There is a buzz in the hive, it is the turn of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to hold its 84th Annual Conference from October 27 to October 29. Unlike the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) conference held in August that was overshadowed by internal strife, the BLP appears to be showing a united front as they begin early preparation for the next general election. The big question political analysts will attempt to answer is if an embattled and beleagured DLP will be able to win boxes, not seats, at the next constitutional general election due in January 2027.
Is it too early to discuss if the DLP will be able to make an impression on an apathetic and cynical electorate in the relatively short lead up to 2027? Two years maybe long in dog years, some will say in politics as well, BUT, given the wipeout of the DLP in 2018 and 2022 with the BLP winning all the seats, two years maybe short for the DLP to resolve internal challenges and present itself as a credible alternative to a BLP operating in ‘coasting’ mode. Time will tell.
For those who will lament the fact that there is too much focus on the duopoly and alternative political parties should be the focus. Help us to understand where are the credible alternative political parties? The average Barbadian although disgusted with the DLP and BLP over recent election cycles; reflected in relatively low voter turnouts, there is equal disgust at the poorakey quality of third party options presenting at the polls. Seven political parties participated in the 2022 general election and the BLP and DLP, the duopoly, were the ones to field a full slate of candidates. To be honest the blogmaster although a student of local politics for many years only the BLP, DLP and Solutions come readily to mind of the seven.
Although the average Barbadian, in trump like ignorance, has no idea what the Parliamentary Reform Commission (PRC) was established to do, some of us await any positive outcome from the exercise. It is fair to suggest given the near constitutional crisis of 2018 and 2022 saved by BLP members of parliament crossing the floor that there is an opportunity to overhaul our governance setup to fill ‘gaps’ in our governance arrangement. Are the Upper and Lower houses relevant, how about proportional representation from the electorate and a more relevant selection of candidates to include diverse professional backgrounds to name a few. What we have now has been exposed to be redundant and there is a level of dysfunction continuing to show. There is related below par functioning of our court system, Auditor Generals’ office, public service etc.
A dichotomy of sorts exists in our political culture: many are prepared to stand in the ‘dew’ or watch the streams for comedic content during the political hustings which the candidates will oblige – the analogy can be made to meat tossed to wild dogs. However, the same people are known to be apathetic and cynical at the political system that produces the type of opportunistic politicians we have to contend with today. We will get what we continue to tolerate.
Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right … and a desire to know.
—John Adams, 1765
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