Tag Archives: Fruendel Stuart

A Matter of Integrity – Call for Michael Carrington to Resign, OUTSTANDING

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Michael Carrington
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

Integrity is the cornerstone of good governance and democracy. By upholding the highest ethical standards, public servants conserve and enhance public confidence in the honesty, fairness and impartiality of the federal public sector – Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector

One of the enduring and unflattering memories of the Stuart led government so far is the matter of the case of Speaker of the House Michael Carrington vs Johns Griffiths [BU High Court 2015]. Carrington was ordered by the Supreme Court of Barbados Justice Cornelius J to pay $200,000 to a former client, seventy year old John Griffiths. These were monies owed to Carrington’s client the proceeds of an estate settlement. In summary: the High Court of Barbados had to issue an order for the Speaker of the House to pay his client.

Eighteen months later the knowledge that Carrington was not disciplined by Prime Minister Stuart  remains a blotch on the type of democracy we practice. Bear in mind in the build up to the 2013 general election Stuart won the matchup against Owen Arthur on the integrity question.

It is the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leadership who first trumpeted that is committed to building a society. What kind of society can be built if key stakeholders in the DLP by their actions are not committed to the key value of integrity?

In the build up to the 2008 general election another promise was made by the DLP that a code of behaviour guideline for ministers would be implemented. As far as we are aware this is another promise outstanding designed to hold members of the DLP team accountable on the issue of integrity.

Leaders must lead!

The news that Sweden’s youngest ever government minister, Aida Hadzialic, has resigned after being caught driving over the alcoholic limit is interesting. She faces a possible term of up to six months in prison after police detected a blood-alcohol level of 0.2 grams per litre. To put it in perspective the minister admitted to drinking two glasses of wine. It is unfathomable that any minister or public official in Barbados would resign under similar circumstances. BU is aware the legislative framework does not exist in Barbados to scientifically test and prosecute DUI cases.

Hadzialic’s resignation is important to send a message to the electorate that elected officials are prepared to hold themselves accountable. Accountability is not defined only in law Mr. Prime Minister Stuart. Your advice to Carrington to hire a lawyer sent the wrong signal to a society crying out for leadership at this time. There is right and wrong. It was wrong for Carrington to have withheld clients money from seventy year old Griffiths. You missed the opportunity any leader worth his salt would have used to exercise leadership.

Prime Minister Stuart how are you able to stomach Carrington sitting on the Speaker’s Chair in the Lower House after what he did to that old man?

Mia Mottley how are you and your team able to address the Speaker given his indiscretion?

What credibility does Stuart or his ministers have to lecture Barbadians on matters of morality?

Relevant Article: Drink-driving Sweden minister rues ‘biggest mistake’

The Missing Mark Maloney Quotes

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Submitted by Heather Cole
Clare Cowan
Michael Carrington
Leroy Parris
The Right Honourable, Fruendel Stuart
Darcy Boyce
John Griffiths

Without him even having to give one Hail Mary, we seem to have given Prime Minister Freundel Stuart a pass regarding the latest scandal in his administration. Mr. Stuart will go down in History as the weakest and most unpopular Prime Minister of Barbados. Among his failures to date are: the un-kept promises made to the electorate for two consecutive general elections, the buying of votes, the economic downgrades as well as the overall handing of the economy, increases in taxation, decline in the delivery of social services and his government’s action of not providing free tertiary education to the children of tax payers at the UWI.

He has not displayed any leadership skills either to his Ministers or to the people of Barbados. His approach does not demonstrate an ounce of responsibility towards the people of Barbados. He is so out of touch with the reality of life in Barbados that he can only be likened to a man who literally fell asleep at the wheel. Perhaps he lives in the wrong time and may have been more suitable to have been living in Medieval England as he enjoys flowery speech.

Then they are the scandals.

