Currently the political climate in the region is heightened. St. Vincent is deep in electioneering mode, promises flying everywhere as expected supported by Barbados Labour Party (BLP) boots on the ground, St. Lucia’s general election called for December 1,2025. In Barbados the BLP nomination in St. Joseph was completed on the weekend with the anointed Ryan Brathwaite to take over from the beleaguered Dale Marshall, soon to follow will be St. Thomas to replace Cynthia Forde. The election machinery starting to hum louder with 8000 deletions from the electoral list published in the weekend press.
In small Westminster style democracies like Barbados, there is a contradiction that we have discussed in this space many times, we go to the polls believing we are electing a person based on promises made on the campaign trail, but, the second that individual gets sworn in, they toe the party line. Suddenly the member of parliament elected bends the knee to the desires of the party and party leader – not necessarily in that order – parroting whatever rhetoric has been handed down. It does NOT matter if it clashes with promises made on the hustings.
This dysfunction that is baked into the Westminster model we selectively practice. depends on strong, independent backbenchers to keep the government in check. In the case of Barbados where the BLP captured all the seats in two successive general elections and two subsequent by elections, it is fair to say that the potency of our style of democracy has been seriously compromised. To borrow words from the late Editor in Chief of the Nation newspaper – all of them are singing from the same hymn sheet. How can the Lower House deliver on its responsibilities as mandated by the framers of the Westminster system given such a glaring contraint?
For any political system to function optimally, it requires dissenting perspectives, some say adversarial. In a country like Barbados, St. Vincent, Dominica and others, an MP or Senator’s survival hinges on staying on the good side of the party leader, just ask former Senator Dr. Crystal Haynes. MPs are forced to tell lies, that is, make promises that in the main will never be kept. The paramountcy of the party and party leader is prioritised over the individual needs of the MP and citizens. What an idiotic arrangement that far too many citizens blindly loyal, although it must be said there is increasing political apathy and cynicism being demonstrated by the citizenry. No doubt a symptom of a dysfunctional system and not the solution.
The blogmaster’s research suggests that the Westminster system was never engineered for small populations like ours.. It was designed with the ‘space’ for parliament to challenge the executive.The prime minister although elected by her peers is considered first among equals with the other members of the parliamentary group competing for ‘handouts’.
The challenge for the citizenry is how can we make a system that feeds itself adopt a reform agenda a la Perestroika. There is currently a Parliamentary Commission report languishing somewhere with recommendations that – if implemented – will nurture the status quo – how to strengthen parliamentary committees. Term limits for the prime minister is another. The power of recall is one we hear mentioned etc etc. Many will say these are bandaids, we need deeper reforms to a system of government whose shelve life has expired. Can we be a model for others by creating a Cooperative System of government where people power is the anchor? Nah, the blogmaster was dreaming!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.