The Caswell Franklyn Column – Nothing But Empty Promises
Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Workers Union
The next general elections are constitutionally due in approximately two years. Very shortly I expect that candidates, from both major politically parties will be out on the hustings trying to convince the electorate that they deserve the people’s confidence.
In my view both parties have been underperforming in their respective roles and neither has done anything to distinguish themselves in the eyes of the voters. If anything the opposite is true.
Numerically, the Opposition is the strongest ever, and in the Barbados context it could not be any stronger. But instead of taking the fight to the Government, they seem to be lying around waiting for the Government to crash and burn.
I well remember that the Opposition which resulted from the 1986 general elections consisted of three persons; but they gave the Government a torrid time. However, if the current Opposition is remembered, they will go down in history as inflicting some telling blows on themselves leaving the Government relatively unscathed.
The most egregious blow, and the one that showed their inhumanity, was going after one of their own who was seriously ill; and eventually expelling her from the party. Its internecine warfare and failure to oppose are now notorious. They exhibit nothing that would demonstrate to the electorate that they merit elevation to government.
Unfortunately for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), their performance in office has been lacklustre at best. Admittedly, they came into office in the grip of an economic recession but the Government used that reason as an excuse for poor performance, which appears to be bordering on incompetence. They seem to have some sort of reverse Midas effect; everything they touch fails to produce a favourable outcome. They are clearly out of their depth and are tenaciously clinging to power, but certainly not for the good of the country.
Neither of the two parties in the House would fare well if the electorate were to judge them on their performance. This country therefore has a serious problem since, like nature, governance abhors a vacuum. So unless a credible alternative emerges, Barbados’ fate would remain in the hands of people who show only ambition but no aptitude for adequately managing the affairs of this country. If both parties were asking the electorate to return them on their performance alone, the Immigration Department would have to issue work permits to constitute a cabinet.
In my estimation, the Opposition is guilty of failing to keep the Government on it toes. On the other hand, the Government has been unfaithful to the electorate by failing to carry out its manifesto pledges.
Even if the country continues to let the administration use the world economic challenges as an excuse for its dismal failure to halt the country’s slide into moral and financial bankruptcy, they cannot be excused for not performing in areas that would not require money. The 2008 manifesto is replete with unfulfilled promises that would not require any significant outlay of the country’s scarce resources. It demonstrates to me, if to no one else, that the Democratic Labour Party’s only intention would have been to win the election.
On pages 6 and 34 of their manifesto, the DLP gave a commitment to ensure that at least 40 per cent of all Government’s procurement requests for goods and services would be reserved for small and medium-sized enterprises. So far that promise has been honoured in the breach. Further, at page 42, the DLP promised within 100 days to introduce the Agriculture Protection Act that will require a two-thirds majority of both Houses of Parliament for a change of use of land from agriculture. Also, at page 43, they promised that they would make it mandatory that any change of zoning of land would be approved by Parliament. Along with those went the promises to introduce integrity legislation and a code of conduct for ministers of government.
I can go on but I think that the point has been made. How can the people of this country continue to repose confidence in a party that consistently and historically fails to honour solemn commitments? Rather than do the things that they were elected to do, the Government seeks to distract the country away from its ineptitude by introducing the prospect of Barbados becoming a republic. Maybe they are serious about republicanism and refused to put it in their manifesto since they never seem to implement those pledges.
Caswell Franklyn is the general secretary of Unity Workers’ Union and a social commentator. Email: caswellf@hotmail.com.
Barbados Underground 
Caswell, I will query it before Bush Tea does. Time for BUP?
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He also has the option to help Grenville.
BU will ask Grenville to make contact with Caswell. Solutions Barbados appear to need some players participating with street smarts, no disrespect to Grenville of course.
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Jeff
I have tried politics; that is not my thing. The more I was exposed to it the more cynical I became. I don’t mind helping to change the corruption prone system but that would require constitutional change and integrity legislation. But integrity legislation is a must.
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To support your cynicism Caswell there is an opportunity for the Opposition to fill the public space with what they will do when elected read Transparency legislation and the lot. Especially now that the government has retreated from enacting anti corruption legislation and possibly FOI. We recall Mia and OSA waving a one page document in the House to declare assets but not a boy or girl followed. We have the transcript posted to BU quoting William Duguid confirming that to ask MPs to declare assets was not well received at the time.
Where do we go from here?
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But would anyone believe members of the political class now should they promise ITAL and FOI? Once bitten…
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Leave out BUP/Solutions et al and see if we can convince this chap to take over Bim.
Tanzania: Magufuli Hailed for Cutting Costs
Dar es Salaam — President John Magufuli’s cost-cutting measures may have had a negative effect in some areas, but economists believe in his first 100 days in office, the former Works minister has rekindled hope that an economically independent Tanzania is possible.