Under his leadership the government has been rocked with scandal after scandal making the TV series by that name quite tame. Just when you think it can get no worse, another explosion is seen and heard. The most notable of these have been the Clico scandal, the scandal involving the Speaker of the House, the Coverley Scandal, the Cahill Scandal and now the Mark Maloney and TCPD scandal.

It is a well known fact that the Prime Minister was intimately connected to three of the biggest scandals to rock the island. The first scandal occurred when the Speaker of the House was found guilty by the High Court of stealing a sum of money from an septuagenarian. It was some time during that scandal that the PM used those infamous words that have now become immortalized by every Barbadian. Amidst the allegations, when the story first broke and had not yet reached the Courts, the Prime Minister was quoted in his defense of the Speaker of the House advising him to “get a Lawyer.”

With regards to the Clico Scandal, thousands of Barbadians lost their retirement savings in a Ponzi scheme involving Leroy Parris and other managers of Clico as well as deceased Prime Minister David Thompson and his wife Mara Thompson. Again in this scandal the PM delivered another quote that will remain in living memory for many years to come. In defense of Leroy Parris, he stated that “Leroy is not a Leper.”

The Cahill Scandal involved a group of government Ministers signing an agreement to build a plasma Gasification plant on the 166sq ml island without the approvals of the Town and Country Planning Department, an Environmental Impact Assessment or the usual Town Hall Meetings to involve the public. Despite the public revelation of the signed documents on the Internet, the Prime Minister’s in his own defense in a much publicized quote claimed that “nothing can’t happen unless I say so.”

I cannot recall him stating anything publicly about the Coverley Scandal even the circumstances surrounding the death of young Abijah Holder.

The latest scandal involves business man Mark Maloney refusing to comply Town and Country Planning directives to remove a structure he is currently building. The Prime Minister must have commented. This brings me to the source of this article that we are missing the infamous quotes made by the Prime Minister in defense of or regarding Mark Maloney. These quotes may have again brought him into disrepute. In an effort to avoid being involved in the scandal or his name associated with the scandal or yet again having his infamous quotes on the lips of every Barbadian, the Prime Minister passed the responsibility for the Town and Country Planning Department unto Minister of Energy Darcy Boyce.

The real dilemma here is that the Prime Minister made a very short sighted judgement. While he may have won the battle, he has lost the war. He forgot the Laws of cause and effect. The Prime Minister appears to have created a psychotic monster. We now know because we have seen the evidence twice of his laughing at a young man’s death, ordering plants to be dug up and removed as well as his delusional rants that there is a ruthless, narcissistic personality on the loose. One wonders what he will do next. Does it mean that the Prime Minister himself is afraid to deal with the serial law breaker Mark Maloney? Can this lead to a matter of national security with the rise of a Bajan Mafia who believe that their entitlement puts them above our laws and that they can take out whoever opposes them? Will the rest of the population have to pay bribes to the Maloneys to get simple things done? Does it set it stone that bribery and corruption are now part of the norm for everyday life in Barbados?

One would have thought that the Prime Minister would be cognizant of the fact that Mark Maloney in fragrantly disregarding the Laws of Barbados is sending the wrong message to the rest of the population and that he would have stood up like a real man and do as the song says “I and I created a problem and I must solve it

The George Brathwaite Column – Say Some More, Sir

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George C. Brathwaite

George C. Brathwaite

It is generally useful, if not inspiring, when the nation’s executive leader speaks to the governed about ‘getting Barbados right’. On the face of things, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’, in his recent interaction with the media, spoke on important and controversial matters requiring redress.

Regardless of our take on things such as Cahill, the latest Auditor General’s report, the unending water woes, the flouting of instructions given by the Chief Town Planner, sooner or later, PM Stuart had to address Barbadians on these burning and vexing issues.

Among the explanations coming from the Prime Minister, there was a clear admission that several perplexing occurrences are compounding issues of governance in Barbados. He agreed that there are still “many risks out there” and suggested that he was energized in such a way as to respond to the numerous challenges confronting his Cabinet, inclusive of the requests for public servants to receive salary increases.

