There has been some comment about the decision of the government to construct a tomb like monument in memory of late Prime Minister. What is the hullabaloo? The late David Thompson – whether you agreed with his politics or not – was the sixth Prime Minister of Barbados, a historical fact. He died in office and all the trappings of the office of Prime Minister he even in death, and his family should benefit.
BU suspects what some on the other side maybe questioning is the timing of the project which is scheduled to be completed to coincide with the first anniversary of the death of Thompson on October 23. When the Tomb Project is assessed along with the announcement of The David Thompson Memorial Football Tournament to be played this month, it gives wings to the view that there is some political motive at play. While it can be rationalized that each project has merit, the timing of the two projects makes it difficult to deny a political undercurrent to the decision.
With a less visible role for Hartley Henry, one can’t be sure if political strategy is being seriously practiced by the Fruendel Stuart administration. What should be obvious, even to to the least discerning of politicos, it is unlikely the government can run on its track record given the harsh economic times it has had to operate. This is understandable and the government will have to build advantage over the opposition in the minds of the electorate in the weeks and months leading to the next general election.
The lionizing of David Thompson will likely be a big part of the government’s strategy to win the next election. The sudden death of a relatively young Prime Minister whose journey to Bay Street in 2008 was littered with intrigue became a household conversation piece. The outpouring of emotion by the public demonstrated the impact Thompson’s death had on many Barbadians. It is hard to imagine the sympathy vote being a factor in the next general election some three years later but the DLP in the circumstance maybe willing to be test it.
Many believe the staging of a football tournament by the ministry of constituency empowerment in October despite its clashing with the hugely popular LIME Pelican Football Tournament is a strategy to build the Thompson sympathy factor. The construction of the tomb cannot be challenged, only its timing – another attempt to woo the sympathy vote. The late David Thompson was very popular with the people and we can debate the reasons why. What cannot be debated given his brief time spent in the office is that he had enough time to build a track record of performance.
The coming general election will be interesting for a number of reasons, winning a government during a harsh and volatile economic period, a Barbados Labour Party Opposition which currently lacks cohesion and appears to be mute on several issues, the CLICO and Barrack Sagas, the possible no-proclamation of Integrity, rising unemployment said to be 12%, FOIAs and last but not least the runaway cost of living with key factors being rising petroleum, food and utilities.
No wonder the DLP will be seeking refuge in the House of David.
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