“Dr Magufuli’s 100 days in office have simply showed us that Tanzania can easily become economically independent if the leadership institutes prudent economic management measures,” said Prof Humphrey Moshi of the University of Dar es Salaam’s Economics Department.
The President did not waste time, but hit the ground running, introducing a raft of austerity measures targeting the curse of free spending in government.
He banned all but essential foreign travels by public servants – any government business in foreign countries would be handled by ambassadors.
He also restricted first class and business class tickets to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister. Ministers and CEOs of State agencies would use economy tickets together with the masses.
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Intersting, Mr Haynes, but can you see us doing that?
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*interesting, of course!
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@David at 8:03 AM…re Solutions Barbados…make that a deep conversation. Is Grenville really interested in elective politics as it relates to a real Barbadian society? It seems to me that he certainly wants to be involved in bringing improvements to the Nation – which is of course a noble and important goal – but involvement in Elective Politics, I think not.
This below is not the verbiage of a politician who plans to be out there talking to the citizens. He said: “We identified the main problems hindering Barbados’ development, and published effective and economical solutions. We will not pursue any new contentious issue that is not published on our web-site without getting a new mandate from the electorate.”
When was the fist mandate issued? And how one can lead and not be a leader on the difficult questions before us..
On the other-hand the remark below is that of a man focused on actually doing stuff to highlight possible new models and pathways to incremental change:
“On renewable energy, this needs to be an organic ‘bottom up’ solution. Government can facilitate this by providing every household with a small PV array that can power a cell phone. Once people see the immediate practical uses of this simple power source, they can add modular arrays as necessary to power their computers, TV etc…”
Change Agent. Absolutely!
Politician. Absolutely not!
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@ Jeff
Thank you for relieving Bushie of again having to make the BUP call…. 🙂
@ Caswell
You never ‘tried politics’…
What you tried was working WITH the Devil to do good. No one should now know better than you the futility of such an approach.
Only Enuff (and he has good reason…) and a few others still dare to suggest that a man with righteous intent should join with a bunch of selfish, incompetent, demons in any quest to serve the public…
Having learned your lesson (and it was a WORTHWHILE lesson to learn mind you…) you are now excellently placed to play THE CRITICALLY needed role in Barbados at this time.
You are ONLY needed for about four years…..
You are NOT NEEDED to ‘manage the economy’; to ‘run any ministries’; or to walk bout ‘begging for votes’…. many others can do these thing far better than you…
Your mission (should you accept it) is simply to introduce a radical system of GOVERNANCE and ACCOUNTABILITY in Barbados that has the ability, on an ongoing basis and long after you leave the scene, to enforce the rules of governance set up.
There is no need to reinvent any wheel….. You know all about the cooperative model. You know that MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL corporations are set up successfully as cooperatives….
You KNOW that cooperatives put the POWER into the hands of the PEOPLE to effect change; to ENFORCE openness; and to police integrity….
What the hell more do you need?
…for Bushie to come and actually hold your hand? …..or kick your tail?
Come on man … Mr Chairman of the National Supervisory Committee….
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Great post Caswell….the electorate cannot trust either political party.
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@ Caswell:
A brilliant piece of journalism.
An incisive and enlighteningly insightful analysis of the forebodingly dreary political landscape which now overshadows Bim. What a shadow of its former self!
You should consider being a peripatetic lecturer in political science. Jeff C should welcome your presence on the Hill.
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@ Miller
Steupsss…
Agreed it is an excellent paper, but shiite Miller…. what do we need another talking head at UWI do do?
Let the damn man BUP nuh….!!!
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Barbados has been grappling with crime; illegal immigrants; illegal vending; an influx of illegal drugs; people driving vehicles without current insurance and road taxes or valid driver’s license; mini buses continuing to “drag” during peak hours, thereby obstructing the free flow of traffic; robberies; burglaries and praedial larceny.
And guess what Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite is concerned about?
According to the March 2, 2016 edition of Barbados Today, Brathwaite is worried about “The BLP winning PR Battle.”
“……“I think, as a party, we have a lot to do in terms of our PR work. We have allowed over the last couple of years, the Barbados Labour Party, its PR machinery, to make the ascendency in much of what they do, even in terms of much of what we do and then we spend lots of time just playing catch up on a simplistic basis,” he told constituents at his first branch meeting for the year.”
Silly season is upon us.
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Well if memory serves me correct m I have seen the opposition with much purpose and intent to have and carry on a prolonged campaign triggered by division and nothing worthy of interacting public discourse on the relevant solutions on social or economy policies for the past eight years affecting this country. My memory also serves as a reminder that the opposition had made several promises to the CLICO pensioners of resolution whereby as the leadership had stated that the solution of taxpayers monies would be a good remedy of refunding the Clico money to the pensioners
To say the least the leadership grandiose expectations of make believe promises never made the “light” of day and has remained hidden under a bushel . Wisely the courts have intervened and took relevancy and importance to govt proposals as the safest and most secure way to pursue resolution,
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@ Artax
The DLP seems to be comprised of highly refined morons – after the AC mould…
But even so, the AG is hands down…the class clown…
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Art….we can now wonder if that was the reason Brathwaite was observed around 6:30 pm yesterday evening have a good old eat and drinkfest in BLP camp, read…restaurant in Paynes Bay and he did not look like there was any PR problem he seemed to be worried about…lol or maybe he wss getting some pointers…lol
AC…hush and stop making a bigger ass of yourself..
