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DLP Supporters Must be Feeling Punch Drunk

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The Democratic Labour Party (DLP)- that beleaguered twin of the duopoly- is in the news again, what is new?

It has been reported that the widely debated two appointments to the Senate will be made today at last by the President of the Republic of Barbados. The press report in today’s newspaper names the two to be Dr. Kristina Hinds and Dr. Charleston Brathwaite. This has come about because the government withdrew a proposed contentious constitutional amendment to allow opposition parties to appoint Senators even if they failed to win seats in the Lower House.

The second news of concern for the DLP informs of the suspension of Pedro Shepherd and Alwyn Babb from the public service with half pay for contesting the last general election under the DLP banner. The BU family will recall this matter was highlighted on BU in the lead up to the 2022 general election see link:

Picking and Choosing

Posted on by David 57 comments

The DLP leadership and supporters must be feeling punch drunk with all the blows it has been getting, and not just lately. It had to endure the enigmatic Freundel Stuart’s stewardship after he was selected the compromised candidate when perceived shining star late prime minister David Thompson unfortunately died in office.

The DLP may still have the last laugh and in the process recoup a little credibility if its acolyte in former Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite wins the appeal to the CCJ seeking to invalidate the decision to constitute the Upper House with 18 members. 

In related news he public was advised recently by de facto president of the DLP Steve Blackett 4 nominees have been selected to contest the vacancy left by the abrupt departure of Verla De Peiza. Time will tell if the leader selected will bring the leadership to whip the DLP into a fit for purpose shape.

The blogmaster’s regret continues to be the inability of others to step forward when there is a vacuum of political representation in the country. Where is the legitimacy in an argument which criticizes the two main political parties but worthy citizens are unwilling to offer themselves for public service to present a credible alternative.

#maninthemirror

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204 responses to “DLP Supporters Must be Feeling Punch Drunk”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    Shepherd, Babb to face charges

    By Colville Mounsey colvillemounsey@nationnews.com

    The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is crying victimisation following a decision of the Ministry of Public Service to bring disciplinary charges against two of its candidates in the January 19 General Election.
    Pedro Shepherd, who contested the St Michael South East constituency, and Alwyn Babb, who ran in St Peter, have been both suspended with half-pay pending the outcome of disciplinary hearings related to their participation in the DLP’s campaign.
    Babb and Shepherd, both teachers, face four charges of breaching “Paragraph 15(1) of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, categorised as misconduct of a serious nature in Paragraph 2 of the Code of Discipline in the Public Service”. They were also charged with breaches under the Public Service Act, Cap 29.
    In the correspondence sent to the two teachers, dated April 4, 2022, the first charge states that they “committed misconduct of a serious nature between the 3rd day of January 2022 and the 19th day of January 2022, when you as a public officer participated in the 2022 General Election as the Democratic Labour Party candidate . . . contrary to General Order 3.18.1 of the General Orders for the Public Service 1970”. It was also deemed “a contravention of Paragraph 2(h) of the Code of Discipline set out in the schedule of the Public Service Act Cap 29”.
    Section 3.18.1 of the General Orders states: Officers and employees are expressly forbidden to participate actively in politics, including the following: (a) being adopted as a parliamentary candidate; (b) canvassing on behalf of any party or candidate for election to the House of Assembly; (c) acting as agents or sub-agents for any candidate for election; (d) holding office in party political organisations; and (e) speaking at political meetings. Track and field coach Babb has retained the services of general secretary of the Unity Workers’ Union, Caswell Franklyn. He declined to comment when the Weekend Nation team caught up with him at the Lester Vaughan School where he was coaching and directed all queries to Franklyn. Meantime, Shepherd, a teacher at Wilkie Cumberbatch, also declined to comment yesterday and met with the Barbados Union of Teachers, which he previous led as president, to devise a response to the charges. Interim president of the DLP, Steve Blackett, said the development smacks of victimisation. He alleged that multiple civil servants not only acted as agents of candidates of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), but mounted the political platform on occasions. “I have seen, and I know that there are members of the Barbados Labour Party who participated in the last General Election [and] spoke on platforms. They were even intimately involved in the campaigns of some Barbados Labour Party candidates. As far as I know, nothing has been done, no charges have been brought against those people. “They might
    argue that those persons were just participating at the constituency level and they weren’t candidates, but rules are rules and I feel confident that our candidates did not breach any rules. So we are watching the situation as it develops,” said Blackett, adding the DLP was ready to fight the matter tooth and nail.
    “The DLP is standing ready to do whatever it takes because these were standard-bearers of the party in the general elections, and we are not going to kick them to the curb or neglect them. Whatever is their fight, is the fight of the Democratic Labour Party. If you hit one, you hit all and that is our philosophy. We will stand locked hand in hand with them along the way,” he added.
    Franklyn concurred. He too questioned why the two were “singled out”.
    He disclosed that he has already responded to the charges, pointing out that Section 44 of the Barbados Constitution only prohibits three categories of public officers from being elected to the House of Assembly – judges, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Auditor General.
    “The Government has no case, but even if they had a case, one has to question why they are pursuing this now. We had other people participating during the election campaign. We had teachers who were election agents in the Barbados Labour Party camp. We have public officers who spoke on platforms. So why go after only the Democratic Labour Party people who participated in the election? This is my biggest problem because other people did it,” he said.

