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George C. Brathwaite

It is with some disinclination that I enter the current political fray regarding matters surrounding the actors and actions situated either in the Barbados Labour Party, its internal constituents, and the general hullabaloo that has been playing out in the constituency of St. James North which is a seat considered to be a stronghold and held by the BLP’s Rawle Eastmond. My disinclination stems from three key positions. Involved in this unmerited public spectacle is a political party that I remain a dedicated and loyal member; my friend is central to the ongoing debates; and thirdly, as a student of politics, I am a strong advocate for democratic traditions and the placing of the good of the collective people above the ambitions of individuals whose agendas are seldom fully known.

I turn now to the substantive though overblown debates. From the onset, I need to emphasise that most of the fuss relating to the allegations about a ‘padded list’ and the future candidature of the current Member of Parliament for the constituency, Rawle Eastmond, are simplistic but divisive. On two counts the simplicity can easily be established and I will explain these before getting to the more critical aspect of divisiveness.

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157 responses to “The Politicking Behind St. James North Constituency”


  1. @tytony
    When 11 out of 20 state openly and directly they do not want their leader then that is trouble and that has to be fixed I am sure .

    Did they state openly and directly ??…hmm

    The peculiar part I find, is that ..since questioned…..and threatening non existing law suits (NationNews)…they sit it out cowardly like mice…the longer they wait ..the less confidence the public will have in any of them.


  2. Why does CCC not concentrate on what is happening at CBC, porn and all and forget the BLP? Concentrate on the plotting and sniping of the GANG of 11 (not eager 11), yes, GANG of 11 and their next move to oust Freundel since his speech at DLP headquarters, two Fridays ago?


  3. I smell the fear in the handwriting of DLP supporters trying to create facts, jump to conclusions, that what yuh saying makes no sense. Where in the history of BLP did you have an incumbent not inidicate whether he/she is running; or indicated they would not run three times? If it is the machinations of Arthur ‘getting rid of Rawle’ and using the branch to do the work, why not use them to get Mascoll there? My recollection of Ch. Ch. West indicated to me that the Bees have branches which understand their power and privilege and ar eprepared to sue it even if the leader wants something different. What I saw was a strident determined branch who exercised their power and got what they wanted. They looked and sounded mighty jubiliant to me. What I observed in the paper was that the list was reviewed and revised to the satsifaction of the contenders, did the rest of you miss that or it does not suit your thesis. Owen ‘mek case’ and come leh we hear what you all gine do to rescue this country, I need a tow.


  4. If memory serves St. George South brought out a decent crowd as well.

    What happened at St. James was encouraging for the BLP as well. One has to be fair and admit it.


  5. @ David BU

    Owen and his people might have won the war…but the battle is still to be fought.
    Can you imagine what might happen if Rawle decides to run as an Independent?
    Somebody’s votes will get cut…I wonder whose?!?!

    I’m no scientific pollster, but questioning random friends (I have them in all 3 parties) what transpired yesterday has left a bitter taste in both Bees, Dees and PEP mouths.

    Like I said, the war has been won but whither the battle???


  6. @David

    Correction

    I meant “Owen and his people might have won the battle, but the war is still to be fought”


  7. @ Cornwell

    No man is the other way ok.Battle first…. then the war.
    If you win the WAR..no more battles you got it?

    Cornwell I tell you already stick to things you know like feedin the ASS.
    When ya come in here ..ya might get hurt.

    The other alternative is do like EasyBoy…tek ya time.

  8. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Owen is back at square one. His pick was rejected.

  9. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    This BLP is taking one step forward and two steps backwards.

  10. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Cynthia, prepare yourself they are going to try at you next.
    The cannibalism in the BLP continues.

    What a sorry, power hungry bunch. Just cant wait to get their mits on our treasury once again, but it is all for nothing, the people of Barbados will not return to their vomit.


  11. @ Old Onion Bags

    You sitting on your eyes or something? didn’t you see the correction?

    Steeeuuupse — Typical BLP


  12. @ Cornwell

    Look you want me run up and bowl..annuda bouncer that you inept to play?
    A stitch in time can save a rhyme…..think of that Cornwall …and tell me what you think.


  13. Here is the flyer which was circulated in St. James North which did not make any difference to the outcome of the election.