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@Jeff
Yes this is where we find ourselves and why the national conversation has switched to the need of a third party and BU adds reform.
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David, trouble may be that they might not believe any “third” party either. This is what Grenville, CUP and Bush Tea are up against.
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@Jeff
Yes this will be the challenge, concomitant with the launch of a third party is the leadership it will bring to invigorate that group which has become disengaged and apathetic.
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BU is so exciting and invigorating that I might change my plans of residency in Florida to residency in Barbados…
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ac March 6, 2016 at 10:32 AM #
“My memory also serves as a reminder that the opposition had made several promises to the CLICO pensioners of resolution whereby as the leadership had stated that the solution of taxpayers monies would be a good remedy of refunding the Clico money to the pensioners..…”
Based on the above comments, it is obvious this particular AC did not read the “Report to the High Court of Barbados CLICO International Life Insurance Limited (Under Judicial Management) Judicial Manager’s Final Recommendations – June 2013.”
“Based on recent discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Barbados, the Judicial Manager has recently RECEIVED a RESTRUCTURING PROPOSAL for CIL from the Government of Barbados. The objective of the proposal is to achieve a solution which does not involve any loss of principal amount for any individual policyholder (Traditional business or EFPA) in Barbados or the ECCU.” [Page 11]
How will the government of Barbados FINANCE the restructuring and establishment of NEWCO? The government will issue a BOND to finance its proposal to the Judicial Manager. Issuing bonds is a fancy term for “borrowing from households.”
“The Barbados Government will also DIRECTLY issue a BOND in the amount of $150MM which will be USED to PROVIDE ELIGIBLE ASSETS for the ECCU policies in NEWCO that are not covered by the ECCU Property Trust Bond ($117MM), and to COVER the ESTIMATED COST of IMPLEMENTING this RESTRUCTURING PLAN (such as repayment of secured creditors, unpaid amounts to policyholders and management fees ($33MM).” [Page 12]
So, tell us AC, what method the government proposes to use to repay the face value of the bond on maturity date? Will they use “payers’ monies” (which you obviously do not support) or money from the coffers of the Democratic Labour Party?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The AC also wrote: “Wisely the courts have intervened and took relevancy and importance to govt proposals as the safest and most secure way to pursue resolution.”
Nuff more shiite…….. the court DID NOT “intervene and took relevancy and importance to govt proposals.” If you read page 13 of the report, you would not have written that shiite.
“It is recognised that the above proposal by the Government of Barbados will also require APPROVAL of the ECCU Governments, REGULATORS and JUDICIAL MANAGERS given the regional nature of CIL.” [Page 13]
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@ Jeff
David, trouble may be that they might not believe any “third” party either. This is what Grenville, CUP and Bush Tea are up against
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EXACTLY CORRECT….
Which is why we do NOT have the luxury of waiting for typical ‘applicants’ at this particular time, but must ‘head-hunt’ for these VERY EXCLUSIVE AND RARE talents who have the integrity, fortitude, guts and plain BALLS to gain the trust skeptical brass bowls …who have been duped over and over for 40 years now….
People such as yourself, Caswell, Walter, Grenville (but not as spokesman 🙂 ) and some others that Bushie previously named…are needed to be co-opted (as a matter of National urgency) if there is to be ANY hope left of a turn-around for Barbados…
The alternative in not going to be pleasant….
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Jeff Cumberbatch March 6, 2016 at 9:54 AM #
Mr Cumberbatch,your question of itself is interesting as it suggests a lack of faith in your fellow countryman to do what you consider to be the right thing.
David Ellis on Brasstacks has just asked the same question I have been asking……where are the people coming from to create any new party….they come from us,the same way as our present politicians come from us…..we keep running from pillar to post,instead of going back to foundation and start fresh.
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Its not a “lack of faith” as you put it, Mr Haynes. Rather, its national culture. Where and when have we ever observed the like in you experience!
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Jeff Cumberbatch March 6, 2016 at 1:02 PM #
This gets curiouser,your suggestion that our national culture is responsible for champagne taste with mauby pockets,implementation deficit disorder and tiefing negates the continous harang from the hill and other places that we are African.
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Jeff Cumberbatch March 6, 2016 at 9:54 AM #
”
Intersting, Mr Haynes, but can you see us doing that?”
