The imbroglio at the Alexandra School conspired to push Barbados Labour Party (BLP) politics from the national radar. Who can fault the BLP strategy to quietly squeeze political mileage from the perpetual turmoil associated with government. Ironically it was the selection of the flamboyant Noel ‘Barney’ Lynch on the weekend to represent the BLP in the constituency of St. Michael South which served as a reminder that a few issues are simmering on the BLP side.
One of the issues, the revelation that long serving BLP candidate Rawle Eastmond was asked to participate in an open nomination to select the candidate to represent the BLP in the upcoming general election. Bear in mind Eastmond has been the representative for St. James North for 20+ years. Observers are left to conclude that the BLP intends to ‘retire’ Eastmond despite his willingness to run for another term. There is speculation that Eastmond’s encounter a few years ago with diabolical forces, the fact he is a Mia Mottley sympathizer or Arthur wanting to insert his man are among the reasons for the BLP wanting to give the shove to Eastmond. If we are to judge from Rawle Eastmond’s recent public statements on the matter, he intends to caucus with his constituents at the end of the month to decide the way forward. He has spiced up the controversy by alluding to the need for the BLP to make changes to prevent vote padding which would act to his disadvantage in an open nomination. This is a very serious charge to be made by a long serving BLP member.
What has been interesting to date is to observe how party leader Owen Arthur has conducted himself through the process. A quote which is attributed to him on the matter: “There is a distinction between the leader of the party and organs that are required to deal with these things. This is a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the executive and the national council of the Barbados labour Party” . Does anyone believe that Arthur is timid about using his influence within the party?
There is precedent in BLP politics to suggest that Arthur has not been afraid to back a candidate in the nomination process. The most visible case is in 2003 when William Duguid, Jessica Odle and Kerri Symmonds fiercely competed for the nomination in Christ Church West to replace Henry Forde. Political pundits would recall that Kerri Symmonds was known to be Arthur’s pick. Like Eastmond, Duguid and Odle refused to be intimidated by Arthur and Symmonds had to withdraw. The rest as they say is history. Rawle Eastmond can take heart from that case. The difference maybe that a young and energetic Duguid was able to mobilize a well oiled PR campaign which eventually earned him the nod.
Does Eastmond have the energy to confront Owen Arthur as leader of the party and the BLP party machinery to win the battle to represent St. James North? Is the BLP willing to encourage a confrontation with Eastmond which might have the effect of offsetting the Eager 11 issue in the minds of Barbadians? We will soon know.
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