  14. Old Windbag… aahhh that is Old onion Bags.

    I have asked you already why Owen Arthur has refused to convene a PAC meeting on the Bridgetown Marina project as he promised months ago ?

    Is it because Min. Sincler told him to walkm with the file on the project which originated under Owen as PM and Minister of Finance ?

    The Bajan electorate is watching and waiting.


  15. @BU.David: “Here is the flyer which was circulated in St. James North which did not make any difference to the outcome of the election.

    Have you (and others) considered the possibility that the elecotriate might not be quite as stupid as the electoral hopefuls think (or, at least, hope and prey?) they are?

    Just asking….


  16. @Chris

    You are correct that many can see this for what it is, politics.


  17. @David: “You are correct that many can see this for what it is, politics.

    So, then, would it be too much for the electorate to demand in the next election what has been promised by both parties many times, but never delivered:

    FREEDOM of INFORMATION LEGISLATION!!!!

    Every “developed” country has some form of it. We aspire to (and some claim we already are) “first world” status.

    Prove it.

    Or is that too much to ask? (Or, at least, hope for….)


  18. Andrew Brathwaite wrote a full page article in the Business Authority today making a similar call for FOI.


  19. @David: “Andrew Brathwaite wrote a full page article in the Business Authority today making a similar call for FOI.

    Really? Didn’t read it.

    Could you provide a URL to same?


  20. In my last post on this matter I suggested that Owen Arthur and his faction had got rid of Eastmond. Now hear what Arthur himself says…page 5 of today’s Nation…” I NEVER SOUGHT TO DEPOSE THE SITTING MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. I DID NOT . IT IS THIS BRANCH FOLLOWING THE PRECEPTS OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS WE MUST HAVE A NOMINATION IN THIS CONSTITUENCY.”
    So the issue of Eastmond being deposed is really about who deposed him, according to Arthur ; not whether he was deposed . I cannot imagine a more callous and insensitive statement by a former Prime Minister / leader of a political party. The man about whom he was speaking is a man who has given TWENTY ONE years of public service to the nation of Barbados and the party which Arthur now leads. Is Arthur not saying that that the ignominious treatment which Eastmond is now forced to face is alright so long as the blame can be shifted from him to ” THE BRANCH “? So is it alright that Eastmond has been put out to pasture with a most uncertain future ? And is he not justified , like Cardinal Wolsey, in musing.. ” had I but served my God with half the Zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age have left me naked to mine enemies ” ? I will therefore repeat an earlier question..WHAT DOES THIS ACT OF GROSS INDECENCY PORTEND FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BLP ?
    Only time will tell .
    I must however make the point..Mr Eastmond did not merely fail to turn up for the election : he had made it plain that he would take no part in an election exercise that is wholly foreign to the custom and practice of his party which, throughout its history, has granted all sitting members an automatic reconfirmation as the candidate for any up – coming general election. To this day the party officials who oppose Eastmond have failed to deal with this claim . Why must there now be a change in respect of Eastmond?
    We are now finally left to ask..where will Rawle Eastmond go from here after this public humiliation? Maybe the answer is blowing in the wind..


  21. @Fractured BLP | February 6, 2012 at 6:06 PM |
    I have asked you already why Owen Arthur has refused to convene a PAC meeting on the Bridgetown Marina

    Mr.man…Have I ever told you that I am spokesman for OSA.?
    Get real.. and stop make an ass of yourself.


  22. @Chris

    Don’t see the link online.


  23. hey politics as usual blp circular call hickson wolf in sheep clothing.! This indeed is interesting as OSA calls division in party as”mock’


  24. Dear ac
    What proof have you that it was a blp circular….?
    You are becoming vulgar. Not like you. Why this is not worth it.


  25. Come to think of it that sounds like a plant..to cause chaos.
    Everybody knows it….
    But its all ova and the BEE rallying again RIGHT ac?