Why not Jeff ? coming from a man of your upstanding in society, your comment is indeed profound and does not bode well for the nation. Am I to understand from your comment that corruption is so endemic in this inspired exultant free nation that all is lost in this our fiftieth year of Independence to go upward and onward? Have you really given thought to your comment ?
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Obviously it is easy to do what Vincent posted in a dictatorship setup.
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No it does not Vincent. Abacha, Dos Santos, Museveni…not exactly paragons of virtue!
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David March 6, 2016 at 1:38 PM #
The man was elected….Tanzania is not a dictatorship.
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Jeff Cumberbatch March 6, 2016 at 1:39 PM #
So we agree that we are not African and that our home made culture is responsible for our actions.
So where do we go from here?
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If you say so Vincent. Bear in mind Tanzania was a 1 party state until the 80s 90s. The culture of government there must be seen in this context.
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David March 6, 2016 at 1:56 PM #
What I see is one man going against the rest to clean up his country literaly as well as figuratively,read what he has done in 100 days in a country that is broke with govt officials spending lavishly……he obviously has an agenda but we also know that pundits in that country do not expect him to live long….so kudos to him.
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The African dude wanted to clean up his country..they did the same in some other countries that was blighted by corruption and civil war. Those politicians in Barbados have to want to clean up the island, if not, ya wasting ya time. It will have to be a conscious and collective effort.
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Agreed, WW&C, it is all about political will…the urge to want to!
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Must disagree with you Jeff. If we operate based on the tenet that we get the government we deserve then it we the people who will have to find a way to hold our elected leaders accountable. By holding them accountable they will the consequence of not doing the right thing.
WE WE!!!
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Vincent…
There has NEVER been a time when the vast majority of citizens were all honest and upright and keen to serve the country and do the right thing….. NEVER was …NEVER will be…
Georgie Porgie says it all the time…. what USED to happen was that outstanding citizens were elevated to positions of authority BASED ON THEIR ABILITIES…and these talented individuals then acted out the roles of ‘benevolent dictators’ …and everyone – well most of us- benefitted.
What happens now is that the REALLY talented Bajans either have multiple options at ‘success’ by going overseas to serve OTHER countries; ….get pissed off by the lotta shiite forced on them by the set of jackasses who currently find themselves with ‘power’… or just simply keep a low profile and build a big wall around their property….
How did the jackasses come to take over…?
UWI…
…handing our bits of shiite paper-qualifications to whosoever came, in a bid to get a degree ‘into every home’ ….and then having this chaff paraded around as ‘educated’…….
…now we have come full circle……where under these ‘educated’ morons, the Albinos are regaining FULL control of the original plantations as well as ever other piece of shiite that the old folk saved, sacrificed and scrunted to accumulate….
Skippa…
Unless we HEAD-HUNT for TRUE talent, …and then BEG, cajole, bribe(?), inspire ..or what-ever it takes to get them to accept the responsibility, and then allow them to use GOOD SENSE to restore our country, …we will all stumble headlong over the precipice behind Froon, Mia and the other jackasses of the political class….
You can take that as John 3:16
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We are trapped in a system which, quite rightly, demands that government leaders first have to win elections. Upstanding people (who are not trying to enrich themselves but want to improve the lot of their fellow citizens) like Jeff, Caswell, many economists and many successful business people do not want to get their hands dirty with elective politics. So the question is how to break out of this BDLP cycle of corruption. As I said before, a group of wealthy individuals will have to bribe a prime minister to push through drastic changes to the system. Mo Ibrahim did something along these lines in Africa by offering US$1 million to any African leader who peacefully demitted office after an election. Our boys would probably turn up their noses at US$1 million though.
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@Ole Baje
You are probably correct if talk about is correct, low indeed.
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the BLP party once a party and the most favoured party for goverance in a fourteen year time span has now been regulated to sparring and emotionalism having a leader who spontaneously speaks in true yardfowls terms shows little or no respect for high office given her invisible irregularities to attend parliament debates has been known to be instrumental in wire tapping and up to present time has not been transparent in giving a truthful account of he LEC
Now the article tries to focus the reader attention on good goverance which begs the questions how can good goverance be maintained or sustained when those who wants to hold or control the reigns sees it fit to hide under the cover of pretentiousness all the while trying to sell stale wine in new bottles
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@David, Nice pun at 4:05pm!!!
Re your post at 3:04pm, what really can citizens do under the current state of affairs? Open rebellion? The quinquennial musical chairs? What?
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@ Jeff
Surely we are smart enough to use the VERY system itself, in the hands of the right people, to make the kind of systemic changes that will address our core weaknesses in the long term….
With a degree in every home, surely we can sell a proposal to Bajans to direct their vote next election towards a coherent plan, guided by proven, responsible Bajans …to institute a comprehensive change in the governance of the country…
That is what BUP offers…. and the biggest and only real challenge is to identify some suitable ‘change-agents’ who have the track record needed to gain the trust of Bajans….