    Source: Nation

  2. David Avatar
    David

    Hinds, Brathwaite tipped for Senate
    Political scientist Dr Kristina Hinds isn’t tipping her hand on if she will be one of the two senators to be sworn in today, but agricultural expert Dr Chelston Brathwaite has confirmed he will be taking the oath.
    The final two senators for the Chamber will be named and sworn in by The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, President of Barbados, this morning at State House.
    Rumours were rampant yesterday
    that Hinds, a host of
    Starcom Network’s
    popular radio call-in programme Down To Brasstacks, was one of the choices.
    When contacted yesterday, the senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus would only say: “I’m not willing to go on the record to confirm that. I believe that that is for the President to announce who she has selected.
    “I can’t deny it’s true. That is for her to announce.” Brathwaite, who reserved further comment until after today’s ceremony, was previously Ambassador to China and former head of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. ( BA)

    Source: Nation

  3. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Feeling punch drunk would have in my opinion seeing executive rights deemed in the constituion solely to the President handed to the PM in a clandestine fashion
    On the other issue of the dlp not given the seats by the President such now to be exposed is the nasty under belly pretentious political interference that has extended itself to the President
    in a manner to punish the dlp
    However as previously stated the intents of the Constitution stays in place as was intended leaving no room for the PM to have more power in her executions by will and offers

  4. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    So where are the famous corruption charges that we heard about pre election?

  5. John Avatar
    John

    DavidApril 8, 2022 5:46 AM

    The final two senators for the Chamber will be named and sworn in by The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, President of Barbados, this morning at State House.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    My guess is the idea behind the filling of the two vacancies is to defeat the appeal.

    Once the Senate has its 21 members, the appeal becomes moot.

    However, it may be out of the frying pan and into the fire.

    Translated into legalese, any citizen will have a cause of action under the Constitution of Barbados and can sue the AG.

    Once she commits this act, the President/GG also opens herself to being sued.

    What Judgment or discretion could the President/GG be using in appointing two opposition senators when she is to take advice from the Leader of the Opposition and there is none, nor is there any chance of there being one?

    The office is not vacant nor can it be filled even if it were vacant.

    It does not exist nor does it have any chance of coming into existence.

    No reasonable human being can miss that there is neither a Leader of the Opposition nor is there anyone who remotely could be considered to become one.

    Once she commits this act, she has no protection against having a court enquire into her conduct because she has acted on her own and not as the Constitution requires with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

    We’ll wait and see who does what, when … and of course, the outcome.

    I think she would be doing real foolishness if she goes ahead on her sole judgment and discretion and appoints two opposition senators.

    I would imagine the DLP is licking its chops, looking for blood and can’t believe its luck.

    But, we’ll see.

  6. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    Seems like the fastest way to get a pick with government as MP. Senator or Consultant is to be a moderator on Brasstacks.

    Time for an anti-poaching good Brasstacks moderators law.

  7. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    @John April 8, 2022 7:23 AM

    Your logic does not make sense. The constitution amendment was not made so the decision is solely in the President’s hands.