Read full Article – Say Some More Sir

Cahill Energy Agreements EXPOSE Prime Minister Stuart as Withholding the Truth from Barbadians

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Clare Cowan
Denis Lowe, Minister of the Drainage
Denis Kellman, Minister of Housing
Darcy Boyce
Chris Sinckler, former Minister of Finance
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

In her response to the budget of  June 2015 leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley gave impetus to the Cahill Energy debate when she shocked the country with the revelation that four ministers (Darcy Boyce, Denis Kellman, Chris Sinckler and Denis Lowe) had signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Cahill Energy dated 15 March 2014.

Signatures of Ministers Boyce, Kellman, Sinckler and Lowe on the Power Purchase Agreement

Signatures of Ministers Boyce, Kellman, Sinckler and Lowe on the Power Purchase Agreement

The government defended (not very well) the agreement with the Claire Cowan Cahill Energy company, however, subsequent events have proved the Fruendel Stuart led government withheld vital information from Barbadians.

Barbadians were NOT told that on the 13 September 2013 Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart signed a Heads of Terms Agreement related to Cahill Energy that committed the government to specific deliverables which have cost and legal implication for Barbados. For example, clause 5 of the agreement reads as follows:

section 5, heads of term agreement.

Clause 5 of the Heads of Term Agreement

Why did the Prime Minister remain silent on the matter of his involvement during the June 2015 budget debate? Why did he not defend Minister Denis Lowe – who had lead responsibility – and the other ministers who were heavily criticized for their involvement with Cahill Energy?

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart's signature next to Clare Cownan, CEO of Cahill Energy

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart’s signature next to Clare Cownan, CEO of Cahill Energy

What adds to the Cahill intrigue is the letter (parts 1,2) signed by Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart dated 3 March 2014 addressed to Clare Cowan advising that Cabinet approval was obtained and the agreement with Cahill had been submitted to the Solicitor General’s Office as part of the required due diligence process.

In 2013 Prime Minister Stuart in his head to head with Owen Arthur won the debate on the matter of who was perceived to have greater integrity by the public. The Cahill Energy transaction has given justification to those who now question the honesty of our prime minister. The public announcement last week by Minister Denis Lowe  – forced by the No Confidence Motion – is not the final chapter in the book titled ‘Governance‘.

United Nations: Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart

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Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister of Barbados Fruendel Stuart delivered speech at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 in New York.

[…] Continue reading →

Fruendel Stuart: DLP Party Members Will be Protected

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Submitted by Anthony Davis
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

The Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP’s) 60th annual conference opened with the party’s President, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, jabbing at Opposition tactics.

In an address to delegates, Stuart spoke of the party’s […] Continue reading →

Of Old Wine and New Skins

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Submitted by Old Onion Bags
What value should we place in the word of a Prime Minister. Should we dismiss Prime Minister Stuart’s promise as election campaign rhetoric? Should we dismiss the promise the late Prime Minister David Thompson made to CLICO policyholders? Are we finally willing to say to politicians, ENOUGH! Read Nation article PM’s Word

What value should we place in the word of a Prime Minister. Should we dismiss Prime Minister Stuart’s promise as election campaign rhetoric? Should we dismiss the promise the late Prime Minister David Thompson made to CLICO policyholders? Are we finally willing to say to politicians, ENOUGH!

Read Nation article PM’s Word

For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned – Mathews 12: 37

Here we go again, the furrowing of quotations from the Good Book to suit ends.

[…] Continue reading →

DEMinishing Political Capital

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Brenda Mazibuko: You’re risking your political capital, you’re risking your future as our leader.

Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead[…] Continue reading →

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart the Words of Your Mouth and the Meditation of your Heart Must be Acceptable …

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Submitted by HAMILTON HILL
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

It was December of 2007 and I was home for the holidays. I had not yet exchanged a single Christmas Gift, but via CBC channel eight I got one that not even my wife could match. It had come from Prime Minister Owen Arthur. He had called elections and Comrade Thompson in very short order would right the listing vessel. January 15th was the appointed date of the new beginning.