…a basic PR program (like the one being used by SLOW/FLOW to separate bajan bowls from their money); a meeting of identified resources and support persons….; a bit of common sense from the large block of dissatisfied voters and ….BUP.
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Anyone mounting a platform on ITAL and FOI in the next election ought to be laughed at and voted against. It would show a lack of mature political thought and a proper analysis of the problems within our system.
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@ Enuff
You never cease to amaze….
Are these ‘problems within our system’ related to the universal epidemic of greed, bribe-taking and dishonesty that has been endemic within our political class..?
If we have no choice but to entertain such low life scum, then you are indeed correct.
However if we are talking about electing ladies and gentlemen of principles and morals such as Jeff, Caswell, Walter, GP etc, then Ital and FOI will be absolutely topical…and WILL be instituted…..
…so lump THAT 🙂
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I dont understand why ppl givin mia a hard time. If the opposition speaks ppl say dem pickin at everything.. If dem dont say nutten ppl still complain.. Smh
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http://ow.ly/Z8I5r
Now this how corrupt politicians, business people etc should be handled….nothing else will work.
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How about Mia just doing what is right and prudent and stop worrying about what people say….? Is it the role of opposition LEADER to follow the whims of brass bowls …or to LEAD the fight to get government to function in the country’s interests?
The problem is that Mia is just looking for power……
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Listed on pages 47 and 48 of their 2008 manifesto are SIX proposals the DEMS promised as follows:
Under a DLP government, the people will be kept informed of what the government is doing on their behalf through:
1) Regular press briefings following meetings of the Cabinet of Barbados
2) Press briefings by Ministries/Departments to inform Barbadians of major developments and changes
3) The publication of details of agreements and contracts involving the government and its agencies
4) Formal Ministerial statements at regular intervals on the progress of ongoing programmes and projects
5) A revision of and adherence to the rules regarding Parliamentary questions
6) A policy of formal reporting by parliamentarians to constituents on stewardship and issues affecting the constituencies.
I laughed after reading # 3 and 4, since the CAHILL project immediately came to mind. As at March 6, 2016, the Environment Minister, Denis Lowe, has not published any details of agreements or contracts “involving the government and its agencies” relative to CAHILL.
When pressured in parliament by the Opposition to fulfill this promised account for driving a vehicle owned by Trans-Tech Inc., Lowe responded by “emotionally” disclosing details of his autobiography, a document purporting to be his doctoral certificate and suggesting Mottley practices law in Barbados without a LEC.
NOT ONE T’ING ‘BOUT CAHILL.
Obviously, this 2008 election manifesto would have been prepared in 2007. However, in 2016 it seems as though Donville Inniss woke up one night feeling bored and decided to read the manifesto (NINE YEARS AFTER it was distributed) to realize that NOT ONE DEMS has kept their #6 promise: “A policy of formal reporting by parliamentarians to constituents on stewardship and issues affecting the constituencies.”
Following in the footsteps his new mentor, Donald “tell them what they want to hear” Trump, Donville told Barbadians he believed politicians should adhere to this promise. Nine years too late, with two years to the general elections, Donville seems to be on a path of self promotion and self preservation.
As we all know, the Prime Minister, Freundel “sleeping giant” Stuart has NOT held “Regular press briefings following meetings of the Cabinet of Barbados.”
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“….and up to present time has not been transparent in giving a truthful account of her LEC.”
Interesting point; however, I’m sure you CONVENIENTLY FORGOT that none other than the Attorney General of Barbados, Adriel Brathwaite, PROMISED to INVESTIGATE Denis Lowe’s allegations that Mottley does not have a LEC.
Perhaps the following excerpt from the June 18. 2015 edition of Barbados Today would cause your “memory to serve you as a reminder:”
“Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite today promised to investigate claims that a leading member of the Opposition did not have required certificate to practise law in Barbados under the Legal Professions Act, while shooting down allegations made against two Government colleagues.”
“We are going to look into that,” said Brathwaite in Parliament where Minister of Environment Dr Denis Lowe also challenged Mottley to produce her legal certification.”
Before assuming Mottley “has not been transparent in giving a truthful account of her LEC,” reasonable individuals among us would conclude that since Brathwaite PROMISED to INVESTIGATE, the ONUS was on him (NOT Mottley) to PRODUCE the necessary evidence so that she could be charged and brought before the court for “impersonating” a lawyer.
However, after almost NINE MONTHS Brathwaite “has not been transparent in giving a truthful account of her LEC,” and is yet to REVEAL if Mottley is a BONA FIDE lawyer and can LEGALLY PRACTICE LAW in Barbados.
Surely we must agree that if there were any untoward developments, the DEMS would have not hesitated to reveal Mottley as a fraud.
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The argument in defense of the DLP is that the 2008 manifesto was Thompson, Stuart was not nearly as strident when he led the party into general elections in 2013.
