For a little while now BU has been listening/following Dr. Tennyson Joseph public utterances with interest. He first came to our attention when he, along with another academic Dr. Norman Girvan, participated on a Voice of Barbados call-in show (Tell It Like It Is) program back in 2008. At that time he agreed with Girvan that Prime Minister David Thompson (who inherited the Chairmanship for CSME matters) was the main reason CSME preparation had stalled. The nonsense both academics were spewing during the show prompted current Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler to intervene, and in a style which he has called his own, he put dem in deh place.
In today’s press Joseph gives his analysis of the recent cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister David Thompson. To be honest, the academically challenged BU household we have to admit struggled to follow his perspective on the issue. Unlike the goodly doctor BU sees a reshuffle as rearranging human resources to ensure optimal performance can be achieved by whoever is the shuffler. The prolong illness of the Prime Minister has also added the dimension of ensuring Thompson demonstrates his political astuteness by acknowledging both the economic and political dynamic at play.
It should be apparent even to Dr. Joseph, a political scientist at UWI, Cave Hill that the recent shuffle was to accommodate Chris Sinckler in the position of Finance. The Prime Minister using his best judgement would have been aware Estwick had to be shifted for obvious reasons. Two bulldogs can’t operate in the same space. He also would have been acutely aware of the pre-election period when Kellman and same Estwick would have canvassed hard for Mascoll. During that period Estwick was his usual fireball self and several statements were made in the public by Estwick which must still resonate with Thompson. Perhaps it explains why Thompson is not yet* prepared to allow Estwick to perform in the role as key lieutenant (finance minister). If Estwick doesn’t like it he can lump it and the PM being the political animal that he is knows that Estwick has very little political capital at this time. Bear in mind this is the same Estwick we were up in arms over a few months ago for his role in the now dormant gun incident. It was George Belle the veteran political scientist quoted in the media, also a resident at UWI, Cave Hill who described Estwick as a good politician but somewhat capricious at times.
Dr. Joseph’s references in his article his concern regarding leadership in the government and Deputy Prime Minister Stuart. Frankly he mesmerized BU with whatever point he is attempting to make, we quote – Of particular concern is the extent to which the reshuffle disrupts the apparent future leadership trajectory which was signalled with the past and present appointment of Freundel Stuart as the Deputy Prime Minister. Can a member of the BU family explain? Was Stuart ever thought to have been a serious contender for the PM’s role?
Here is the unvarnished exposition by Dr. Tennyson Joseph which was displayed in the Nation newspaper for all to read today:
ALL AH WE IS ONE: Reshuffle of uncertainty
By: Tennyson Joseph
By Prime Minister David Thompson’s own admission, one of his main concerns as he battles his illness is to ensure that instability is minimised. In this regard, his decision to announce his third Cabinet reshuffle since 2008 must have caused him particular discomfort, since a reshuffle suggests “mashing up” and rearranging.
In assessing the effectiveness of the reshuffle, therefore, a useful measuring stick is its furtherance of the goal of ensuring stability, particularly in relation to governance and economic development.
Viewed through such a lens, it is difficult to declare in the affirmative. In announcing the reshuffle, very little link was made between the repositioning of ministerial responsibility and the overcoming of the economic challenges facing the country.
Indeed, given the oft stated commitment by the new Minister of Finance to the creation of a “society” as distinct from an “economy”, concerns about the lacunae in economic management occasioned by the Prime Minister’s illness may persist. The reshuffle appears to have been motivated more by politics rather than by the objective economic challenges confronting Barbados.
Leadership concern
Ironically, however, when judged as a political response, further instability appears to be on the horizon. Of particular concern is the extent to which the reshuffle disrupts the apparent future leadership trajectory which was signalled with the past and present appointment of Freundel Stuart as the Deputy Prime Minister.
The new Cabinet seems to have upset the usual batting line-up. Specifically, by placing the red meat of finance and economic development in Chris Sinckler’s hands, the Prime Minister has effectively problematised a smooth transition to the senior and tested deputy Freundel Stuart.
Barbados can now expect a period of political jostling to shift the party leadership more in line with that hinted by the reshuffle. The country can also expect a corresponding resistance from those who have been slighted by the new arrangements. Loyalties are therefore set to unravel, and the business of Government is set to take a back seat to politicking.
Indeed, on the very night of the reshuffle the country was confronted with the possibility of the former Minister of Economic Affairs resigning from the Cabinet. Despite his deference to better judgement, a new material reality of open disgruntlement, resentment, disaffection, and split loyalties, has manifested itself within the DLP, in a context where unity is paramount.
The pursuit of stability would have seen the Prime Minister shedding his workload through the transfer of Finance to the Minister of Economic Affairs and would have seen a reaffirmation of Stuart as the undisputed deputy and Acting Prime Minister whenever necessary. This would have signalled continuity, rather than change.
Instead, the reshuffle has brought internal politics to the fore where a focus on effective administration is demanded. The instability of the Prime Minister’s illness has now been reshuffled towards the instability of internal political rivalry. Managing change now competes with managing the country.
Tennyson Joseph is a political scientist at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus specialising in analysis of regional affairs.
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