Submitted by Observing
You are suffering and you are indirectly suffering the independents that support you. We like you, really we do. We believe that you have the most integrity and desire to help all Barbadians and with time could do so. But you are doing an atrocious job of showing it, proving it, or at the very least talking about it properly. Let me pause to offer a moment of sympathy for your departed leader, former PM David Thompson. He truly went too soon. He also left big boots to fill and an unfinished vision and mandate that desperately needed time and hard working, honest souls to bring it to fruition. Fast forward two years and we must now ask. What have you done? How have you done it? How have you shared it?
I’ll declare my hand and admit that my philosophy, leaning and beliefs endear me to the DLP rather than the BLP. But, my objectivity will always question right from wrong, good from bad, sense from nonsense and efficiency from ineptitude. In too many cases you have collectively chosen the latters. To make matters worse, it has been so blatant, so obvious, and in some cases so bumbling that it seems you are still now trying to “settle” into the role of government, four years after the fact.
While on that, let me turn to your chairman, the PM, the numero uno, Mr. Freundel Stuart. A good man. A liked man. A decent man. An intelligent man. But clearly a man with flaws in some of the critical areas of leadership, team building and emotional intelligence. They say a leader gets the job done. Full stop. But there are many tasks he/she must undertake and people he/she must work and talk with to get there. The jury will decide on Stuart’s performance as PM and leader. As for the team? Likeable fellows somewhat. But, complacent, sometimes arrogant and now conveniently blind to the very things that swept them into power, and are poised to sweep them out. They should pray for light.
We admit. We do not like the BLP so much (Their numerous supporters love them however). But, that is not good enough reason for us to come running to you when it feels like you have pushed us away, ignored us or both. We need to hear, to see and to feel that you are serious, sincere, genuine, thoughtful and selfless enough to work together for the betterment of this country. Anything less will render you to political obscurity for a long time to come.
We want to hear from you. Not via legislation or edited press releases. Not via grandiose verbosity and circumspect generalities. Not via international fireside chats that we happen to catch while on our sofas. No…from you…directly, bluntly and honesty.
Rest assured, many are watching. Many are thinking. Many are waiting and many are listening. Some like I are just observing. You have good talking points, use them. You have good ammunition, release it. You still have some confidence among the electorate, maximize it. What we are seeing now is far from stellar and definitely not enough to make me jump out of bed, pick up my “X” and award it to the generic candidate on your ticket. I’ll stay home first. A word to the wise. It’s not over yet, but you seem to be rushing it there.
I’ll provide one straightforward statistic that has nothing to do with the recent polls, and is but one of many laid strewn across my desk that convince me you have more than an uphill battle.
In 2008 you won by 8800 votes. Take out St. John and St. Lucy and that margin drops to 4,100 across 28 remaining constituencies. The maths isn’t hard to follow. A 3% swing is an illusion. A more accurate swing needed is in the region of 1.5% and even less in most places. There’s more discouraging statistical news where this came from.
Enough said.
Wake up and at least put up a reasonable fight…together.
Just Observing.
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