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Sir your argument stating that the AG has not said YEA or NAY about Mia LEC does not hold water however be mindful of the fact that his silence can be held until the time of his choosing to reveal
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No AC…you are not speaking to idiots….if Mia does not have the required certificate, Brathwaite is giving her the time she needs to acquire it, ya’ll yardfowls shoukd be living in Iran…..Mia is Brathwaite’s fellow “attorney” and friend…jackass.
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@Artax
Why don’t you ignore asinine comments? Give credit to others we are aware what ignorant comment read like. Don’t you get ac post deliberately provocative statements so as to stay relevant on the blog.?
As Bajans say, she want noticing.
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David you never ceases to amaze me now if ignorance is bliss you take all with your jackass response what relevancy
The issue of MIA LEC was brought up in a cross debate /discussion in parliament not by ac as long as Mia refused to show proof of her LEC it would remain relevant
Relevancy is not on what I say but on any given issue that remains” stayed”in the public domain
Jack ass you ought to be the last one to denounce or input your two sense worth on what anyone says after all the last time I check you were found lying down with dogs and having many fleas
Sir check your self first before casting judgment on others
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Enquiring eyes would remained focus on Mia LEC untils she shows full documentation that she has one. That too is relevant to the public by order of full transparency especially in her fight for high office.all things being equal
Dr lowe produce his certification .Therfore the same method is asked and being required of Mia.
Dont expect her travel to high office to be a high five of approval with disregard with an obvious disrespect of the people right to know
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Bush Tea March 6, 2016 at 9:54 PM #
Correct me if I am wrong according to your postings this country is made up of essentially BBs with a smattering of ladies and gentlemen……….so why would the majority BBS elect the said ladies and gentlemen as opposed to their own……..a bit of faulty logic ole son
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LOL @ Vincent
Saying ‘Correct me if i am wrong’ is being redundant…. You mostly are…. 🙂
The answer to your question should be obvious…
BBs will elect ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ as opposed to their own …when it becomes clear that their ass is grass….. as is currently the case…
Nothing gets a BB to think straight more effectively, than seeing no light at the end of Froon’s tunnel; or the prospect of jumping from Stinkliar’s frying pan ..into Mia’s fire….
Of course, once Caswell, Jeff, GP, Walter and company ‘BUP’ and get things back on track, you would KNOW that the BB’s (probably under yours and DIW’s leadership) will quickly revert to their own again ….who will again promise an easy life of materialistic bliss in exchange for their souls….
This is why the objective of BUP will be to change GOVERNANCE systems – even before focussing on the materialistic necessities of life ….so that when things get back on track, we will have SYSTEMS in place to KEEP them on track….even with you and DIW in charge.. 🙂
Keep the questions flowing V….
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Bushtea who ever send you tell dem I ain’t home. Back in 2007/08 you thought David Thompson and co. were “ladies and gentlemen of principles and morals” too. ITAL and FOI, then what…..Trinidad? Stupse.I reiterate my point, any party mounting a political campaign on FOI & ITAL in the next election should be laughed at and rejected. Sue me!!
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LOL @ enuff
“…tell dem you ain’t home?”
Wuh you think Bushie is a koolie man or wuh?
You can reiterate your point as much as you like…. um still want sharpening …cause that point ain’t marking fat…. just like your CSME point …. dull dull dull…
Face it Enuff…
Bajans are FED UP with your political class ..and can’t wait to send wunna asses to the grass …. where Bushie’s whacker will do the rest…. LOL ha ha ha
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young entrepreneurs with the aid of govt financing were able to deposit a substantial amount of money in the Barbados economy as a return on their investment..
The blp can bring out all the high rollers and cockeyed polls they want but they have to present viable alternatives if not the bit on their itsy bitsy solutions would be meager come next election
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The blp strong what a laugh from the asses posterior . the in house fighting might be in remission but cannot last until next election
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Every thing written in that Caswell article about the govt was said six years ago only to be met with laughter at the 2013 polls. the same would happen come 2018
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Bushtea, your concept of government and governance is stuck in the past. Until you recognise and embrace the fact that you’re also part of the political class, you will continue to speak as if under the influence of some hallucinogenic bush tea. lol
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This ac character is just a plain nuisance. The dlp is just clueless! When you dont know what to do you do what? Bring up another issue. #politicsofdistractions. On another note, dem int givin owen the lil pick as economic adviser nuhmore?
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@ Enuff
Honesty, hard work and selflessness are all old concepts from the past too….
Are you and your political friend ‘upgrading’ these old virtues too…?
…cause based on your side’s VECO /3S/Barrack and other ‘leanings’ ..and on the other side’s exploits with CLICO, CAHILL and Maloney, wunna have been ‘modernising’ like mad men….
