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Geat idea, bring Arthur back as PM and have him sell out the rest of Barbados.
The DLP and its supporters are really over-selling Mara though.
I, thought the BLP say that they running a clean campaign. We the of St John vex and we going to punish wunna for this nastiness that would doing to our queen . Mara is not panicking, we are going to swamp her with votes, votes, votes, from 6 to 6 and them we will celebrate her famous victory.
It is getting worse by the minute for Owing and his gang of goons, he reached an all time low on the political platform of the Barbados Liars Party tonight.
BLP suffering from and ingestion of the sourest possible grapes.
DLP
DAMNED LIARS PARTY
Told many lies to win election
——————
MARA THOMPSON IS NOT THE REAL DEAL
SHE SHOULD BE HOME MINDING SHE CHILDREN
I know some people will call me BLP supporter, even though I’ve stated endlessly that I could never be, however as a neutral lookeron I am seeing much bias by CBC. It appears that even CBC is doing their campaigning and virtually declaring Mara as winner of the seat long before the actual elections. Yes, we all know she would win the sear handsomely , as expected, but should a media station be so focussed on one particular and just tthrow little tit-bits about the other candidate, just to appear unbiased? I enjoyed the last general elections where both parties were able to hit each other and may I say the DLP did a fantastic job in humbling the then ruling BLP. Since then the now ruling party the DLP seems to be Barring the BLP from any airtime and is promoting everything the DLP does, this is not good journalism. The party has to watch this as it can backfire and the BLP can get some sympathy votes from those who observe the same as me.
Last night I decided to follow the proceedings of the DLP meeting at Sherbourne, St John, on the Internet. As I live outside of Barbados these days, I had not yet had the opportunity to see Mara Thompson’s previous campaign speech on TV or in person. I had read online that her presentation last Thursday at their kick-off meeting was quite impressive, and I wanted to see for myself how she appeared on the political platform.
So, I tuned in last night via the stream on the DLP’s website, quite early on during John Boyce’s contribution to the meeting. I have to say, I was absolutely appalled at the number of times that he referred to Mara Thompson as “our queen”, “your queen” and “the queen”. This behavior was continued by Donville Inniss. After a while, I could not take this “queen” business any longer, so I killed the stream and did something else.
What utter folly is this that the DLP is seeking to introduce to the political landscape of Barbados? I’m sure that National Hero and Father of Independence, the Right Excellent Errol Barrow, must be rolling in his grave at the ridiculous characterization of Mara Thompson as the queen of St John, or Barbados, or the DLP, or whatever.
This is made all the more distasteful by the near certainty of Mara Thompson’s success at the polls. I could grudgingly understand (but never condone) such a manoeuver being required if there was a likelihood that the race would be close, and the DLP felt that it had to leverage even more heavily the connection between Mara Thompson and the political legacy of her late husband, and by any means necessary. But everyone knows that the BLP’s chances of winning this by-election are vanishingly small. Why on earth does the DLP leadership think it is right and proper to treat this election as a coronation, rather than what it really is?
I’m sorry, but I think this ploy of the DLP’s, in characterizing Mara Thompson as a “queen” in a political context, and for political gain, is nothing short of disgusting.
@Paul Barnes | January 10, 2011 at 9:00 AM. Agree completely. Ham-handed overkill. Tasteless and crass. Like the gratuitous comments by the press (including a certain blog – not this one) on her opponent’s attire. The electorate is hiring brains and ability, not fabric and design. However, a little class, restrain and style by the BLP would go far to ameliorate their position – but then again, pigs might fly.
Agree the DLP campaign has been laying it on thick regarding Mara it is absolutely unnecessary.
A couple of points:
Our law permits Mara to be a candidate. Do we want to change the law? Is this what we are reading the BLP to be saying?
Why doesn’t the BLP stream their meetings? Why isn’t a copy of Arthur’s budget reply available online?
As a born, bred and educated (at all three levels in BARBADOS) Bajan female, I am totally disgusted and affronted that the DLP could be bringing a St. Lucian woman to run in a by-election in St. John and then having the utter gaul to proclaim her a queen. IF this is not a slap in the faces of all Bajan women, then nothing else could ever be! No DLP, not in 2011! This is not Peter Morgan warmed over!
