Submitted by Ironside
There is going to be a by-election in St. George North and some parties have already announced their candidates. I will not waste time speculating about the reasons – real or imagined- why the sitting MP Glyne Clarke has resigned from parliament and is taking up a diplomatic post in Canada. That is for the gossip posse.
What is important is that this by-election has come at a time when the country is at the lowest ever in its economic performance and arguably at its lowest moral ebb. Politically, the country is experiencing a rise in de facto totalitarianism, a trend being reflected around the world and led by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).
Coming just over two years after the main election in 2018, the electioneering engines should not require too much of a warm up, especially in this weather! The core question is: will it be an acid test for the government or merely some quinine for covid-19?
I will leave the bulk of the statistical political punditry to the other bloggers who may more be skilled at the enterprise of analyzing historical voting patterns and the like. Interested readers can now make use of the site Caribbean Elections Website to fuel their punditry and speculations.
What I want to do, as succinctly as possible, is to state a few imperatives/hypotheses about the by-election.
THE RULING PARTY CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS BY-ELECTION. If it does it will confirm how we “feel”, namely, that the populace is no longer enamoured with the BLP and its leader what with the serial malfeasances it has committed over the last two years. If it wins, the pundits will put it down to hard core support in the constituency.
Your guess is as good as mine, though, as to whether the BLP is committing political suicide by running BWU union boss, Toni Moore. I know the BU historians will tell us about the union leaders who have run for political office over the years so I am looking forward to that rehash and the punditry that will follow. My rough estimate is that about 70% – 75% of Nationnews Facebook comments cast Ms. Moore’s selection negatively. One commentator bluntly hoped she would lose. But I concede that that is a small and perhaps irrelevant sample.
THE PDP CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO FIELD A CANDIDATE IN THIS BY-ELECTION. I have been following their Facebook communications and all other things considered, they have been doing a fairly decent job of dissecting the issues even for a small, neophyte opposition. So, not to field a candidate in the by-election would send a message that they are still not quite ready.
THE DLP CAN BE EXPECTED TO FIELD A CANDIDATE. After all, it has been predicting by-elections in two constituencies (Indar Weir’s and Trevor Prescod’s) for more than a year! Let’s see what they come up with! Again I leave my fellow bloggers to speculate…if they have time!
THE UPP MUST SHOW THAT IT HAS NOT LOST HOPE. It has fielded a candidate and we shall see how that plays out. All things considered, it gave a fairly good account of itself in 2018 election. What I “worry” about is their pedestrian and non-charismatic leadership.
GRENVILLE PHILLIPS [A.K.A SOLUTIONS BARBADOS] HAS ENTERED THE FRAY. Best of luck and more power to the Treasury!
Moving on smartly! What about issues to be raised in this by-election?
There are many hot, topical issues to inspire debate and conspire about: Covid-19, union betrayal, same sex unions, homosexual marriages, tourism, crime, BEST, neglect of the constituency, the push for republic status for Barbados and the “Thrown” Speech in general. The more enlightened and skilful party (parties) will throw in the Chinese influence in Barbados and the Caribbean. Just remember I did say “enlightened”!
All in all, I am looking forward to political theatre at its BEST!
well lets hope i am right this time. Cos Pat is absolutely the best man for the job. no experience sitting on the bench whether Mag or Supreme Court, affiliation with the BLP, right school etc. Those are the best qualities for success right there.
only makes one wonder why they held interviews for the post anyway when this chap was the right man for the job from the get go and he knew it too. he even bragged that he got it before he got it such was his confidence. really how could anyone deny or outdo him?
@Hal Austin September 28, 2020 12:07 PM
With this, I hope we can now get MORE traction on this Chinese (really CCP) matter IN BARBADOS. Many are already awake if you check recent Facebook comments.
I have been “preaching” about Communist China for months with video and other evidence and it has all been reduced to: let the big boys fight and let’s pick up the crumbs.
Please pardon my French, but some Barbadians are really educated asses; quick to have opinions but scant respect for evidence, far less logical reasoning. Worse still, some can’t master the “Queens English” and often define words to suit themselves. Some cannot ever see the bigger picture. Most things usually boil down to racism and slavery. Mental rigor mortis at its best! When you provide evidence, they simply ignore it and dig their heels as if that is going to change the truth. Pure stupidity!
