Submitted by Yardbroom
After the death of Prime Minister David Thompson, no sooner had the funeral ceremony been respectably completed with much deserved ceremony befitting a Prime Minister in Office, when the call was made to the DLP, call a general election.
I said then an election should not be called. Many here (BU) disagreed and still do judging by recent comments. I will explain later the reasons underpinning my position. There was a lot of public sympathy for Mr. Thompson, the circumstances of his death, coupled with his relatively young age were significant factors. That this public sympathy could be translated into votes was evidenced by the successful campaign launched by his wife – Mara Thompson – now elected to Parliament….I am aware of her previous work in the constituency that not withstanding. It was felt by a vocal segment that on a larger scale public sympathy could be exploited, thus handing victory to the DLP in a general election.
It is true an election could have been called by Prime Minister Stuart, but allow me to rewind and remind you of the circumstances then. The DLP had only been in office for a short time and prior to the election it was said by the BLP that the DLP did not have the experience to govern Barbados. That obviously had not been put to the test over time, it was therefore incumbent on Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to put any doubt to bed. It was also believed there was dissent in the DLP with a myriad of members jockeying for leadership of the Party.
Now to the benefits accrued, Prime Minister Stuart is firmly established as the leader. He has been able to change his cabinet, positioning individuals to appointments much to their advantage. Chris Sinckler has improved his public standing so much that he is now seen as a leader for the future. Prime Minister Stuart has displayed his own style not to everyone’s taste it is true but he has held the ship together through turbulent seas and displayed effective delegation of responsibility, one of the most important attributes of a Prime Minister.
Why was I not in favour of calling an election so soon after the death of Prime Minister Thompson? It would have been the easy choice to run to the electorate and seek Government not on record but public sympathy…to a possible victory. I believe that would have been opportunistic and falls short of a Prime Minister of true mettle, who is confident in himself, his Party and those he leads. Fruendel Stuart is stronger now than he was then and the Cabinet is positioned to fight the next general election not dictated by events but at a time he chooses, on record, merit and the experience of having governed Barbados for some time.
What about the BLP, some have said Mr. Owen Arthur is old, finished, true he is older since the last election but so are we. I coined the phrase for him “The Master Tactician” and have been chided since for so saying but he achieves set objectives. Politics is about outcomes not the moral interactions between individual parliamentarians seeking office. Those who are foolish enough to write Mr. Owen Arthur off do so at their own peril, he is still in the ring and don’t you forget it, to write him off would be a mistake of enormous proportions….he is “The Master Tactician“
His skill is now needed more than ever for in the end it might not matter when the Barbados General Election is called. Mia Mottley stands like a colossus at the gates to the kingdom. “The Master Tactician will be tested to the limit, how can he get around Mia Mottley – and remember the tide is turning in her favour -before the bell is rung. Without Mia on side the 10% of voters crucial to gain victory in a Barbados election will be lost to the BLP, that is the dilemma he faces
I can hear the voices now you have not mentioned the economy. No! I have not, it is important but as important as it is, the international scene has ensured that even the most powerful and influential countries in the world are making heavy weather in these turbulent times. Little Barbados is being buffeted and there is not a lot we can do but be prudent in our spending and manage or debt.
I did say sometime ago that Integrity Legislation will be the Achilles heel of the DLP Government, as it is a problem within their ability to solve not dependent on outside forces. I am still of that mind because promises were categorically made by them. It is the ten per cent of the non-committed voters who can give victory in Barbados, and whilst Mia Mottley might prevent Owen Arthur from gathering them in. Integrity Legislation could do the same for the DLP Government, there is time….but only so much time.
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