  26. I have just finished reading Barbados Today of 5 February and noted with great interest certain statements reportedly attributed to Mr Rawle Eastmond in an interview carried by that newspaper. In an earlier post I made the observation that Eastmond was a victim of his own indecisiveness . However after reading the said interview I was left totally flummoxed , and indeed befuddled , at the position he is now reportedly taking. He says that he remains a loyal member of the BLP and will fight to help them recapture the government ; he compares his record of attendance at Parliament with that of colleagues who seldom turn up. After stating publicly that he was refusing to contest any election because it was repugnant to accepted custom and practice within the party for sitting members to face an electoral process for reconfirmation, he now says that he did not turn up because he was avoiding inflaming the passion of supporters.
    All of this presents Rawle Eastmond as a very confused, mixed-up man; he seems to be facing a credibility crisis and should be well warned to stay away from the political hustings if he does not wish his formerly very high standing as a politician to become sullied. LET ME PUT IT BLUNTLY..RAWLE EASTMOND CANNOT ANY LONGER BE A CREDIBLE ARTICULATOR OF BLP POLICY UNDER OWEN ARTHUR ; Eastmond has justifiably blamed his political demise on Owen Arthur . If he tries to disprove this averment he might well move from being the ” sacrificial lamb ” ( his own words ) to another politician void of all moral worth. It is therefore now left to Eastmond to decide how he would like Barbados to view him in the future . I believe that most of us see him as a man hard done by : that view can change overnight . History might not absolve him .
    In many ways, Eastmonds future as an ordinary citizen in this country lies in his own hands ; he should be rather more astute than he presently is .


  27. if ever a truer word wa spoken by mr sandiford it was his pronouncement that”politics was no sunday school’.and the machinations played out in both political parties here and in the caribbean surreptiously over the years and openly in recent times give credence to mr sandiford’s view. eagle eyed should be aware of treatment meted out to mr david estwick and mr kellman by their party although except for st john they are virtually impregnable in their strongholds.remember eagleeyed that there was a move afoot to prevent mr estwick from contesting the nomination for the constituency he was representing and his time longer than twine speech after his humiliation by mr thompson. i would not even deal with mr kellman’s treatment other than to acknowledge that he is politically smarter than we think as evidenced by his ability to fall in line .


  28. good effort tytony but i am still waiting to hear the erudite mr george brathwaithe respond to mr marshall’s assertions which run counter to the meat of his comments.


  29. @oinions

    Good Morning. Read BarbadosToday 6/2/2012. Full story.


  30. @ balance
    The fundamental difference between the Kellman , Estwick experience with their party and Eastmond’s , as i see it , is that in the case of the former two there were ATTEMPTS AT HUMILIATION ; in Eastmond’s case there has been a SUCCESSFUL HUMILIATION , publicly carried out.
    Do you accept this assessment ?


  31. @oinions sometimes it is good to stoke the fire it gets peoplerunning fuh de hose!

  32. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    A religious philosopher once wrote “that very few have accepted in principle or in practice that to rule is to serve. Power has turned men into beasts, patriots into fanatics, and saints into devils. Most men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. Whether in politics, business or even religion, authority can be a dangerous corruptive force – unless tempered by a sense of deep humility, to be used in the service of those who gave the authority in the first place”.

    This statement describes Owen”seethru”Athur to a T.


  33. @Eagled Eyed
    I wish to respond to your assumptions about the Rawle situation. I say one can disagree with you even using the same argument . Rawle is not coming to his postion because of any supposed humilation but simply because his man has won the nomination. Rawle was unsure that his man could come up against The St Andrew force and win. It was a lack of faith on his part and that explains all his worry. Rawle will work hard for Hinkson because he needs to show he has political clout and this seat has been in the column of the BLP for over sixty years losing only once. I understand your consternation but I think when you put the political puzzle together you would understand why Eastmond will stay and work hard for his man. Think on these things


  34. I find the Dems are such hypocrites. In this very same riding, St James North, the DLP General Council imposed Harry Husbands on the branch over Austin Husbands. Not a word from the supporters on this blog that that was wrong.

    The BLP had a nomination and the better man won. What was the party supposed to do, wait and wait on Rawle whilst he dilly-dallied. He was playing the branch for fools.

    The Christ Church West branch of the DLP had a nomination, Taan Abed got 80 votes and Verla Depeiza got 5 votes. The DLP overturned Taan Abed and made Verla the candidate. And nothing was wrong with that, right Dems???

    Then they forced a candidate on the St Thomas branch without a word to the branch’s executive and although the branch kicked up a fuss, the doctor remains in place.