It is past mind-boggling to understand how, when all the other nations in the world (not Just the USA) are running at the speed of light away from the Chinese (CCP) ( they call it “decoupling”); Barbados is running at the same speed in the opposite direction! See for yourself the clown from the neighbouring constituency of SGS (who has perfected that art of putting one’s foot in one’s mouth):
https://www.facebook.com/246784233190/posts/10157955021028191/?sfnsn=mo&extid=wgFXWMPKCStRlZrQ.
As I said elsewhere and as most nations across the world now understand, the covid-19 cover up by China (CCP) and Tedros of the WHO is the reason why we are in the current stinking economic mess and experiencing restricted freedom.
We should be kicking the Chinese out of Barbados; instead we are courting them and they us (because they have few “friends” left in the world, most being in the mendicant Caribbean).
It seems that this administration is willing to sign deals with the Devil to make itself look good. The love of money is truly the root of all evil! It is no wonder this government is taking on the bullying, propaganda-touting, totalitarian mantle of communist China!
As I said at the top of this article, in case you have forgotten, the issue of this government’s ties with the repressive, Christian-persecuting, culture assimilating (a la Borg of Star Trek ) and genocidal CCP (every charge here can be proven) should be a SERIOUS BY-ELECTION ISSUE and ongoing NATIONAL TALKING POINT.
SAY “NO” to Communist China and “YES” to freedom loving Taiwan!
@ Ironside
Please pardon my French, but some Barbadians are really educated asses; quick to have opinions but scant respect for evidence, far less logical reasoning. Worse still, some can’t master the “Queens English” and often define words to suit themselves. Some cannot ever see the bigger picture. Most things usually boil down to racism and slavery. Mental rigor mortis at its best! When you provide evidence, they simply ignore it and dig their heels as if that is going to change the truth. Pure stupidity!…(Quote)
What you have said is so right on so many levels. The False belief that we are an educated people, based on an ability to count to ten and to write our own name; the absence of logical reasoning in our conversation; the anticipation of what people mean, rather than ask a simple question; the sucking up to the Chinese.
All this is made worse by having an ineffective president who sees only her on inflated ego every time she looks ahead. I only part with you in the sense that we need a powerful nation to limit the brutalism of the US.
However, that does not mean we have to sell our souls to the Chinese (which you mistakingly call the CCP). As a nation, we are educated beggars.
We mist remember that government is by consent. We are a parliamentary democracy and the president has no respect for our democracy. She sees it as a technicality.
But far worse is the cowardice of our professional middle class, whose silence is complicit; the Bar Association, which is useless; the doctors, trade unions, the amoral church and, most of all, the gutless media. All put their jobs, and homes, and cars and life-styles before their sense of right and wrong.
We as a society, ALL of us, have failed. The unscrupulous president is just a child of a decaying public culture.
@ Hal Austin September 29, 2020 7:47 AM
However, that does not mean we have to sell our souls to the Chinese (which you mistakingly [sic] call the CCP).
++++++++++++
Hal, this naming business can get complicated. Let me explain.
The US certainly and an growing number of other nations, are making a distinction between the ordinary people of (mainland) China and the government also called the People’s Republic of China. The party running mainland China (1.4 billion people) is called the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).
The rationale for making a distinction between the people and the party (actually same distinction we are making in Barbados at this time) is best expressed by Pompero here:
I’ll give the full speech in a separate post.
You must also remember Taiwan which is an island state made up of Chinese. The CCP claims it. Taiwan is a democratic country made up of people who fled from mainland China when the CCP took over circa 1949.
Communist China forbids countries from having a separate diplomatic relationship with itself and Taiwan! Check it out!
Here is the full speech:
Hope these help.
Word on the street is that Pat Cheltenham is the new CJ. wuhloss muh belly. if true that is more friends and family business
Jobs all around for The President’s Circle. When the President’s agenda is complete the average Bajan gine be bawling. The idea of Barbados that was romanticized in the 60s/ 70 and becoming more of a nightmare with each day.