I want the DLP to tell us, the people of Barbados what gives them the right to think that Mara Thompson could represent the views of Barbadian women? Because she is a woman? Not at all! Because she is a West Indian? Not at all? Because she is the widow of the late David Thompson? Not at all! This kind of thinking is not only utter folly, but very dangerous.
Bajans must sit up and think this move through very carefully and the people of St. John in particular must reflect on the very serious consequences that placing Mara Thompson in the Parliament of Barbados could have for this country.
Firstly, we live in a DEMOCRACY not a MONARCHY – the right to represent a constituency is not something that can be willed by a husband to a wife. It is not his property. And just because it is wished for by one of the partners in a marriage, that does not mean that it has to happen. People wish for things everyday that they do not get and that are not necessarily good for them or the country. So what is so special about the wishes of one dying man over another (no disrespect intended) but this is a relevant question. It is claimed by the DEMS that the people of St. John want Mara? Fine, but in a democracy the will of the people sometimes has to be weighed against what is good for the party in terms of other potential representatives (and there were some more suitable than Mara, but unfortunately they were not married to a Thompson) and against what might have negative consequences for the country. I would be one very unhappy Bajan to wake up one morning and find we had a St. Lucian Prime Minister. Oh what a laughing stock Barbados would be in the rest of the world.
Secondly, in no other country in the region could this happen. Yes there have been a few instances when other CARICOM countries were led by persons who were not born in that particular country, but those persons settled in those countries at an early age and were schooled there, so to all intents and purposes were nationals. They imbibed the culture of that country and all of its nuances from an early age. They even spoke like a native of that country. They did not live there as adults as the result of a marriage and then have something bequeathed to them. They had to get down in the trenches and fight long and hard for it. These things may seem simple, but are important when one is building the psyche of a nation. Our leaders must truly reflect us in all our aspects. Mara Thompson cannot do this, she is not truly one of us.
Thirdly, Mara Thompson’s choice exposes the deep hypocracy of the DLP. On one hand, we have a government which prides itself on putting out legal and illegal CARICOM citizens and now is offering up a St. Lucian to sit in our Parliament. To add insult to injury they are giving her the safest seat in country, one that has been held by the same party for over fifty years.
If this is not corruption, immorality and a glearing lack of integrity nothing else could be. There is an inherent conflict of interest here which Bajans would do well to avoid.
I am totally disgusted with this government.
Total rubbish from the BLP. What the DLP is doing is not illegal and there is certainly nothing wrong with using the analogy of a “queen”. Wasn’t Mia Mottley refered to as the “queen bee” or something like that? It’s not like Mrs. Thompson will actually have the powers and trappings of royalty. The people will choose (democracy) and if successful Mara will be an ordinary MP or Minister like the others.
Owen wasn’t concerned about ‘foreigners’ when he was getting his cabinets built by ILLEGAL Guyanese for next kin to nothing? Or when he was married to one? Damn drunken hypocrite.
There are so many issues to talk about and all the BLP can do is talk about dynasty queen foolishness! Blasted idiots. They let the DLP set a trap for them and sidetrack them, that’s why they deserve the thumping they’re going to get at the polls. Who on earth is in charge of their campaign? And why on earth did they settle for that poor rakey candidate of theirs in the first place. Barbados is in deep doo doo because we the government is average, and the Opposition is non-existent. What queen dynasty foolishness? Gimme a break Owen Arthur.
For the matter all the minister replies to the budget David. Maybe we could get people to do it for all this year.
David – if Barbados law permits Mara Thompson to hold a seat in the Lower House, then it would be pointless for the BLP to try to challenge that at this stage. In my view, if she can legally stand for election, I don’t have any major problem with her candidacy, intrinsically.