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Well Done Freundel

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Submitted by Douglas

Freundel StuartSaturday, 21st February, will mark two years that the Democratic Labour Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Freundel Stuart, Q.C., M.P, was re-elected to serve the people of Barbados. Every day over those two years we have kept our commitment to the people of Barbados to deliver on our promise to develop a Barbados which is: socially balanced, economically viable, environmentally sound and characterized by good governance.

Our Prime Minister, his Cabinet and members of the parliamentary team have shown that they are capable of managing the affairs of Barbados in the most challenging period that this country has ever gone through. We wish to commend our Prime Minister and party leader for his mature leadership style. He has handled every challenge faced with a fearless resilience and integrity.

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Greece, Spain and Barbados – When a Government/Party Really Seeks to Represent Its People

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Submitted by Pachamama
Prime Minister Stuart - when words mean nothing

Prime Minister Stuart – when words mean nothing

It is impossible to understand the current cultural wasteland in the Caribbean unless it is properly located within its wider regional and international contexts. In Barbados, for example, only a Pyrrhic victory is possible by rightfully positioning the local political and economic elites at the centre of the circular firing squad which passes for public discourses. Our basic truth is that the future of the Caribbean, as has the past and present, is being decided elsewhere.

On the 25th January the people of Greece elected a near absolute majoritarian Syriza government. In an election pregnant with meanings for those who contend that no government anywhere truly represents its people’s interests, as a primary consideration. In opposition to the Troika’s colonial mandates, Syriza was serious about its promises to the people of Greece. Our reference to a circular ‘logic’ may even extend to the birthplace of western ‘civilization’ as this alleged ‘mother’ is now being raped by her children.

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WAIT WHO VEXX STUART?

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Submitted by Old Onions Bag

stuart

PM Stuart shows another side

Nowadays have you all noticed the ‘fiery gusto of recent’ coming from our PM Stuart? Think it was Prodigal who first noticed a change in the temperament of Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart. Not wanting to play devil’s advocate, but every since giving parlous advise to Speaker Carrington, Prime Minister Stuart seems to have red in his eyes and fire in his tone. Ever since Miss Motley signalled that she won’t be leading HM Opposition back into Parliament until stipulated amend, PM Stuart seems to be on a war path.

There was also ‘pigskinned’ news about a luncheon at the Hilton, served with a difference. Nowadays, the old adage “when elephant pun rampage, the whole jungle had better size (rund)”seems to apply as vexation seems to come with his calling cards. Take for instance those UWI students who were looking forward to their promised bursaries from MOE Jones…after Stuart’s most recent indulgence at the Party’s George St. Headquarters, that if Bajans have 115,000 motor car and many big houses of a concrete kind…they should be able to find monies for their children’s tertiary education, students have reason to ponder. And good reason too after recent news in the media, that the long awaited bursaries are all but slam dunk.

Could these infers by our PM be signals that something could be in the ‘works’ or could it be just annoyance that a good friend’s predicament seems all but Florence in summer time? With three more years to go before elections and Stuart in his second term, one could also ponder if this is not part of the PM’s plan to show how once unmoved ‘giants’ react when feeling thorns.

Who is the Sanctimonious Hypocrite Prime Minister?

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Submitted by Anthony Davis

“Sanctimonious hypocrites!”

That’s how Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has described some of those who disapproved of his advice to Speaker of the House Michael Carrington to ‘get a lawyer’ during his publicized legal dispute with a former client. “Speaking as tough to critics of Government’s University of the West Indies (UWI) tuition fee policy, Stuart today made it clear that his administration would not be changing course on that matter to please any minority group, even in the face of a letter from the president of the Cave Hill Campus Guild of Students Damani Parrish, ‘threatening’ action if the decision was not reversed” – Barbados Today

Well, well, well, what a tirade!