    Now tell me, out of the two parties, who is more democratic?? Come on Dems, you have no credibility, deal with the big beam in your eyes before you attempt to criticize the BLP, we are head and shoulders over you!!!!


  35. Can anybody on this blog tell me what is PSEUDO-DEMOCRACY??


  36. And follow-up questions:
    Is the BLP a PSEUDO-DEMOCRATIC party
    Is the DLP a PSEUDO-DEMOCRATIC party?
    Is Barbados a PSEUDO-DEMOCRACY?


  37. Mia my ass !

    I am still waiting for phase 2 of the AX plan announced by the Prime Minister of Barbados


  38. @Random Thoughts: “Can anybody on this blog tell me what is PSEUDO-DEMOCRACY??

    Where we find ourselves in this “modern” age?


  39. Here is how Ian Bourne who attended the meeting recounted events on Sunday.


  40. @ True to form.
    Thank you for your observation and invitation to consider another point of view. if more contributors to this blog would act likewise there would be greater objectivity and less personal abuse hurled through this medium. Unfortunately though, after having read what Mr Eastmond had to say in today’s Nation newspaper, i cannot agree with your proposition . Mr Eastmond seems to be the voice crying in the wilderness complaining about the damage a ” flawed ” electoral process has visited upon him. It would seem , if we are to believe him, that the main reason he has not taken his case to Court is because “the judges are busy”. He has also complained bitterly of the denial to him of his right to be heard and being the victim of a ” backlash, including a financial backlash”.
    Now , in light of these sentiments, EXPRESSED BY MR EASTMOND HIMSELF , do you still hold your expressed view ? Please let me know.


  41. @True to form.

    Yours is an interesting view, agree with Eagle-Eye’s last comment.


  42. Refused to be heard? So the news stories about him meeting with OSA and the branch, and the scheduled meeting with OSA last week were both hoaxes?


  43. Onions here….I see you all have (for sometime now) nothing of value to discuss worth the time. The Mia and Owen showdown was an anti- climax. Mia being a no show left a lot of you just lupie.(lingering).
    Now you must see and believe what Onions had told you. Never the less, some wise ass presents a note as a last resort to satisfy the needs to have something scandalous and meaty.After all these attempts to dig up something… today again NOTHING….I guess as you have noticed I just withdrew, held my peace and smirk at all the nonsense. Have fun while we plan our next strategy (with earnest). Sunday 12th.

    RESCUE,REBUILD RESTORE

    @ David: Time for a new article please as this one has outlived its theme.


  44. @old onion bags: “David: Time for a new article please as this one has outlived its theme.

    Or, perhaps, not….


  45. @oinins

    You deserved a break! now go give Mia a hug !


  46. @Eagled EYed
    MY position is that Rawle is not putting humiliation high on his agenda. In this case Rawle believes he has won once the man he is backing has won Your point about humiliation is now a moot point and I think will not now bother him. If the result has been different would he have come lto the same conclusions ? I doubt it.Rawle has a seat to win for himself and the BLP and that would be his focus.Politics is about keeing your eagled eye on the ball and not to be distracted by other considerations, That is why even though you may make a point you cannot expect that this the major point.. I have said somewhere else that the list was not against Eastmond. Eastmond had expressed the desire to gvo since Mia was the leader and so three persons got in to the race to solicit members. I think that people were recruited who expressed a desire to be members and I cannnot blame a combatant who signs up members willing to join. When Rawle went back into the contest he blamed the forces in the DLP for joining up their memberss with the purpose lof getting the weaker person in.The protest by Rawle was in my virw because he was afraidf of the forces in St. Andrwew which in this cricumstance proved to be without effect. So all is well with his soul. Thinkl on these things


  47. @ ac
    I bet she is in fine hands.My hugs are for You.xxx lol


  48. @All…

    Please note the emprical…

    When things get serious, suddenly no one is serious.

    Do you think this is just by chance?


  49. David, Eagle,
    Does the utterances of Mr Eastmond sound to you like a man of a sound mind?? Just asking? (due respects to Just asking and true to form).


  50. oinions there is a dynamite duo in american politics they are married namely james carville and his wife Mary political miles apart.

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