The so called middle class is is in ICU and the emergence of 2 distinct socio economic groups is coming clearly into view. Just a few more years and The President’s job should be complete. Well done!
Caswell,
is it true that ACOP Williams has been granted a two year extension?
@ Dullard
It will end in tears.
Everything in Barbados will end in tears for you lot. Many of you will probably whisper it in your last breath.
it will get worse
@Hal/Ironside 7:47
What a combination.
The two of you will replace Batman and Robin as the dynamic duo.
Great posts.
So , as those who get on BU and cuss people for the BLPDLP, should now learn that when you go to them for assistance or when they come offering you anything, it is best to beg somebody for a breadfruit , roast it and drink some water .
You lend a party stalwart $400 and expose him publicly but you forgot to mention that you offered him a high paying job to shut him up because he expresses differences with your administration.
BU should remember that a few months ago, I wrote that Caswell was being offered some enticements. Of course , since I am a known rabble rouser and strife maker, who live overseas, I was just being my usual anti-Mottley BLP self.
Anyway , what I just read in Barbados Today is that Senator Caswell Franklyn , is a Barbadian living overseas, who knows not one damn thing about what goes on in the country. People like him need to stand where the hell they are. He is just pulling down the country . ………….
@ Dullard
You said and de ole man quotes
“…Jobs all around for The President’s Circle. When the President’s agenda is complete the average Bajan gine be bawling.
The idea of Barbados that was romanticized in the 60s/ 70 and becoming more of a nightmare with each day.
The so called middle class is is in ICU and the emergence of 2 distinct socio economic groups is coming clearly into view.
Just a few more years and The President’s job should be complete. Well done!”
When de grandson made this Stoopid Cartoon below
http://imgur.com/gallery/LcNfe
It was on 2017!!!
At that time Dullard, many people here were unwilling and unable to discern the Mugabe Mottley threat
But I, Piece the Prophet, was able to see what Mottley is AND ANNOUNCE IT TO THE PEOPLE!
Now wunna starting to see THE DESPOT.
This Tony Moore fiasco will show if bajans want this Dictator or, like you, have “woken up” and want to be rid of Mugabe BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!
Surprised that the DLP has chosen Floyd Reifer to vie for the vacant SGN seat. I associate with cricket and I suppose may in SGN will too. Although Colin Spence has endorsed him (very sporting of him!) I think Spencer who is associated with hard -hitting calypso would have been a better choice in relation to the concept of political representation.
Would like to know what criteria the DLP interviewers used to chose Reifer.
ERRATA: That should be: ” I suppose [many] in SGN will too.
Ironside, the Chinese have plenty of friends, including Mercer who funded and orchestrated, via Cambridge Analtica, now Emerdata, Trump’s and Johnson’s ride into power.
https://louisproyect.org/2018/04/12/the-two-degrees-of-separation-between-robert-mercer-and-chinese-communism/
So what politicians spout, especially Trump, is a lot of nonsense because behind the scenes, their interests are less transparent and often downright suspicious.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, that puts the front page into a different context.
Your references to China only apply if we accept the front page version, whereas there is a lot more to the story.
Heard the DEMS were going to approach Floyd to be their candidate for St. George North, but dismissed it as a rumour.
Perhaps the Reifers popularity in St. George may have influenced their decision to ‘run’ him. However, he could prove to be a formidable opponent and intimidating to Toni, Grenville II and the other candidates.
‘Popularity’ worked for the BEES with ‘Sweet Boy’ Leroy Sisnett in St. Michael North East and failed for the DEES when “hard -hitting calypsonian,” the ‘Mighty Gabby’ ‘ran’ against ‘Billie’ Miller in the City.
You never know, Verla, Mariposa, Greene and the DLP may soon have a voice in Parliament.
@Artax
It is a smart decision to run Reifer, he has the homegrown brand and could benefit from a backlash of sentiment from SGN electorate who maybe looking for an excuse to express dissatisfaction with the government in the form of a protest vote.
@David,
v good move by Verla. although i must say that from what i have heard most of the Reifer St George clan are Bees. it makes for a v interesting race. both are political novice at least at the elective level. Good choice Verla.
