est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

, ,

A Country In Waiting: Transparency Legislation Promised 1754 Days Ago and Counting

Barbadians were ready to change the government last general election for several reasons, an obvious third term lethargy at the top of the list. It did not stop the Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) from promising the sky and the 7 seas. One platform promise which resonated and persuaded many Independents to vote DLP was…

, , ,
Mara Thompson MP should defend her husband’s legacy by championing transparency legislation

Barbadians were ready to change the government last general election for several reasons, an obvious third term lethargy at the top of the list. It did not stop the Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) from promising the sky and the 7 seas. One platform promise which resonated and persuaded many Independents to vote DLP was Freedom of Information (FOI) and Integrity Legislation (IL).  Barbadians like many around the world became intoxicated by the message of hope promised by Obama, we bought into the same message of the late David Thompson and his team.

On the 20 November 2007 a resolution was laid by the late Prime Minister David Thompson in the House of Assembly giving his support to IL and FOI legislation to be drafted as soon as possible. We are about to enter anther general election five years later and ….If the government were to rush this legislation to book before the bell is rung one wonders if it would not be a dishonest act.

Barbados Underground (BU) is on record admitting to having bought into the Thompson message of enacting transparency legislation to improve governance in Barbados. To say we are sorely disappointed by the lack of priority given by this government to enacting transparency legislation would be an accurate statement. Five years later there is not even the sense, if we listen to members of parliament from the government side, that transparency legislation is top of mind.

One of the most interesting observations has been the lack of advocacy by the Fourth Estate and the Opposition Barbados Labour Party. If only there was a little attention in the same way CLICO got the full press from Kaymar. We know that politicians from both sides are lukewarm to transparency legislation. We the people wait!

It will be up to frustrated independents to decide whether to punish what they may deem an incalcitrant government.

See a copy of the resolution laid by the Late David Thompson in parliament to give effect to Integrity and Freedom of Information Legislation and an amendment to the Defamation Act.

  1. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    “.People have built villas along the west coast like the one at Green Sleeves.”

    Hants …AND? What are you trying to say? Have you ever been to Green Sleeves? Do you know how many acres it covers?

  2. NationBLPnewspaper Avatar
    NationBLPnewspaper

    @David(not BU but BLP)

    As a blind partisan, you will ignore the blatant journalistic sell out of the Nation newspaper because you can only see as far as your BLP blinkers will let you.
    Be fair and admit that the Nation newspaper has adopted a strategy of using BLP columnists to savage the government in their weekly commentary while depriving readers of any alternative perspective. You clearly do not beleive in fairness.

  3. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ NationBLPnewspaper | September 10, 2012 at 10:22 AM |
    “Be fair and admit that the Nation newspaper has adopted a strategy of using BLP columnists to savage the government in their weekly commentary”.

    The DLP does not need any Newspaper columnist to savage its administration. It is already doing a fine hatchet job on itself.

    But why do you continue to read that dirty rag sheet? Aren’t you afraid you might be getting subliminally brainwashed? Can’t you read only the Advocate to get the True lowdown on the DLP administration’s promises and performance? After all, that is the reason it is being paid handsomely from the taxpayers kitty directly and indirectly.

    PS & PS & PS:
    Please address the query repeated once more again and again:
    “Can you explain to us why did the ‘Sun on Saturday’ publish a brief write up about SMI Infrastructural Solutions with a photo of one of its principals named Bannister? The write up was about this man involvement with the redevelopment of the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal under a DLP Administration.”

  4. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    @nation critic,

    You are obviously deep in the bowels of the DLP and should know how badly the DLP treated the Nation. In 2007/8, the DLP felt that with the polls saying that they would win the election, they began to display their arrogance like we see today.

    The DLP withdrew their ads from the Nation. They gave 99% to the Advocate. Why dont you ask the Advocate for columns for the DLP? I do not know if they did not want the Nation to see that all the cheques were drawn on FAMILIES FIRST account with the dead king as the ONLY signatory.

    During the St John by-election, they did the same, calling back for their cheque and cancelling the ad and refused to place any more ads in the Nation for the rest of the campaign. Hartley Henry then did a nasty expo on a Nation editor and you really think that the Nation should give the DLP time or space in the very paper the DLP loves to hate to spew its propaganda?

    I would not, if I were the Nation. As David (not BU) told you, get up and get real!

  5. Janice Young Avatar
    Janice Young

    David | September 9, 2012 at 9:52 AM |
    A group which needs close scrutiny is the Customs Officers. Enough said!
    ———————————————
    What Customs Officers do you ?
    Are Customs Officers are easy targets for you and others who don’t want to get questioned, search or charged duty ?

    Come on ! Customs Officers did not make the Laws and if Customs Officers really had to enforce them to the letter -you would run hard hard and cry like a little baby

  6. David Avatar
    David

    We all know how some Customs officers operate but that is about to change soon.

