est. 2007

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The Duopoly | Third Parties Failing So Far

A year or so ago when I said that any new party mounting a platform on transparency and integrity in 2018 can’t get my vote, I was ridiculed. Barbados is in an economic morass, the electorate is looking for leadership, experience and a track record that combine to instill a level of confidence and belief…

Mia Mottley and Freundel Stuart represent the duopoly

A year or so ago when I said that any new party mounting a platform on transparency and integrity in 2018 can’t get my vote, I was ridiculed. Barbados is in an economic morass, the electorate is looking for leadership, experience and a track record that combine to instill a level of confidence and belief in the people that the government can get us out of the current situation. The new parties are peddling catch phrases and sound bites–innovation, entrepreneurship, restructure, 11+, food security, AE, culture and of course FOI and IL. Nothing short of palaver more suited for Alice . If the last 9 years has taught us one lesson it should be that talking policy and actually implementing policy are not the same kettle of fish. This is not an election for alternative parties – Enuff

Based on the evidence of the recent CADRES poll third parties have not gained traction in Barbados in the lead in to the next general election constitutionally due in less than one year. This is despite a political, economic and social climate that should be presenting opportunities to all comers. From behind BU’s dashboard it seems clear the choices of political parties to govern Barbados STILL top of mind of the electorate are the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), the Duopoly.

Even Owen Arthur appears on the radar ahead of leaders of the so called third parties.

Both political parties command significant support from the respective bases which represent a significant percentage of the perennial total vote. It is worth noting that the total number of those who are eligible to vote rarely has exceeded 70% . Too besides, none of the third parties on offer have been able to present a compelling message anchored in a differentiating philosophy from the BLP and DLP. This is made all the more distressing in the resignation that both BLP and DLP have adopted a reactive approach to governing Barbados. Management by crisis!

65 responses to “The Duopoly | Third Parties Failing So Far”

  1. Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences Observing Blogger

    David Bartholomew, an engineer …

    He is a mechanical engineer, but is he working on the buses personally and on each bus individually himself.. that it’s taking so long at taxpayer’s expense, without results, have they imported Trini mechanics as well…..

    Michael Lashley cannot be trusted.

  2. Ali Baba Avatar
    Ali Baba

    well well u serious? 22,000 per month wow, there had ah man at transport board name RICHARD DAWE ah mechanical engineer, spent over 25 years in london transport…had transport board buses up an running. he was so good that MR. DAWE USE TO INSPECT THOSE BUSSES AT WEYMOUTH, send the paper work to the pine visa versa an the buses would be rolling. this stinking rotten, nasty gov. send home drivers an paying out that kinda money per month!! and now those buses have to go in the pine to get inspect. TRUE SEND OUT DAWE/SEND HOME DRIVERS…………..WOW

  3. Talking Loud Saying Nothing Avatar
    Talking Loud Saying Nothing

    Why the clamour for more third parties to enter the murky world of Barbados politics? The spectre that haunts our politics and our political parties has always been unchecked corruption. How does one propose putting a lid on corruption?

    Instead of talking about so-called third parties may i suggest that you clean up and reform those two corrupt political entities: the DLP and the BLP.

    We are living in truly dangerous times. The political scandal emerging from South Africa mirrors very closely what is taking place in Barbados under Stuart’s leadership.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-40664500/south-africa-s-gupta-scandal

  4. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    In summary
    – The unions hinder government’s ability to collect its legitimate revenue by opposing security cameras and supporting eye servants and bribees.
    – The business people hinder government’s ability to collect its legitimate revenue by bribing public servants rather than paying required taxes and other imposts.
    – The unions and businesses decide to protest when government implements measures to ensure the collection of its revenue that it is being hindered from collecting.
    – Then you call me an alien.

  5. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    Enuff

    The call, the cry, the cuss, and the lot of long talks were all made for better governance. Are we any closer to realising it under the duopoly that makes promises each time but renege on them every time?
    To continue calling for it, crying for it, and cussing for it, without a far more extreme form of agitation will only reinforce in the minds of those who have divided in order to rule, that they have nothing to fear from Barbadians, come what may. Notice that Mia Mottley has not seen it fit to address the real issue of good governance and that is, the need to make all government operations transparent, accountable and backed by legislation that will ensure any politician and every politician falls under a set rules that can incriminate them or incarcerate them for possible wrong doing.
    Can we really expect any real change from her base on what we know about her? Does she take the auditor general’s reports serious enough to see that the real problem in our governance is wastage and pilferage? I would love to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I can’t when she is about retaining loyalty and not necessarily persons with good integrity. The BLP under these named persons: Dale Marshall, Glyne Clarke, George Payne, Jerome Walcott, and Clyde Mascoll did a lot of shite and are not exactly big on integrity and transparency.
    I, therefore, have nothing to lose if I promote a Solutions Party as viable third, which I intend to do, regardless if we see many flaws in the political model they are presenting.
    Are we any better off under the B and DLP models presented to us over several decades?
    The alternative parties chances are only slim because the landscape of the political system in Barbados is not base on the effectiveness of good governance but on the ability of each political candidate to meet needs, provide jobs, and give a little.
    If that is what makes Barbados loyal to the Bs and Ds then we know up front that Solutions Party and the UPP does not stand a chance, unless they are prepared to fork out more and let the dow flow. Because, to achieve this, you have to be in cahoots with certain private sector operations to get the much needed campaign financing to give away plenty bread and return the favours given through the giving of the agreed contractual arrangements.
    That is the greasy wheel that continues and I have no reason to doubt that under Mottley it will not be the same.
    If you are talking about weaknesses you should see clearly that is one of the main ones, because only through these particular bribes, trades, exchanges, or vote buying endeavours, can a party successfully navigate its way into the halls of government as the elected.
    I have to agree with Granville when he highlighted that, because at the end of the day, the selection of the party is not base on how well they can or have governed, but on how much they have given. Granville, therefore, cannot be any weaker, or worse-r, or any less effective, and we will not know that if we do not give him, or any of the alternatives a chance to prove their worth. The DLP and BLP have all shown us theirs! Nothing to lose with an alternative.