I do have some reservations, similar to those expressed by Jazzy in her post above, about the message that is being sent when credible locally-born options have been overlooked in favour of the foreign-born Mara Thompson. (I noted with interest that Maxine McClean appeared to be well received by the crowd at the DLP meeting last night when she was introduced to them, for example…Ms McClean might also have been a strong, locally-born candidate) I probably don’t feel as strongly about it as Jazzy does, but I do totally understand Jazzy’s point of view, however.
In my view, if the DLP decision-makers agree that Mara Thompson is to be their candidate, and if she can stand without any legal impediment, then on their own heads be it. My major problem with this is the sickening effort to coronate Mara Thompson as the major theme in the DLP’s political discourse in the by-election. Of course, I have also been fed-up to the gills by the slavish elevation to hagiography of any discussion of the life and works of the late David Thompson, but maybe my tolerance for nonsense is lower than most.
Jazzy the people of St. John chose Mara by vote to represent them. Mara did not thrust the title ‘queen’ upon herself; the people of St. John who opened their homes to her over twenty years ago did out of of love and respect. Barbados will become a laughing stock because Mara was born in St. Lucia? Maybe if you had gotten some of your education or live outside of Barbados you would not be this ignorant. Bajans reside in countries all over the world and some hold very high and prestigious positions. Some of their children, e.g. Eric Holder, Shirley Chisholm and Gwen Ifill have done very well. Open your shallow hallow mind, miss high and mighty.
Tell her SJACF! And tell the BLP to find something sensible to talk. They don’t realise how stupid they sound?
On a completely different matter entirely. Where is the PDC candidate for st.john. I taught they wanted us to take them serious.
In response to Jazzy’s comments about Bajans voting a st. lucian into parliament , you might want to take a look at just how many First Ladies were barbadian ? This to me is a non-issue ,as love knows no boundaries . We could take this as far back in history as the “Most Esteemed One” patiently waiting OUTSIDE the gates of the Yacht’s Club for the love of his life . Yes outside , for back then colour superceeded class so that not even the bond of love was able to punch your ticket through the gates where they felt you did not belong . Think of how many Barbadians sit in positions of authority outside of Barbados , lending influence to policy that has absolutely nothing to do with Barbados . Do not be misled my dear , for whether it was st. lucia or st. lucy the fact remains that they lied to you when they spoke about nomination day ,knowing full well they ment immolation day . Now Mara gets to feed on “THE FATTED CALF” .
@St. John ah come from all I have to say to you is emancipate your mind from mental slavery. The people of St. John may have opened their homes to Mara Thompson out of love and respect. That is fine and dandy and your right so to do. But it is entirely another thing for her to run for a seat in Parliament. The circumstances of your opening your homes and hearts to her were as the wife of your constituency representative. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However the circumstances have changed.
Yes Bajans reside in all countries of the world and how many of them are sitting in the House of Commons in London? Eric Holder is the son of Barbadians, but he is the first person to tell you that he is AMERICAN and he did not run for elected office. He could not hold the position he does unless he was AMERICAN as America does not allow dual citizenship. And by the way Eric Holder grew up in the US he did not marry an American, move there and then have something handed to him on a platter. So your point is?
@Livingstone – I am not BLP. Surprise surprise. I happen to believe that this particular move by the DLP is fundamentally wrong and in our Wesminster system of government has potentially serious consequences.
@Hamilton Hill the number of Barbadian women that have been first ladies is only relevant to the debate in so far as they did not think that this qualified them to run in an election in their country of residence. Do not be fooled they did not lie to me and Mara was already feeding on the fatted calf.
But clearly there is more to the choice of Mara than some are willing to allow
The BLP need to address the issues facing the country and stop the personal attacks on Mara Thompson. She been living in Barbados for the past twenty something years and also raised three beautiful children, all Barbadian by the way. As far as I am concerned, Mara nationality is a non issue….So much issues in this country need addressing like the cost of living and CLICO.
How can Mara Thompson candidature be an affront to the democracy process when she was selected by via a transparent process…..The BLP should be the last to talk about democracy when all types of skulduggery took place during the lead up to their general conference……vote padding and tampering. The BLP think people foolish nuh..