Your disdain for Integrity and transparency is not at all surprising…
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Tourism is booming the blp clap traps have all been silenced ..oh not exactly as with all those other side bar issues they reinvent the wheel and holler how about the “spend” until they lost wind and realise that tourist money and it’s spend is not only accountable to one aspect of the economy but also contributes to high end investment like real estate
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The most egregious blow, and the one that showed their inhumanity, was going after one of their own who was seriously ill; and eventually expelling her from the party. Its internecine warfare and failure to oppose are now notorious. They exhibit nothing that would demonstrate to the electorate that they merit elevation to government.
True ! making OSA deliberate attempts at reconsidering his decision of making Mia leader of the BLP the correct way to proceed
Blunder after blunder and of yet to show or crave out a formidable direction that is indicative of strength for good governance
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Lol……look AC…lol…DBLP
Too Greedy
Ruling DLP is party of abandonment, claims Belle
Added by Fernella Wedderburn on March 8, 2016.
Saved under Local News, Politics
The ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is made up of a number of selfish “careerists” who practice the politics of abandonment when the going gets tough, noted political scientist Dr George Belle has charged.
Yet, the former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus has warned the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) that it cannot expect to win the next general election unless it makes the principles of social democracy part of its fundamental and distinctive characteristics.
Speaking last night at a BLP St Philip North branch meeting at the St Mark’s Resource Centre in Blades Hill, Belle accused the DLP of abandoning the policy of free tertiary education implemented by the country’s first Prime Minister Errol Barrow. He also warned that the end of free universal health care could be near.
“They don’t represent any cause. These are not social democrats. That is why they can tear down free university education. They would make you pay to go to the hospital saying that if you cannot pay something is wrong with you, because you are not successful,” he said to nods of agreement from BLP supporters.
In comparing the two parties, Belle said there were “some fellas that don’t represent no cause; what they represent is careerism, interested in themselves, selfishness, greed”.
However, making particular reference to former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, he said the BLP tended to navigate under pressure and not abandon social democracy.
The political scientist contended that although Arthur sought to allow capitalism to flourish, he “did not take down university education, he strengthened it”.
“These guys [the DLP] have surrendered and taken away the support from the students and if necessary make the people pay for public health. So you get abandonment under pressure from the DLP and you are getting navigation to save under the Barbados Labour Party, and that is the distinction that I am going to make,” he said in his speech on the relevance of parties in relation to a post-independence period and the chances of the BLP winning the 2018 general election.
Belle also flagged a number of other areas he said the BLP needed to change urgently if it wanted to win the next election.
Chief among these, he explained, was a “ground plan” similar to that of the United States Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders who he said inherited President Barrack Obama’s plan.
He said Sanders has engaged the attention of the youth who are rebelling against “the greedy people, the selfish people, the self-centred people. That’s what those young people have done in the States”.
“If you can respond to the young people here in the right way, you can tell them that your party built social democracy and you have to defend it and it gives you hope for the future. Greed is not going to give you that; selfishness is not going to give you that, so a big part of the responsibility of the Barbados Labour Party is that narrative. But I don’t know if you have time to do it for the next general election.
“The next election will be one that will be won the very traditional way; that the other party is going to lose and you will win. But if you are going to win in terms of that too, you have to be organized on the ground.”
Belle also advised the BLP to tap into the technological revolution now taking place in the country.
fernellawedderburn@barbadostoday.bb
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David is that a photo of you ,,,I like how you got the head cockeyed on both sides of the fence LOL
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Even if the country continues to let the administration use the world economic challenges as an excuse for its dismal failure to halt the country’s slide into moral and financial bankruptcy, they cannot be excused for not performing in areas that would not require money. The 2008 manifesto is replete with unfulfilled promises that would not require any significant outlay of the country’s scarce resources. It demonstrates to me, if to no one else, that the Democratic Labour Party’s only intention would have been to win the election.
REALLY ! SMFH
What areas of government does not require financial resources to perform at optimum level
Maybe BUSH shite can figure that one out next time he visit the class room and in addition use such rhetoric as a wheel of the BUP political plank
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The West Indies Cricket Board has rejected the recommendation of the CARICOM Review Panel on Cricket Governance for the dissolution of the WICB.
Although this decision may be unpopular among WI cricket supporters, many Barbadians, for example, are experiencing difficulties with the manner in which Freundel Stuart has been leading Barbados.
And there is enough evidence to suggest that the DLP is “allergic” to good governance, despite the fact they dedicated three pages to the topic in their 2008 election manifesto.
Ah mean, Kamla, Portia, Denzil Douglas, Stephenson King, Tillman Thomas and Baldwin Spencer did bad, and de electorate deal wid dem.
But after doing such a terrible job managing their respective island’s economies and adhering to good governance, cud anyone imagine Stuart, Kenny Anthony, Gonsalves, Mitchell, Gaston Browne or Timothy Harris “round de people cricket?”
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Here is a more fitting image to represent the yard fowls on both sides of the fence.
