Submitted by Yardbroom

In the September 1994 General Election, Owen Seymour Arthur – a matter of days before his 45th birthday, 17th October – became Prime Minister of Barbados, he was of course leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and went on to hold that position until 15th January 2008 when the BLP lost the general election to the DLP – Democratic Labour Party – by 10 seats to 20.  During that reign – some might say an illustrious period – Owen Arthur became the longest serving Barbadian Prime Minister.  On the 19th January 2008 Arthur relinquished the leadership of the BLP and Mia Mottley was elected to that position.  He was reinstated and sworn in as leader of the BLP by a vote of confidence by four of his parliamentary colleagues on the 18th October 2010.

I will not dwell on the period January 2008 – October 2010 the Mia Mottley leadership interval.  I should make it quite clear this is not because of any misgivings about Mia Mottley it is just this submission is not about her.

In a relatively short time – months – the electorate will decide on the next government of Barbados; more should be pondered on than a simple reaction to the moment; a skip back in time should be part of that process.

“Barbados was in recession in the 1990s the previous 3 years had seen a steady decline.  After a readjustment, the economy had started to grow in 1993”.  It can be argued therefore that things had started to improve by 1994 when Arthur came to office.  However, to make such a bold statement to dismiss the achievements of Arthur would be disingenuous to the point of being absurd.

I will come to a “few” of the important General Election issues later but first a mention of the circumstances surrounding Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s appointment.

The late David Thompson Prime Minister of Barbados, died on October 23, 2010.  Leaders of the Democratic Labour Party held an emergency meeting on the morning of Thompson’s death and Stuart was chosen as the next Prime Minister.  He has had up to now approximately 19 months to put his stamp on Government.

I will now turn to a “few” of the issues that have caused or are causing concern to the electorate.  The Alexandra School dispute.  In a recent poll – be aware that the sample was minuscule – “when asked how would you grade Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s handling of the Alexandra School dispute?

24 votes, Poor        40.68%

15 votes, Excellent  25.42%

11 votes, Fair          18.64%

9 votes,    Good       15.25%

(Nation News April 20,2012)

If in a dispute as complex as this, with opinions polarized and the combined percentages of Excellent, Good and Fair amount to in excess of 58%.  I would say that is very reasonable.  You could counter argue that 18% Fair added to 40% Poor would also give 58%.  However, this was a problem he inherited and the Prime Minister found a mechanism for the teachers to return to work, children to be taught and a long term solution to a complex situation.  That some are still disgruntled is not uncommon in a difficult complex dispute….however, it is outcomes that matter, the school is functioning.

On the point of outcomes, Owen Arthur with reference to CLICO is alleged to have said. “They [the DLP] have a moral obligation because a former leader of the Democratic Labour Party was at the scene of every decision that was made by CLICO, that has brought CLICO to this sorry mess and it is about time that we start talking in these terms about David Thompson”

(Mike King Daily Nation April 2, 2012)

I am less inclined expediently to corral the late Prime Minister David Thompson into this issue as has been done – some would say there is  justification – because he is not here to defend himself.  However, an impartial mind is more likely to concur with Owen Arthur’s statement than dismiss it out of hand

Another issue of concern is that of Al Barrack.  It would be unkind to suggest that the Al Barrack situation has been dismissed from the Government’s thinking.  It should be noted that it was in November 2008 that Al Barrack received $2.5 million from the David Thompson Government.  We should also note this issue preceded his administration.  In a report also attributed to the Nation {3rd November 2011}Chris Sinckler Minister of Finance said “the legal battle with Barrack will very shortly come to an end”.  It was believed at that date the debt was close to $66 million that amount includes, principal interest and arbitration costs.  It it also the case that in September 2006 the arbitrator awarded Barrack $34, 490,518″.  The solving of an issue of this nature is more than simple dollars and cents.  It is fundamental to what makes us a functioning democracy, we must believe that there is fairness and justice and the systems are in place to see an honest delivery of them.  Not simply because of the Law but because of what is expected of “honest” people” and the integrity that goes with it.

On the point of people perhaps a word on the economy is fitting because proper governance of the people is what good Government is about. Dr. Delisle Worrell on the 18th January 2012 is reported to have said: “The Barbados economy has stabilised, but major economic growth still remains elusive”.  He added. ” key economic figures were trending in a positive direction though unemployment, averaging 12%, remained a bug-bear”.  I had a quick look at the GDP – Real Growth rate for Barbados {Figures CIA: Central Intelligence Agency. The World Fact book}

1.5%   2011
-1.2%  2010
-3%     2009

All is not lost for Barbados there are green shoots, even if small they are just starting to push through the top soil.  It is true that Almond is a major set-back and for that 12% who are unemployed, life cannot be easy. There is no “silver bullet” and we would be taken for fools to believe there is.  Our major tourists market is the UK.  The GDP of the UK declined by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2012 over the previous quarter.  Until there is an upturn in the UK economy there will be lean pickings for Barbados.  There is an argument we should diversify or look for new tourist markets – true – but this submission is about where we are now.

Although the concerns above are important, a vote for either Freundel Stuart or Owen Arthur will be dependent on more than the above – there is a limit to what can be said in any submission – it will also be about the kind of society we hope to become or aspire to.  We must ask ourselves which leader and those he leads has the experience, ability and perhaps most of all the “integrity” to bring about the kind of society Barbados deserves.