@Greene
It will be up to Reifer to offer a commanding and compelling message on the platform. Toni Moore has the edge in this department.
what is Moore’s commanding and compelling platform message? i dont know Moore has any edge in that regard but she has an advantage from a historical point of view- it has been a BLP seat for 26 years. the Reifer name travels well in that part of St George and Floyd from all accounts is a personable chap. going to be a v interesting campaign
@Greene
Don’t be linear. Whether we agree or not Moore starts with the advantage. We wish Reifer well, it is good to see a fresh face.
>
Yes, David, Verla and the DEMS’ decision may have been a wise one.
But, their strategy must not be dependent on their candidate’s popularity and a perceived growing unpopularity of the BLP alone.
Mobilising the DLP faithful and voters who have become disenchanted with Mottley’s performance, to rally around Reifer within 90 days (or less), will be a test of Verla’s ‘political acumen.’
you have gone back to the word salad David. none of what you say departs from what i contended. so what gives?
@Greene
Toni Moore was introduced. She delivered a decent message about her desire to promote the labour cause from the walls of government bla bla. Follow her predecessors…it is Reifers turn.
Correct @Artax, re “‘Popularity’ worked for the BEES with ‘Sweet Boy’ Leroy Sisnett in St. Michael North East and failed for the DEES when “hard -hitting calypsonian,” the ‘Mighty Gabby’ ‘ran’ against ‘Billie’ Miller in the City.”
But beyond very strong ‘wishful thinking’ was Gaby really expected to best Billie … Sweet Boy was part of a Bee’s sweep of that election as I recall and again as memory serves he was swept out next term…
And of course Owen ran against his deep rooted DLPite family clan and eventually won on a BLP platform…
All that to say history tells us nothing about this fight of two political novices… so I completely agree with your other assertion that: “Mobilising the DLP faithful and voters who have become disenchanted with Mottley’s performance, to rally around Reifer within 90 days (or less), will be a test of Verla’s ‘political acumen” … With a super emphasis on the disenchantment!
Am I right in saying the by-election date has not yet been announced, yet the BLP is already out campaigning? Is this another deceptive act by the president to give her candidate an advantage?
Can’t she be straight for just once in her political life? Even if she were to lose it would not affect her command of parliament. It may bruise her ego, but then again that is very important to her. Her world-class credibility may be damaged.
“Whether we agree or not Moore starts with the advantage.”
@ David BU
I’ll have to agree with you. One cannot, in all seriousness, deny Moore’s advantage of speaking in public forums, whether it is appealing to union members, negotiating with employers, speaking at conferences hosted by various labour and other organisations or debating in the Senate.
Reifer can’t come with the usual rhetorical, political diatribe and expect to be taken seriously. Similarly to Grenville II, he and the DEMS should outline what policies they intend to implement for the benefit of the constituency and the island.
Toni Moore’s compelling platform is that she would be fighting for labour and labour issues from parliament. really? that is a winning platform? a labour union representative fighting for labour? man piss in muh pocket. every day you are trying to prove Hal right about bajan intelligence.
what she ought to outline is how she will do it generally and especially in the face of MAM routing 300 mil to the tourist sector in the hope that they will employ laid off workers. if that is what MAM intended why not give half to the NIS to extend benefits to laid off workers from the tourism sector and half to the said sector just in case tourism picks up they can resume business. other questions surround whether the 300 mil is a loan, what are the obligations of those who get this pay out, and must they employ all the people they laid off or a certain amount?
and yes Reifer must set out the general election policies of the DLP and his specific policies for SGN
@Greene
Agree she has to flesh out what she mentioned during the FIRST meeting in Flat Rock. The point, she starts with an advantage given her national profile etc. we will have to see if this is blunted by a swing against the government and a poor platform delivery by Reifer.
>
@ DPD
Leroy Sisnett ‘ran’ and won the St. Michael North East seat in the 1976 and 1981 general elections.
Interestingly, popularity also worked for the DEMS with then popular VOB radio personality, Steve Blackett.