The question here is: who is being a sanctimonious hypocrite?

The Speaker of the House should resign, or be made to do so. You and your party came to this country with all kinds of promises just to win an election, because you have reneged on all of them – especially the one about “our children”. It turns out that you really meant YOUR children, and not those of our country. You have sold them down the river, by refusing to look after them at UWI. You have also put their lives in jeopardy by cutting the welfare some of their parents have to collect. You have deprived many of a tertiary education by making them pay tuition fees – even if only a part. Those who wanted to study certain subjects cannot even afford the 20% they have to pay for them.

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Black Political Class Funded by White Elite

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Submitted by William Skinner
Bizzy Williams, leader of the entrenched white corporate class, slapped him down and reminded all and sundry who pays the bills and calls the tunes.

Bizzy Williams, “leader of the entrenched white corporate class, slapped him down and reminded all and sundry who pays the bills and calls the tunes“

Our erudite Prime Minister, Mr. Freundel Stuart spoke the truth, when he said that there are powerbrokers that want to control black politicians but want no contact with the masses. As the Prime Minister said: “They don’t want to dirty their hands.” In other words, they avoid politics but want to be powerbrokers within the system. He also asserted that he is proud to be of the political class and that this class knows how to bury their differences when it is necessary.

Former Prime Minster, Erskine Sandiford, once reminded a group of corporate heavy boys that he was “not elected in a board room”; Dr. Don Blackman reminded us that there were white shadows, whose main focus was to influence and control the black political management class and another former Prime Minister, Mr. Owen Arthur, called Mr. Harold Hoyte, a black power player, a “negrocrat”. When we examine these comments, we realize that Mr. Stuart is not that far off target.

On the heels of Stuart’s speech, we have the Mr. Ralph “Bizzy” Williams, informing us that wealthy business persons pump money into the elections campaigns of both the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party. The revealed strategy, according to Williams is to be equally generous to both parties. He boldly proclaimed that he supports the PIG, which is the Party in Government. We note the acronym P.I.G- those who feed at the public trough.

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Risqué: Owen Hits Mia, Again!

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Submitted by Pachamama
Leader of the BLP Mia Mottley (l) Former Leader of the BLP Owen Arthur (r)

Leader of the BLP Mia Mottley (l) Former Leader of the BLP Owen Arthur (r)

The Mighty Sparrow tells a story about a lion which was mastered by a donkey. In this epic, the lion (MAM), despite his loud growl, role as dominate polygamist, sharp teeth, body built for combat and a propensity to instil fear was made to submit and be the mate of a mere donkey (OSA). Well, unlike OSA, the donkey is well known to be mild mannered, a carrier of huge burdens and in possession of a certain physical attribute that some fear. Fear of the expectation of a certain amount of joy and or pain that donkeys by their very nature are said to be able to inflict.

The recent broadside which Owen Seymour Arthur (OSA) inflicted on the prime ministerial ambitions of MAM continues to complicate political calculations in Barbados. Certainly, OSA seems intent on keeping his promise to his friends that he will never leave the BLP to MAM. In stating that the proposed divestment of state assets was the right policy for a beleaguered DLP administration. An administration beset by mounting internal disquiet and clueless about a direction for the country. Still, it was OSA who was to again deliver a life jacket to a feckless Fruendel Stuart regime.

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Estwick UAE Proposal and the Silence of the DEMS

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Chris Sinckler, Minister of Finance (l) David Estwick, Minister of Agriculture (r)

Chris Sinckler, Minister of Finance (l) David Estwick, Minister of Agriculture (r)

It has come as no surprise to independent observers that the Barbados government has to labour to govern as a result of its 2-seat margin. Prime Minister Stuart finds himself in a position where making decisions is heavily influenced by the political considerations. Now that the E11 faction has been effectively quelled and its whip – Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler – had to publicly throw himself at the mercy of the Prime Minister in the Big Interview with the Nation newspaper, an interview which will stain his legacy and perhaps has ended his political ambition to be Prime Minister of Barbados.