    The current constitution states words to the effect that where there is a vacancy in the LoO post, their duties fall to the President. A vacancy is a vacancy regardless of the reason or length of time so the President is well within her rights to perform any duty the LoO would have done.

    The only question the CCJ really needs to contemplate on is whether the new senate can meet for the first time if all 21 senators have not been sworn in and that depends on how shall is interpreted in the constitution. Does shall mean must or does it mean should

  8. David Avatar
    David

    @CA

    The selection of moderators for Senate and to run for seats is obviously because of visibility. It is a lazy way of selecting candidates if this is the case, unless, if less visible citizens have been refusing the opportunity to serve. It does not deflect from the substantive point that the DLP as a party is again left on the outside looking in.

  9. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Interesting how we start to dig a new hole when it looks as if we have reached the end of the current dig.

    Fantasy and reality are merging.
    ——x—–

    The name Charleston Brathwaite is new to me. Can anyone say more about the gentleman?

  10. David Avatar
    David

    Chelston Brathwaite launches “Memories of China”: a book that sheds light on the role of this Asian country in the 21st century | Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

    https://iica.int/en/press/news/chelston-brathwaite-launches-memories-china-book-sheds-light-role-asian-country-21st

  11. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Thanks. I think the book will be a good read.

    Here figuring out how to get it.
    ——xx—–

    I have a book by a ‘crooked’ lawyer knocking around somewhere. Would give it away.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    He has been a good advocate of the agricultural sector for many years: many were disappointed when he was packed off to China.

  13. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    @David

    It is not that the moderators are visible. It is that they not towing the line, shed light on the government mistakes, embarrass the ministers and PM and make them change their agendas too many times so they play the politics of inclusion card to neuter their voice.

  14. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Babb and Shepherd, both teachers, face four charges of breaching “Paragraph 15(1) of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, categorised as misconduct of a serious nature in Paragraph 2 of the Code of Discipline in the Public Service”. They were also charged with breaches under the Public Service Act, Cap 29.
    +++++++++++
    Hip! Hip! Hooray!; there is a code of ethics governing the conduct of public servants but the Integrity legislation regarding the conduct of Parliamentarians died on the vine.

    These charges are what should be called a “settling of scores” or rubbing salt into the wound. No one can convince me that there is not a political angle to these charges, a Gov’t not satisfied with capturing all 30 seats in the legislature but intent on cowing any public servant into silence and a loss of employment if they dare oppose the Government. I am sure that there are numerous examples of public servants who “violated” the act that is now being selectively applied.

    The folks who were worried about a One Party State, I believe you have your answer.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @CA

    Your perspective applies to some and infers the President in this instance is compromised?

  16. David Avatar
    David

    The blogmaster is trying to pars the issue concerning Babb and Shepherd. Is the breach about running as candidates or participation in an election.

  17. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    @David

    The DLP is on the sidelines again through their own action. If they had gone along with the PM’s offer and stifled Adriel Brathwaite lawsuit, they would have gotten to choose the 2 seats.

    Moral of the story: Don’t try to bite the hand that tried to feed you.

    I would not be surprised if the independent senators were called the night before and asked to oppose the amendment after the lawsuit was brought.

  18. David Avatar
    David

    @CA

    We agree they should have grabbed the opportunity to help with climbing out of the hole with the rebuild, BUT, is there merit in the argument that before a comprehensive overhaul promised of the constitution- expanding the decision making process around the selection of opposition Senators needs to be tested in court?

  19. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    I bet Babb and Shepherd problems have to do with something overzealous they said on the platform related to their profession and it got picked up on with all the meetings available on YouTube. If not for online meetings, they probably would have been ok.

    We all know public servants have to careful what they say related to their job without authorization

  20. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    The dlp left from the outside looking in is one for the history books and which would be accessed when the law of the Constitution is placed before the offer from the PM
    Right cannot be overturned by a wrong as
    History would prove the Constitution was right and the PM was wrong
    In the meanwhile Barbados is being governed by a govt unto itself and which would in long term feel the naked truth of a
    drunken system ruled and dictated by a undemocratic process controlled by govt all which started by a govt that held an election during a pandemic absent of rules laws and guidelines to include all eligible voters
    Parliament as is constructed remains illegal and unlawful under the laws of the Constitution being absent of an opposition
    How frigging sad

  21. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    C/A,

    A suggestion that will no doubt be soundly rejected by those who have one agenda.