Based on Ishmael Roett’s record in St. Michael Central, it was also “wishful thinking” Blackett would have beaten Roett’s protégé, Rudy Grant. But, Blackett triumphed…..
…. and I’m sure you’ll recall there was a ‘swing’ in 2008 as well. He also retained his ‘seat’ in the 2013 elections, at a time when sentiment was growing against Stuart and the DLP.
We could look at that situation from the perspective that Blackett was just as popular on the radio with callers then, as is Larry Mayers currently. His popularity increased when he moved from radio to reading CBC TV evening news.
Despite Roett’s record, perhaps Grant was punished by unforgiving DEMS because he was among many young politicians that for one reason or the other, were seduced by Arthur, to join the BLP……… and BEES that probably weren’t sure where his loyalty lay.
Patrick Gollop was also a very popular radio personality as well. But, I’m not sure if his prospects, if he ‘ran’ for either the DLP or BLP.
If the last paragraph is to be considered, I hope you’re not referring to me.
If you are, I NEVER mentioned anything about “Moore’s compelling platform would be fighting for labour and labour issues from parliament.”
@Artax, thank you for the correction re Sweet Boys two terms and not one…
… what we can say about our political scene is that ‘any number can play based on prevailing winds’! As you referenced re PG, what makes him less likely to succeed politically than Blackette or a Doug Hoyte or Mayers! What makes one popular insurance agent or lawyer successful politically and another not!
The formula seems fairly basic: popularity, charm (read that as good looks, a positive commanding image and decent verbal skills) and an appearance of being intelligent or at a minimum success in your life endeavors. Couple that with strong party support and a winner is assured it seems … but alas, NOT always!
So we can punditry as much as we like but with the variables surrounding this by-election a surprise victory for Reifer though NOT impossible would be a complete shock… because if Georgians ask themselves what his presence in the House offers them now then his election is doomed!
dpD
“because if Georgians ask themselves what his presence in the House offers them now then his election is doomed!”
please explain
@ DPD
I forgot about Doug Hoyte. He was a very popular television personality, rising from reading the CBC TV news to hosting ‘Mornin’ Barbados’ and interviews.
Yet, he was unsuccessful in his bid to become DLP parliamentarian.
Another example is ‘Natlee’ Harewood. The amount of ‘support’ she generated, perhaps based on her popularity as a hooker, when she ‘threw her hat in the ring’ to contest the 2018 general elections as an independent candidate for the City, one would have thought she would have received much more than 54 votes.
The support and suggestions she would have influenced social policy (or something similar) were ‘thrown through the window’ on election day. By that time, the novelty of a hooker ‘running’ for the House had worn off. Seriousness of the situation probably returned when her “Harry does like to eat botsy” videos on social media were considered.
Coincidentally, I was thinking similarly, re what “if Georgians ask themselves what (Reifer’s) presence in the House offers them now?” You answered that question.
@Greene, seriously! You are seeking an expantation on why a lone and ‘lowly’ opposition. MP would be considered as being :doomed” to defeat!
Alright bro… that would need to be done over a gin and tonic … on you!😎
@Artax, oh lordie yah rough… you are comparing an avowed and vocal ‘escort’ to a number of male media personalities … oh dear… not sure how to ‘wrap’ that one.
Would just say that 59 votes was a lot… can u imagine husbands explanning to wives or wives to husbands their vote… just jesting!
On a semi serious note … Natlee was just too open ended verbally for many folks tastes I would suggest… it’s one thing to use your female attributes to earn a living but being so raucous too!
I gone tho.
dpD,
strange statement that. I suppose then that the DLP, PdP and Solutions Barbados should give up and hand the seat to BLP becos it would be lonely in opposition.
@Greene
The third parties will cut votes from the DLP. Here is a good case for the fledgling opposition parties to agree to come together in the interest of increasing the possibility of increasing dissenting position in parliament. Our adversarial system would never permit!
David,
under which banner do you propose they come together?
@Greene
The DLP
>
i dont know. that may cause a problem for the PdP and SB parties which would want to propose a new philosophy and policies apart from that of the DLP
https://www.facebook.com/NationBarbados/videos/665019811087401/