There is an understandable relentless focus on the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), entrenched member of the duopoly. Local pundits have analysed ad nauseam why credible alternative political parties have not emerged post 1966. Is seems the lack of a diverse culture means political parties that present in Barbados are unlikely to be philosophically different. If this is a reasonable perspective then the challenge must be the inability of our two main political parties to attract members and aspiring politicians of integrity with adequate skillsets.
Since the Mottley government received an unprecedented mandate to govern Barbados in 2018 there has been a recurring concern for many. The blogmaster is a firm believer in leaders leading by example because what monkey see monkey do. In a simple to understand analogy, we cannot be a heavily indebted country requesting daily assistance from the IMF, IDB, World Bank. Begging the Chinese to build a stadium and by our decisions and attitudes be pompasetting with champagne taste.
A couple months after Prime Minister Mottley won office she gave an interview to veteran journalist David Ellis. Many of the issues she complained about then, including the heavy recruitment of consultants by the previous DLP government continues to be practiced by her government.
The one that continues to irk the blogmaster is Mottley justifying the appointment of a large Cabinet in the prevailing economic climate. A climate defined by the government having to finance large budget deficits. The facile defence offered by government supporters that cutting numbers in the Cabinet would not generate significant savings is nonsense. It is about setting an example for households in the country to model required behaviour. Some refer to it as getting the optics right. Prime Minister Mottley hides behind the argument that many hands make light work and she will use results at the 2018 and 2022 polls to validate the decision to pad the front bench.
Having won two general elections by ridiculous margins Mottley should not feel vindicated. Her government won in 2018 and 2022 because the DLP imploded and up to this day has not recovered to be seen as a credible alternative in the eyes of the public. The BLP is a government by default.
As the imbroglio at George Street plays out under the harsh glare of the public, Barbadians need to participate in constructive debate about how we can improve our system of government and all that goes is related.
Can Barbadians honestly say that they are happy with the trajectory we are on as a nation? This is not what Mottley and her talking heads are saying, it is what you as an intelligent being is thinking.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.