Had Mara not been the preferred DLP candidate, it would have made no difference to the outcome.
She would stand by popular demand, and easily become our only independent MP, but only for three weeks or so until she graciously accepted the DLP whip in exchange for a seat on the cabinet, (Health may soon be available again) to compensate for her embarrassment.
I have no problem with the democratic wishes of St John, as I believe they have confidence in their favoured candidate.
One thing which should be clarified on the hustings is her attitude to the Clico debacle, given her close business relationship with Mr Parris’ wife.
In these days of integrity, I think we should be informed, as an indicator of the DLP hierarchy’s commitment to transparency.
@ John Locke… Maybe the GOVERNING party ( remember them) need to tell us about the issues affecting the country.. nowhere in the world , one expects an opposition party to address issues . You want and then get… so you own it
Hutson Griffith was born in St.Vincent, Mara in St.Lucia.
Adrian I beleive I heard on the radio that his father is Barbadian and he and his wife were missionaries, Barbados however was home base. He is a Barbadian, Mara is a St. Lucian.
I agree Barrow would turn in his grave and ask what mirror image do we have. How disappointed he must be. This is sad. It does not speak well of the Dems or the people of St. John. However if that is their choice so be it.
Personally I find the Queen talk nauseating, it is so simplistic and insulting to me. it makes her look ridiculous and makes us a laughing stock. Reduces some Barbadians who cannot perceive this enigma to the level of the redneck of U.S, will embrace any folly as long as Republican’s say it. I need a drink.
on another point, this by-election and all the fanfare with Mrs. Thompson serves as a very useful distraction for the DLP as our electricity company will fall into foreign ownership by the end of the month, under their watch. This utility is of huge strategic interest to Barbados and we will have no control..
Another thought. Barbadians have taken up significant ost all ove rthe world, on merit and because the local skills were not available, and people still resented them. I do not think it could be stated with any truth that there were not other better qualified persons to represent DLP to present to St. John. Mara Thompson one qualification really has been that of wife of David Thompson. she perofrmed no extraordinary service – taking messages, telling her husband and sometimes accompanying him on visits. As Thompson did little for the constituents anyhow how hard was that, so basically my man turned up for a few drinks and attended a few sports meets and he is a genuis at representation. Many wives or politicians do the same but it does not qualify them for office. God this would make a man puke.
Lets not forget David was born in britian too.though none that really important.
Tell ya de trut’, I can’ un’stan how people like a ex-Prome Minister could be more comfortable with a British Queen an’ not one from de OECS, particularly when he did head ah Caricom fah a while …! My God …
@Adrian Hinds | January 10, 2011 at 6:22 PM | Hutson Griffith was born in St.Vincent, Mara in St.Lucia.
Adrian, don’t be an idiot, trying to confuse the issue! Hudson was borned in St.Vincent OF BARBADIAN PARENTS, who were at the time doing missionary work in that country. That’s a vast difference to Mara’s status.
I personally am not questioning Mara’s right to run, but the circumstances surrounding her candidature annoy and disturb me as a Barbadian. She has been willed a seat by the dead king and billed and promoted by the DLP as some “Queen” . Clearly, this amounts the the establihment of a Thompson Dynasty, (outrageous talk of holding the seat for the three children) which is foreign and dangerous to our system of government.
Mara as the representative for St John, is practically a fait accompli. She should not be the subject of borderline ad hominem attacks by the BLP. The person who the BLP should pull out all the stops on is David Thompson, deceased, and in so doing illustrate in fine detail;
1) How Mara had to be complicit in the serious economic blows DT dealt to Barbados, especially in his connections with CLICO and all its ramifications.
2) How David, himself, HH and Mara conspired to effect a dynasty.
3) How his illness was stage managed, with the full compliance of Mara, to give effect to the Thompson dynasty.
4) How, the decision for Mara to run could, in retrospect, not have been made just a few days ago but was evident to those with eyes to see and read soon after DT’s death.
5) How the DLP administration lacked the intestinal fortitude to stand up to a dying DT and, after his death, to the wishes of the dead DT.