AND Perennial  discontent Minister David Estwick made known his recent dissatisfaction in January that he will speak out on economic issues (words to this effect). Two weeks later he was reluctantly given an audience with the Prime Minister and cabinet to present a proposal of a lifeline deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To be expected there was loud clamour in the public space about the workability of Estwick’s UAE deal. It has been three weeks since Estwick presented to the Cabinet of Barbados and it has been three weeks the public, including local media, has gone silent. Yet again the politicians have been able to ‘’manipulate’ the voice of the people by remaining silent. And off we go to the next topic the planned construction at Lower Greys.

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Freundel Stuart Government Accused of the Economic Slaughter of Over 3000 Workers

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Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Think Tank and Watchdog Group
Chris Sinckler, Minister of Finance (l) Fruendel Stuart, Prime Minister (r)

Chris Sinckler, Minister of Finance (l) Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister (r)

The Mahogany Coconut Group has steered clear of the shameless political posturing regarding the economic slaughtering of over 3000 workers, in the name of a failed economic policy and a blundering administration led by Prime Minister   Freundel Stuart of Barbados. We have already called for fresh elections but we remain certain that even with fresh elections, and a possible victory by the Opposition Barbados Labour Party, nothing will change. Why an elections? We believe that the government has betrayed the country and the only legitimate stamp of approval will be that of the same people it has betrayed. In other words, if elections were called and the Democratic Labour Party is victorious, it would mean that the people have endorsed its current insane approach to economic management of Barbados’ affairs.

We urge right thinking Barbadians to take a look at the colour of those who are weeping and angry in the newspapers because they can no longer look after their families. They are Black. Not one white; not one Indo Barbadian. It is a reminder that the society is still in denial about wealth distribution and avoiding serious and objective debate about the ills of the country. We also ask right thinking Barbadians to take a look at those thirty political miscreants who are in parliament: Not one white! This harrowing experience of 3000 workers is therefore a black on black social and economic crime and the penalty should be the political gallows.

We are not saying that white and Indo Barbadians will be any better. What we are saying is that the white and Indo Barbadian business elites are raping the country and not facing the penalties. They can execute economic crimes and then leave the black political managerial class to fight amongst themselves. In the meantime the poor defenseless black working class, whose forefathers built the nation from scratch, are to be paraded on front pages of newspapers. The same newspapers that cannot find any writers, outside of mercenary party hacks, to pollute their pages on a daily basis.

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Integrity and Education On the Backs of Fallen Leaders

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Noam Chomsky opines that “it is the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and to expose lies”. It begs the question do we have intellectuals in Barbados? Who are they? BU adds another question to the pile – is there morality in local politics?

During the last general election Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart was portrayed as a man of integrity when compared to Owen Arthur. Whether one agrees who won the integrity vote Stuart did not object to the comparison. One year later BU believes Stuart has fallen short of being a man of integrity. Before the political cackle begins it is instructive to lookup the definition of integrity, “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”. Did Prime Minister Stuart and his Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite now appointed admit that they witnessed unsavoury (illegal) events during election day? The Prime Minister promised he would check every election law  on the books and bring the matter to parliament to prevent recurrence and in the process finger the culprits.

On another front BU is reliably informed that the government had been in discussion with the NUPW to send home workers for several weeks before the recent announcement. One must reasonably conclude that Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart – who is the minister responsible for the civil service had to be aware of the decision to retrench workers a long time before it was announced. Remember when the SmartStream system was blamed by Stuart as the reason why temporary workers were not paid? We subsequently found out that temporary workers are not registered on this system for payroll. The decision to send home workers was not arrived at overnight. During the time the discussions were being held the Prime Minister suggested there was a computer glitch when many public officers complained about not being paid. We hesitate to call Prime Minister Stuart a liar BUT he has been less than transparent about government’s position on the tenure of public servants.