    I shall reserve my opinion until more is known.

  22. John Avatar
    John

    DavidApril 8, 2022 5:44 AM

    Shepherd, Babb to face charges

    By Colville Mounsey colvillemounsey@nationnews.com

    The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is crying victimisation following a decision of the Ministry of Public Service to bring disciplinary charges against two of its candidates in the January 19 General Election.
    Pedro Shepherd, who contested the St Michael South East constituency, and Alwyn Babb, who ran in St Peter, have been both suspended with half-pay pending the outcome of disciplinary hearings related to their participation in the DLP’s campaign.
    Babb and Shepherd, both teachers, face four charges of breaching “Paragraph 15(1) of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, categorised as misconduct of a serious nature in Paragraph 2 of the Code of Discipline in the Public Service”. They were also charged with breaches under the Public Service Act, Cap 29.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    The response to this charge is so frigging simple that it boggles the mind.

    There was no constitutional parliament to dissolve and any elections are null, void and of no effect.

    Makes one think that the DLP set this whole thing up.

  23. David Avatar
    David

    The blogmaster took careful note Caswell declined comment.

  24. John Avatar
    John

    If there is a clearly written rule in law, there is no way anyone is going to willfully break it, run for parliament and risk losing their seat if they win unless the rule does not apply.

    The DLP and its candidates had to know of the rule.

    There are now three possible cases.

    Man, chaos and confusion can’t done here.

    But, we will wait and see.

    One thing is sure, if the cases are brought and won, Ms. Mockley will have a serious black eye and her Cinderella spree at the ball will be over.

    She, her fellow squatters and the President/GG will end up in disgrace.

    She has decided to go for broke but others may have much to say and do.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    If Mottley gets a black eye the more pertinent concern is if there is an opposition to capitalize.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Trade unionist prepared to go to law courts if misconduct charges not withdrawn – Trade unionist prepared to go to law courts if misconduct charges not withdrawn:

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/04/08/trade-unionist-prepared-to-go-to-law-courts-if-misconduct-charges-not-withdrawn/

  27. John Avatar
    John

    DavidApril 8, 2022 9:31 AM

    The blogmaster took careful note Caswell declined comment.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    No wander, he was part of the unconstitutional parliament!!

    You think he foolish!!

  28. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Punch Drunk is a generous euphemism as the Big Fight was a 1st Round TKO in 10 seconds Flat for the Title Holder to keep the Heavyweight Championship Belt

    DLP could have accepted the 2 seats offered already and done and should plead insanity in their appeal case

    “T.K.O.”

    Lookin’ back over my years
    I guessed, I’ve shedded some tears
    Told myself time and time again
    This time I’m gonna win

    But another fight, things ain’t right
    I’m losin’ again
    Takes a fool to lose twice
    And start all over again

    Think I’d better let it go
    Looks like another love T.K.O…
    Think I’d better let it go (what you think about it, girl), let it go, baby (oh, yeah)
    Looks like another love T.K.O…

    Tried to take control of the love
    Love took control of me
    ‘Cause you lose all thoughts, sense of time
    And have a change of mind

    Takin’ the bumps and the bruises
    Of all the things of a two-time loser
    Tryin’ to hold on, faith is gone
    It’s just another sad song

    I think I’d better let it go (what you say about it?)
    Looks like another love T.K.O…
    I think I’d better let it go, let it go, baby (oh, baby)
    Looks like another love T.K.O…

    Tried to take control of the love
    Love took control of me
    ‘Cause you lose all thoughts, sense of time
    And have a change of mind

    Takin’ the bumps and the bruises
    Of all the things of a two-time loser
    See I try to hold on, my faith is gone
    It’s just another sad song

    And I think I’d better let it go (let it go, let it go)
    Looks like another love T.K.O. (I think I’d better)
    Think I’d better let it go, let it go, baby (if I know what’s good for you, girl)
    Looks like another love T.K.O. (I couldn’t stand this pain much longer)

    Think I’d better let it go, let it go, baby…
    Looks like another love T.K.O…
    (Oh, sometimes, sometimes I just feel like I wanna say)
    (I wanna say…)

    ‘Cause it looks like another love T.K.O.
    (Tired of gettin’ beat up by love)
    Think I’d better let it go, let it go, baby (before it’s too late, yeah)
    Looks like another love T.K.O…

    Think I’d better let it go (yeah)
    Looks like another love T.K.O. (hey, yeah, whoa, I think I’d better)
    Think I’d better let it go (let it go), let it go, baby (oh, yeah)
    Looks like another (yeah) love T.K.O.
    (Oh, they say love is better the second time around)

    Think I’d better let it go (I can’t stand on my feet)
    Looks like another love T.K.O. (I’m falling down, no, ’cause, ’cause, ’cause)
    I think I’d better let it go (let it go, baby)

  29. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    I believe the answers to the questions relating to Shepherd and Babb are in Public Sector Employees’ ‘General Orders.’

    I write under correction, but I believe ‘civil servants’ are not allowed to participate in general elections as candidates or to speak on political platforms unless they resign.

    If this is true, then I am surprised Franklyn’s union is representing Babb.

    I remember after the 2013 general elections, I raised a concern on BU, relative to Derek Alleyne, as Director of the Urban Development Commission (UDC), canvassing for the DLP, endorsing its candidates, appearing on political platforms to speak on their behalf……. and about the “mess” the DEMS claimed to have found at UDC, after ewinning the 2008 elections.

    Again, I write under correction, but think Franklyn responded by ‘saying’ there wasn’t any breach in the GO, because Alleyne was employed by a SOE.

    I believe we should ascertain a bit more information before jumping to unnecessary or erroneous conclusions.

  30. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    It is why the blogmaster indicated a little confusion with events as reported.

  31. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    You must be listening to Steve Blackett claiming victimization by the government?

  32. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    No, I’m not.

    I only listen to ‘Brass Tacks’ if a radio is located wherever I am and it’s tuned in to VOB at the time.

    Other than that, I don’t listen to the program. The so called ‘regular callers’ are a ‘turn off.’ Some of them repeat the same points day after day, after day, after day.

  33. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @David, what exactly is the ‘more information’ we need to access on this matter??? The issue unfortunately is that this style of business has been ongoing for YEARS and it should not have been… I also believe that this is likely a case of political victimization but if it will take a court case to settle it then I would say: make it so.

    Recently someone spoke of Branston Collymore and I remember him well as he was actually a family friend of my youth … at the time I knew him as a very senior civil servant (became Head of Civil Service) but as I grew into understanding political shenanigans I also then came to know of his very close affiliations to the party of his choice … did his work and his politics get intertwined like mentioned above re advocating or agency during election time; did that of Sir Harcourt Lewis et al !!!!

    The standing orders prohibit the blatant electioneering as noted in this case so it’s a NON-defense to say on the one hand that others did it as “As far as I know, nothing has been done, no charges have been brought against those people. They might argue that those persons were just participating at the constituency level and they weren’t candidates” and then so facilely add “but rules are rules’.

    The school rule we all know would say that’s a mockery of commonsense! So let the matter be settled in a court of law, once and finally!

    Additionally @David re: “The selection of moderators for Senate and to run for seats is obviously because of visibility. It is a lazy way of selecting candidates if this is the case…” SERIOUSLY! … Come on man … although you did say “if this is the case” merely making the suggestion is unworthy of a man of your long experience. If these moderators were simply just big mout, no nothing folks being selected because of the visibility one could grasp your intent but that’s NOT the case.

    The folks at those mics who have been chosen have all been rather accomplished professionals … of course they got higher name recognition because of the talk show spots but surely they were LIKELY selected because of their accomplishments and NOT that higher visibility, atall!

    And finally I want to go back to another issue we speak of here TOO OFTEN. Bajan awareness and knowledge.
    …. It’s not surprising that there are so many freaking PhDs bout de place – and I am not saying that as a BAD thing – rather I am stressing the point that lots of Bajans have done years of study in various areas some lettered as these two and many like Mr Franklyn who are very deeply educated experts without fancy letters.

    So again I repeat it’s really a tired trope to perceive Bajans as victims to any political class … we are too damn well educated. Ah well, then maybe we are ‘educated fools’ !

    I gone.

  34. David Avatar
    David

    It is official, Senators Hinds and Brathwaite complete 21 members of the Upper Chamber.

  35. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word

    Fair enough, but, there is a question still to be answered why a disproportionately high selection from moderator pool for political positions?

  36. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Barbadian Political Players are like actors who play different several roles and make you wonder where have I seen him/her before

  37. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Northern, I reach out to you as you were one of the people saying that the goodly President should act (some of us figured she ‘had to’) and make the CCJ appeal a moot issue. Well she has!

    The case should absolutely proceed as the issue of the constitutionality of a 18 seat Senate being legit still exists re that inception … but what an unnecessary level of ‘collusion’ at the highest political level finally brought to summary end!

    I remain amazed that the President allowed her discretion to be so ‘directed’ by the PM in that situation … the intent was laudatory but the execution of that intent was incredibly inept.

  38. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    I blame technology for my fluency disorder
    should read
    play several different roles

  39. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “The case should absolutely proceed as the issue of the constitutionality of a 18 seat Senate being legit still”

    It’s a bit like saying you cannot have sex until 16 or 18
    although some lucky teens boof before 18
    boys are praised but girls are criticized

  40. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @David, re “but, there is a question still to be answered why a disproportionately high selection from moderator pool for political positions”.

    There is a strong answer for that … time wouldn’t allow now, but suffice to say that across time it has always been important to differentiate your brand in order to get to the ‘top’ amongst equally capable high achievers. The modern method is being a viral voicer … and in a Bajan context in appears as if a ‘BrassTacks’ spot is one of the most solid golden options to that end!

    Lata.

  41. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    @ 2 Pedantic
    sorry I misread that
    I thought you were referring to age of senators
    I blame speed reading for my error

  42. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    The victims of whom we speak have no PhDs.

  43. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Civil Servants are required to be non-political to perform their duties
    Running in an election is deemed political
    It was their day job in the Civil Service that had been compromised

  44. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    At last ! It took a meandering route ;but we finally arrived. This is the Bajan way. “Nough palaver but eventually we get um right. We too like theatre. Lol!!

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    It was because of independent Senators acting independently?

  46. Watchman Avatar
    Watchman

    @ David /BU
    It seems OSA was right about leadership. Barbados need a caretaker Government

  47. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    @ David BU at 12 :11 AM

    The Constitution mentions no “independent “Senators. Just Senators, appointed because of under representation of important interests in the Legislature.
    We expect all Senators to do their constitutional duties of reviewing legislation coming up from the House below. In my opinion they did just that. They took an oath to uphold the Law and spirit of our Constitution. We operate under the Rule of Law.

  48. John Avatar
    John

    DavidApril 8, 2022 11:03 AM

    It is official, Senators Hinds and Brathwaite complete 21 members of the Upper Chamber.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    The die is now cast.

    If any citizen has a problem and chooses to do something the specific action has been taken.

    If not, the appeal becomes moot because there are 21 seats filled by whatever means.

  49. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    de pedantic Dribbler April 8, 2022 11:03 AM #: “@David, what exactly is the ‘more information’ we need to access on this matter???”

    @ dpD

    Your question surprised me, especially when I consider how you and others sought to quote, verbatim, from the Constitution relative to the recent debacle concerning the Senate.

    My point is…. if we DO NOT KNOW the rules as outlined in the ‘General Orders for the Public Service of Barbados,’ relative to public sector employees participating in general elections as candidates, then, without that information, our comments on the issue would essentially be based on assumptions.

    I remember when Hammie Lah became involved in politics, he had to resign from his position at National Assistance Board before he ‘ran’ as the DLP’s candidate for St. Michael South East in the 1994 general elections.

    Also, independent candidates Carl Haddock and Anthony Wiggins resigned from their government employment before contesting elections.

    And, there are several other examples.

    Your belief that that “this is likely a case of political victimization,” is perhaps based on an assumption.

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    Let us not fiddle with splitting hairs. You are aware those Senators appointed by the GG now President are referred to as being independent of the parties who are whipped to toe party line.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

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