6) How the DLP administration did not care for the 11 potential alternative candidates, illustrated by how it allowed most of them to make fools of themselves by consenting to participate in a sham face off. The proof of this is the fact that Leroy McClean came all the way from Toronto for the non event even while a few other aspirants backed off when they realised from early that Mara had already secretly made her decision. The top brass of the DLP did not even have the decency to tell him, even if unofficially, not to come.
8) How the economy of the country and the mores of the parliament have been mismanaged and subverted by DT.
Jazzy has made a number of good points about the situation but I wonder where the other DLP women are who must feel the same way. Has any of them considered that there is minimal likelihood that Mara would have been offered as a candidate if David Thompson had not decreed it and set up Hartley Henry to make it so by doing all that was necessary to produce the illusion, and later put flesh on it, that Mara was the automatic choice of the people themselves with no prompting from the DLP hierarchy?
Mara is only a creature of David.
DeLisle Just say dat we got 1.5 Billion in Foreign reserves … Yah know what ..? It is time that we import Central Bank Chiefs from St. Lucia … and Police Chiefs and Chief Justices and Contractor Generals … cause otherwise yah would got good cause to doubt the independence and neutrality of these people …!
If ever I had the audacity to speak like Checkit-out, I would quickly be dubbed a conspiracy buff and dismissed. I do feel sorry for Leroy, but hmmm… was he not on it as well …?
A Barbadian can emmigrate to Canada,become a “dual” citizen and become an MP or Senator.
“Anne Clare Cools (born August 12, 1943) is a member of the Canadian Senate. Born in Barbados, she was the first black person to be appointed to Canada’s upper house.”Her family immigrated to Canada in 1957 when Cools was 14 years old, and settled in Montreal.
The people of St.John will choose their representative and if they refer to Mara as their queen so be it.
Owen Arthur was supposed to be “Father of first world Barbados and Prime Minister for life” but the people of Barbados “cut he down to size”.
Democracy is alive in Barbados.
Lest it be misunderstood, and for what very little its worth, I have absolutely nothing against any worthy Naturalized Citizen of Barbados becoming the MP for one of our constituencies or even perhaps becoming Prime Minister.
What I have a problem with is the events leading up to Mara’s coronation and the possibility that we are seeing the start of a Thompson Dynasty.
Checkit-out you made mention of Jazzy , and then spoke of the other D L P women . Are you telling me she belongs to this great party ?
Hamilton Hill, Re. Jazzy.
she said in her post above “@Livingstone – I am not BLP. Surprise surprise. I happen to believe that this particular move by the DLP is fundamentally wrong and in our Wesminster system of government has potentially serious consequences.”
I erred. She only said she is not BLP. Therefore she might be DLP or she might be just a free thinker (somewhat like me but in my case I’ve admitted that I had a leaning to the BLP). But I stand by my point that I think that there are many DLP women who think the same way as Jazzy. I’ve met a few.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong.
Aaron Truss was not born in Barbados but won the St.Michael central seat and sat in Parliament as a Minister.
He even help that Political crier Owen Arthur to win his sat handsomely after losing by one. Truss was called the minister of floods.
By the way all black women are royal, they are queens just ask Taurus Riley.
BAFBPF.
I think you’ve probably hit the nail on the head. I do tend towards giving some credence to major conspiracies. e.g. the 911 conspiracy.
What really interests me about David Thompson are the titbits that those who knew him have disclosed about the character and abilities of the man. Those attributes, when woven together produce a glimpse of a really extraordinary and brilliant man who singlemindedly, from a very early age, went after a PM’s post. Such a man with the right associates could provide fodder for really excellent conspiracy theories especially when events and obeah men appear to have assisted at the correct junctures.
Who would have thought that a possibility I first threw out on this board about dynasty making a couple months ago would have now made the mainstream on the political platforms and the Nation Newspaper?
@checkit-out
They all read the blogs whether they admit it or not. Did you not listen to David Ellis taking another swipe at us today? This time it was to ridicule the retreat we take in anonymity. Let them do it their way and we will do it our way.