  7. NationBLPnewspaper Avatar
    NationBLPnewspaper

    @Prodigal Son
    You are obviously sadly misinformed. The DLP advertised in the Nation newspaper all during the last general election campaign right up to the day before the election.You are misleading the public.

    Your argument seems to admit that the Nation newspaper is being vindictive.
    The Nation newspaper is campaigning for the opposition BLP by a strategy of refusing to give any balance to its commentary and trying to slant public opinion to the BLP.
    The Nation editors are fully aware of the political views of Albert Brandford, Ezra Alleyne, Peter Symmonds, Pat Hoyos and Clyde Mascoll but they refuse to give the public any columnists with alternative political opinions.
    The reason is simple- the Nation strategy is to use these columnists to promote the BLP so that when you read the Nation you will get a strong pro BLP perspective.

    The Nation newspaper has sold its journalistic integrity and we might realise one day soon that this might be good for a few politicians to get a free pass and avoid scrutiny but the majority of citizens regardless of which party they support will not benefit from the Nation newspaper promoting party above country.
    With this current Nation newspaper leadership, any story that puts Owen Arthur in a negative light will never make the front page.Is that good for Barbados?

  8. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Dear NationBLPnewspaper:

    And what about the Advocate?

  9. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Dear NationBLPnewspaper:

    People choose to buy the Nation. Or not.

    People choose to exercise their franchise in favour of the BLP. Or not.

    The Nation does not own the electorate.

    The BLP does not own the electorate.

    If you are a DLP partisan, run along and start campaigning for your party.
    Nobody is stoping you.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    The bigger issue here is how information can be manipulated by some. Should we be concerned as citizens? Of, course. Whether Nation, Adv ovate or the CBC is immaterial in this case.

  11. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    Dear NationBLPnewspaper:

    The late Prime Minister David Thompson said “the fatted calf will be slaughtered and shared” At the time I thought that this was foolish electioneering talk, because I was convinced that there was no fatted calf, (more likely a scrawny bad looking beast) but anyhow since I am only a Simple Simon I said to myself let me see how this slaughtering and sharing works out.

    Lo and behold the DLP now looking for freeness from the Nation. Methinks that the DLP should should use some of the fatted calf money to buy space in the Nation (but oh dear, dear, there never was any fatted calf was there?) That was only foolish electioneering talk

    Oh shute!!!

  12. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    David everybody (except me of course hee!!, hee!!) has an agenda, even you, or especially you.

    The Nation is under no obligation to participate in the DLP’s agenda (nor the BLP’s)

    The DLP should stop their childish crying and get to WORK. Nobody loves a cry baby.

    Note that the BLP is mounting their elections platforms nearly every weekend, and live streaming on their website.

    My question remains.

    Who or what is stopping the DLP from doing the same?

    As I said NOBODY LOVES A CRY BABY.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Simple

    This maybe a little complicated for you to understand i.e the role of the Fourth Estate.

  14. Brief Avatar
    Brief

    David:

    Ask the question, does it make any sense passing IL now that T’dad owns practically 50% of Bim?

    Keep a close eye at T’dad Government behaviour and see the reflection here in Bim. An amendment hurriedly passed on Aug 3, 2012 in Tdad will allow two Government buddies and a former campaign manager to walk free because the trial has not commenced.

    Furthermore, the Minister of Justice booked a hotel for public servants to sleep, wine and dine at a man under investigation for alleging to defraud his country in the Piarco Airpport scandal.

    Who stands to benefit from this new to Bdos legislation?

    Integrity??? Freedom of Information??? Ain’ making no difference in TT. A minister refused to take a breathalyser test and was fired. Justice Minister booked hotel owned by a man under investigation for extradition in the US and he is still employed.

    If Barbados would change the cadre of politicians I say go for the IL and FOI if you keep them all nothing will change. Tdad invests heavily in Bim do you really think that Starcom Group of Companies will broadcast/publish corruption in Gov’t should the BLP regain power?

    Did they ever? And which Police Officer will lay a charge against a Minister in this country? Or will the DPP say a word?

    Read up on TT. The CLICO trouble started under Manning he kept his mouth shut. The CLICO trouble started under Owen and Mia they kept their mouths shut and the SOI offered no further investigation or advice under the BLP.

    What are you really asking for? Legislation with teeth or gums?

    However, I encourage you keep pressing on, our children will take the baton and ask as well and we will hope for the change whilst agitating, requesting, praying etc, etc etc (Anna and the KIng).

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Brief

    Been following, note that Dumas has questioned the Integrity Commission about PM’s sister accompanying her on visits; the transparency of the decision making.

    Bottom line we have to do what we need to do and execute. Because they have failed it does not mean we can’t do a better job.

Older Comments
1 2

Leave a Reply to DuuhCancel reply

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading