I have made a similar comment easier, yes, the DLP will win the by-elections but if the new St. John’s M.P does not live up to expectations and a home-grown person contests the seat for the BLP, there is the possiblity that that seat can be wrestled from the DLP, therefore, the DLP has to choose carefully who they put forward as the St. Jorn representative. Secondly, things will not always be good sailing in parliament, if the DLP’s representations in the lower house is reduced to single digits like in the second term of the recent BLP government, the M.P for St. John must be someone to be able to carry the DLP flag and keep the pressure on whichever party is governing.

When one takes Franlin’s statements into consideration, we see why OAS correctly refers to this parliament as a poor rakey one.
Gone are both the DLP & BLP debaters of the 70’s 80’s and 90’s.
Poor rakey indeed!

I am not sure David.

Perhaps those who came after the mid sixties were/are not as “hungry” to succeed or to be excellent as those before the advent of “free” education. Perhaps our increasing affluence and the ease of acquisition of things material is to blame.

Free books, free uniforms, free bus fares , etc are all good provisions by successive Governments, but do the recipients appreciate these things as those of our generations did? Do they think that recipt of these things meant that they had to reciprocate by excelling or serving?

But we had some lawyers and others in parliament (and in the courts) a few decades ago that were educated, keen, very competent…who could debate like Bilie Miller,Cheltenham, Tull, Adams, Blackman, Forde, etc

Our contemporary teachers are clearly probably better educated than the ones we had, but are they expected as ours were? Are they listened to like ours were?

One other thing there is no way that you can speak well if you are not well read. Our younger folk do not read as they should.

The reason why every one speaks highly of the speeches of PM Stuart is because when he speaks, it is clear that he has read well.His vocabulary has been forged in the crucible of long hours of reading for pleasure and profession. He therefore does not feel for words , and talks sense as a consequence.

David
Some frown at Zoe and I when give our view about the end times and the end of planet earth as we know it with things getting worse as predicted in the Word.

I can not think of any other reason when one considers that in general things ought to be better… but yet they are worse!

Some might think that some like YB and others of similar vintage are old foggie complainers, but in days gone bye when we were all poor, we got on better, we shared the little we had. The local shop keeper extended credit to the villager, we ate local pork and mutton and beef from the village, there was a sense of community etc etc etc Many of the folk in the community that we looked up to were reasonably honest and upright and caring.

Some say we are wrong to serenade such times because life was hard back then. But that has to be better than reading about the two elderly men who wre murdered this year including an ex policeman. Such things were unheard off when we were poor. Now that we are reltively rich the ex PM can say truthfully that parliament [which is a measure of our society to some extent ] is poor rakey.

We have exchanged our quality for quantity. We have exchanged true riches for temporay baubles. We have even sold our lands.

Mr. Stuart says he has already decided on a date and presumambly a candidate, but is not yet ready to reveal them. I certaining cannot see anyone I can deem a suitable replacement. Yes, Mara would be good for the people of St. John, but maybe not for the party. Let’s face it, the people of St. John will vote for whoever goes from the DLP. Many of them tell you that they are really voting for Errol Barrow. Whoever goes will get Barrow AND Thompson’s vote. Mr. Stuart needs to focus on the strength of the party first. Choose someone who will add value to the party, whoever that may be.

@Persnicka_t

You probably missed the point of BU and GP.

The level of debate back when demonstrated a wide breath in intellect, above normal intellectual curiosity, above average cognitive skills, a stratospheric societal awareness and we could go on. You must appreciate that if such a standard through debate is displayed in the highest law making body in the land it would be a benchmark or aspirational behaviour which others would want to follow.

As far as Mara goes, this is an intelligent woman who has played second fiddle to her husband for over 20 years. This is a woman who comes from a political family. This is a woman who is respected inside and outside of St. John. Lastly if she is selected you will get a chance to hear her position on the issues. BU is willing to bet she will speak on the issues in a way 75% of sitting MPs have not.

@Enuff

On behalf of the BU household your last comment is taken as a compliment.