David has the pdc disappeared ? I taught they would at least send a candidate to st.john
@anthony
Your guess is as good as ours, have not seen them about recently.
@ Jazzy, Truthman Burton, Bajan Truth et al
If Mara Thompson is a citizen of Barbados she is entitled to run for public office, if she is not she should be disqualified.
Some day the BLP will regain power and you should use your powers of persuasion to urge the Gov’t to sponsor a bill which would deny the right of non Barbadian born citizens to occupy any public office. Until then save your carping for another subject
That said I would have preferred another candidate but my preference has nothing to do with country of birth.
@Truthman Burton
Neither Mara nor Hudson can claim to be a born and bread bajan. The law of the land, not you, determines citizenship, and citizenship of Barbados gives the holder as much rights as a born and bread Bajan. In other words there is no extended legal right accorded to a born and bread bajan above and beyond what is accorded to a citizen. Put that in your pipe an smoke it. It is a non issue.
aint nothing sacred about being BORN a bajan, I can become one and be just as privilage. LOL!
Ditto Sargeant. This non race generating to much interest. Bajans must be bored and the economy doing well. LOL!
BAFBPF
I forgot to respond to the point you made above; ” I do feel sorry for Leroy, but hmmm… was he not on it as well …?”
It would be strange, imho, for Leroy to have been in on it. After all as GP has let us know, the DLP had pulled a fast one on him when David Thompson was chosen to take up Barrow’s safe seat. He would therefore have to be a glutton for punishment to come to Barbados from Toronto, with some fanfare, to vie for selection as the DLP candidate when at least 2 female candidates with credentials that were arguably better than his, had pulled out.
The only likely reason for them to have pulled out from consideration was that they knew that the seat was Mara’s from early in the game.
I admit that there was the outside chance that Mara might have at the last moment, decided not to run. In that event Leroy might have thought that he would then be the frontrunner and therefore coming to Barbados would have been a good option.
However, if he had followed the comments on this blog up to a week before he came, he would have known that history was about to repeat itself.
Not long ago subversion waffled through the air ,making its way from somewhere on the north coast , its pungent odour filling the halls of the hive on Roebuck Street , the nucleus of prudence in relation to good governance in Barbados . No hue and Cry . We are told that after fifty two years st.john is undeveloped , under-developed , rural . Why not save your energy ? Do you really think that the Mottley Clan with their rich history in the hive will accept that obvious insult ,and just fade away into the night like the millions we paid for the floating hotel ? Save your energy bees , for as short as our memories are , we remember Owen —chapter one…….Kith and Kin . Here he is again …….. Hue and cry ….Hue and Cry . Mara would have long taken her seat and the undeveloped waste lands will no longer be on the political radar, then bajans will get their chance to discuss “History making in George Payne’s house” . Ahh caaan wait.
Why is de queen talk nauseating? Isn’t Barbados a constitutional monarchy or something so? Who does the governor general represent? Not a queen? Where were you all when Mia presented herself in the last election as “royal” paying a reggae singer to rewrite and sing his signature song for or to her? I see election gimmickry nothing more.
Uh tell yuh the DLP presenting a political neophyte in a very safe seat with sloganeering that can suggest they are not 100% sure um is still a safe seat. However it is likely that they want to ensure David Thompson like return numbers for Mara as proof that the people still favour the DLP. Any dip in David Thompson last election score can give substance to weaken support for the DLP.
If Mia can be “royal” so can “Mara”
Folks whats up with the all the coats that Arthur wearing while people around him are in shorts and teashirts? De night air in St.John to much for him? Wuh um also seems like the elevation of St.John was too much for Fruendel. Wuh gine on bosey?
@Jazzy. It is people of your ilk are the reason why CARICOM is a big failure. And to say that you were a product of UWI, is even more depressing. I see no problem with Mrs Thompson repping ST. John, as a matter of fact I was the first one who hinted on this blog the possibility of this happening just days after for former PM was buried.She is well qualified. She has been living here long enough and has imbibed the Barbados culture….not to mention she is also our Caribbean sister. Mara is Good to go for me.
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