest he will get to a budget – is deciding how much he will pay per pound to kill those African Snails.

  48. checkit-out Avatar
    checkit-out

    Sharpie; What’s your take on Darcy Boyce and any devolvement of responsibility to him for further action on CLICO? Would that be in Darcy’s or Chris Sinckler’s plate?

  49. de hood Avatar
    de hood

    Just a couple of observations from the PM’s speech.

    Quote from the PM’s speech:-“We in Barbados and the wider Caribbean should not bamboozle ourselves with the notion that recovery is dependent on factors of our exclusive design and making.”
    *****************************************************************
    No, certainly, we should not “bamboozle” ourselves! All we should do is wait on the DLP to “bamboozle” us. I recall for most of 2009 and even earlier this year hearing from the DLP that all was still “fairly” rosy even if there was some “sluggish” periods things were not serious. We were told to spend whatever we wanted. Remember folk? Or is it that my memory fails me? I acknowledge that I am advancing in years so perhaps senility may be setting in.
    ************************************************************
    Another quote from the PM:-“Fellow Barbadians, Ladies and Gentlemen, General Elections are held in Barbados every five years.”
    ************************************************************
    I do declare, my memory must really be failing. Is it a fact or not, that the elections of 1994 took place within the 5-year limit?? Can this not be repeated or has a law be instituted to prevent this re-occurring?

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @de hood

    The management of the RBPF should be responsible for judging the kind of physical surroundings that is adequate to accommodate a police sentry at the PMs residence.

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