As concerning the political pimp and yardfowl Belle, his words do not mean one shite when his views remain influenced by partisan loyalty. Discrediting the piss poor DLP is no consolation coming from a yard fowl from another fence. Belle is a washed up poor rakey false former pollster who has no choice but to sing BLP praises for the rest of his life. His accuracy is as incorrect as me trying to pee in my potty while standing instead of sitting.
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SSS….all they panty exposed…lol
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@ Caswell
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is this the first time in the history of the Royal Barbados Police Force that so many officer were acting in gazetted and non-gazetted positions?
We now have an Acting Commissioner of Police; Acting Deputy Commissioner; a number of Acting Assistant Commissioners; the PRO is an Acting Assistant Superintendent; the Crime Prevention Officer – Acting Inspector; OIC, Financial Investigations – Acting Inspector; and there are also a number of Acting Sergeants and Station Sergeants as well.
Unfortunately, those officers who were denied promotions are apparently being victimized for subsequently filing a civil suit against the Attorney General. In some cases, officers who were junior in rank to those aggrieved officers were given double promotions, thereby superseding them in rank, resulting in them now being junior in rank to their former charges.
And in all this confusion we have Adriel Brathwaite whose tenure thus far suggests he should be ARRESTED and CHARGED by one of those acting policemen for IMPERSONATING an Attorney General.
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Was Mia channeling the same political rheteoric as Kamla when in her recent mouthings in parliament where a bill to protect the policies holders from another Insurance financial collapse
Is that the kind of sensitivity to be expected from Mia exuberance.
Good Lord of all the people Mia should quote should quoteis kalma
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Art…they are all actors.
AC….D&BLP, are all greedy, all selfish, all corrupt frauds….they should all be arrested.
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Well Well & Consequences March 8, 2016 at 10:29 AM #
Especially AC….. one can pretend to have intelligence for only a short period of time.
Hahahahahaha
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ARTAX
THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE THEY ALL ACTING! SO WHAT ELSE CAN THEY BE CALLED?
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What an insulting choice of words by Mia in her exuberance to chastize and criticize govt in their efforts to prevent another insurance collapse which would have invaribly hurt the policy holders and dealt a devastating blow to the economy
A minister of finance she would never be. Reason being she continues to mount a platform loaded with yardfowlisms pandering to that type of mentality
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A new ride any ideas as th where we are going?
http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/03/08/bigger-budget/
Bigger Budget | Barbados Today
Bigger Budget
Based on the Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue for the 2016-2017, which were laid in Parliament by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler earlier today, the Freundel Stuart administration will be spending more this year, including on wages and salaries.
However, the projected increase in total remuneration costs is not based on the current demands being made by trade unions for an increase in workers’ pay.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs put Government’s estimated total expenditure at $4.3 billion, which amounts to an increase of $92.5 million or 2.2% over the revised figure for 2015-2016. Of the total figure, $4.04 billion represents current expenditure while $1. 2 billion represents capital expenditure and amortisation.
Current revenue is projected at $2.7 billion.
“On the accrual basis, when amortization of $821.7 million is ta …
Barbados Today
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the tenacity of Yard fowl politics demonstrated by Mottley
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I predict the following promises for the next two years:
1) new big hospital for 1 billion BBD – fact check: They even cannot run the old one properly.
2) new airport – fact check: Where are the many tourists?
3) free university education – fact check: Where is the money for that?
4) new tax allowances – fact check: Where is the money for that?
5) lower food prices – fact check: Since when runs government a supermarket?
6) transparency laws – fact check: Since when do politicians in the Caribbean care about the common good?
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No New Investments without CLEAR TITLE to Land that Banks need to do many business in BIM,
GOOD TITLE DEEDS IS PROOF OF ON GOING FRAUD THAT BANKS DO NOT EXCEPT,
WELL THERE IS CLICO AND FIRST CARIBBEAN BANK ,WHERE THE MASSIVE LAND FRAUD WAS FINANCED and Laundered , remember we need COLLATERAL WHEN APPLYING FOR LOANS.AND THAT IS WHERE THE CLEAR TITLE COMES IN TO PLAY.
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Common sense slso dictates and directs that if the process to pursue by legal avenues is going to be costly to the taxpayers 👛 with plenty legal hurdles to overcome and time consuming then the best way forward is prudence
Sufficit to say that those who were accused in these high crimes and malfeasances are not longer in charge of the govt/ taxpayers purse.
The voters heard answered the call of making the necessary changes.
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You ignorant AC pimp, you really believe that the DLP ain’t doing the same thieving shite that the crooks from the BLP did not do. You really think you can paint a squeaky clean picture of these morons when Low Lowe showed clearly how low he will go to get his. You really think that 3-PM can hide behind his silent cloak wanna appear upright after calling a crook friend and telling the speaker of the chair practically you can remain without consequence. I know you are on the take sweet P, but oh shite you do not have to make it so obvious that where the shit go you will follow.
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What commonsense AC…who told you to say that…lol
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Insanity – doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result each time.
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