  6. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    Ali baba

    The DLP are simply a bunch of pretending sycophants. Their ignorance beyond analysis. You fired a woman, and continue to pay her a full salary of thousands for 7 years. Tell me what more cuntery can you want than that. And, this pompersetting Prime Minister wants people to see him as on top of things. Stuuuuuuuupse

  7. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    Welcome to Sodom and Gomorrah.

  8. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    Bushie

    What ‘message’ what?

    That kind of talk only shows your positional, perennial weakness

    And the BLP, the duopoly, anticipates that

    After all these years, you really think there could be more than a snow’s chance in hell for such begging to be successful

    You are in no position to make demands of the duopoly anyhow.

    All of this ‘serious’ talk is no more than complaining to Shatan and the Devil

    The word of your God states that within 3 years we will be in this position under the BLP

    Just like 3 years into this DLP regime

  9. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    snow ball’s chance

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Old Baje

    Will accede shortly to a few requests to share an opinion on the March tomorrow.

  11. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Pacha

    Boss, in the final analysis, the people WILL get exactly what they deserve.

    If they wrest control away from the CLEARLY incompetent and dishonest idiots in the DLP ..AND if they send a clear message to the BLP that certain standards of ethical and professional behaviours must be maintained …. OR ELSE….

    …then the people may have pulled themselves by the bootstraps from disaster.

    Now, what you are saying is that this WON’T happen….
    Sorry for you if you think that Bushie disagrees with you…
    …. cause Bushie knows that Brass Bowls don’t take polish easy…

    BUT we have to give them the benefit of the doubt don’t we….
    If, as Herbert said, they stay home tomorrow and empower the political parasites then woe betides our collective asses….

    …but who knows, miracles have been known to occur…..

  12. Hamilton A Hill Avatar
    Hamilton A Hill

    I think that it was Owen Arthur who once said that Bajans want to go to heaven but don’t want to die. Today they are showing that they expect gain without the experience of any pain/inconvenience. Yes there are political operatives out there seeking to throw monkey wrenches into the mix,and I am talking here about operatives from both sides of the fence. Yes there are those who for personal and selfish reasons will offer resistance. We have long seen the blatant disregard this administration has for the tried and tested process of Collective Bargaining. Go all the way back to the issuance of option forms to Custom Officers right in the middle of negotiations. Do ya really think such would have been attempted if there was mutual respect between the government and the trade union movement? That tactic would not even have entered their minds if they were not confident in their practice of devide and conquer. That two sworn trade unionists in the persons of Derek Alleyne and education minister Ronald Jones sit in their midst is bothersome to me,especially when this administration seeks to advance an argument about cards being stacked against them. We have a situation where every facet of governmental operation has seemingly adopted the style of the leader of government. How many instances have we heard of where letters of query and other reasons have been ignored, and this practice has become commonplace, yet we claim to hold interest in productivity. Our Prime Minister has made it clear that even if it is seen as disrespectful, having an audience with wider Barbados is not a priority. The Astor Watts lecture is where ministerial information can be gleaned. Other than that there is always the Sunday Afternoon special in some constituency where we cuss those who choose to oppose. In response to a question relative to the leaders of the trade union movement our Prime Minister spoke dismissively of “hearing noises”. Now is the time to put his hearing to the test. Dr Don Marshall surely cannot seriously question the fact that the demographic hardest impacted by the dreaded NSRL is the core base of the trade union movement, so perhaps his next statement will address allegiance and where is its best location. I say that this is bigger than any party. This is about the restoration of quality of life in Barbados. This is about sending most pellucidly the message that there can no longer be Business As Usual. People are hurting here, and a simple return to the avenue of dialogue is being met with pig headed resistance. This administration and any other that replaces it must be made to accept the basic tenet of respect. It’s called RECIPROCITY. When given….it is gotten in return.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Hamilton

    Bear in mind the standing of Chris Sinckler in those negotiations with Customs and BRA was questioned and he trivialized the query. The chickens are coming home now.

  14. Alien Avatar
    Alien

    PM, it is time for the anointed one and the serfs must follow. On what other occasion would the unions and businesses join together?

  15. Well Well @ Consequences Observing Blogger Avatar
    Well Well @ Consequences Observing Blogger

    Ali…many world class mechanics, bajans who worked at London Transport for decades, some started their careers at TB on Weymouth prior to emigrating, returned and offered these thiefing ministers their services and vast experience to keep TB buses well maintained and operational and they were all turned down, by both governments.

    no need to say anymore.

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