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Lessons to Guide Another Dichotomous DLP Cabinet: Save Barbados Now!

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George C. Brathwaite

George C. Brathwaite

At the 2007 Annual Delegate’s Conference of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), the then Leader of the Opposition, David Thompson, began his featured speech by invoking a few disclaimers. It was revealed that there were groups within civil society actively speaking out against several perceived ills. Freedom of expression prevailed in Barbados under the political sacrosanct of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) that was being led by the economically acclaimed and intellectually gifted Owen Arthur, in spite of mounting and troublesome criticisms against the government.

David Thompson, in his address, said then that the situation in Barbados had reached a stage wherein there were pronounced “signs of frustration and despair.” Thompson goaded the public into thinking that it was inconceivable why the BLP had become “so indifferent and disconnected from the people it was elected to serve.” Thompson’s utterances were glazed in flowery language and buttered with a mischief to exploit weaknesses which appeared in the seemingly invincible Arthur-led team. The DLP, through its leader, promised to “imbue new hope and optimism” into Barbadians because Barbados was on a “slippery slope of division,” and it had become infested by “stagnation and malfeasance in public administration.” One wonders how necessary was this charade at the end of 2007 when now compared with those things have been evidenced this year at the end of 2013?

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Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart’s Address to the Nation

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Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Fellow Barbadians, it would be reprehensible of me not to comment on the Ministerial Statement On Government’s Fiscal Consolidation Programme 2013-15 presented to the House of Assembly by The Hon. Christopher P. Sinckler, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs on Friday just gone. It gives me and my government no pleasure to have sanctioned the firing of 3,000 public workers which will be executed in January 2014.

As you know the global economy continues to experience challenges and my government remains committed to do all that we can to ensure Barbados manages this economy the best we can in the circumstances. In this regard I take this opportunity to throw my full support behind my ministers especially Minister Chris Sinckler and Richard Sealy who have done an exceptional job in challenging conditions.

My Cabinet took the decision after our meeting with the IMF on their recent Article IV Consultation and the NUPW that we should advise Barbadians about the retrenchment at this time. The fact that Barbadians are about to celebrate the Christmas season was not a consideration to delay the decision because I wanted you to know we have taken proactive action to arrest the deteriorating fiscal position.

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For Love of Country… a Coalition Government

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Submitted by Napolean Bonaparte
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart
The Right Honourable, Owen Arthur
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, acted as lawyer for the project before being elected to government
Chris Sinckler, former Minister of Finance

Heads of Government :  Stuart, Arthur, Mottley, Sinckler
Minister of Finance : C. Mascoll
Attorney General : K. Symmonds
Minister of Tourism :  D. Inniss
Minister International Business: D. Marshall
Minister of Transport: M. Lashley
Minister of Culture: T. Prescod
Minister of Education: G. Payne
Minister of Labour :David Estwick
Minister of Health : R. Jones
Minister Housing Land: R. Sealy
Minister Agriculture: R. Toppin

Ministries to reduced eleven. Salaries of Ministers reduced by 25 %. Permanent Secretaries salaries reduced by 15%.

Time to Usher in an Era of Political Maturity

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Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Think Tank and Watchdog Group
Owen Arthur, Leader of the Opposition, Mia Mottley MP, Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Owen Arthur, Former Leader of the Opposition, Mia Mottley Leader of the Opposition, Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Good Evening,

Fellow Barbadians, let me say how pleased I am, that our recently held general election was incident free and fair. Let me congratulate all the candidates for maintaining the democratic process and thanks to all those hard working citizens, who ensured that the highest standards of conduct prevailed.

Let me specially congratulate our main opposition, the Barbados Labour Party, on its success although the party of which I currently have the honor of leading, the Democratic Labour Party was victorious on this occasion. As you know, the result was very close and while the Democratic Labour Party was returned to office, the voters clearly showed that they are looking to both parties to solve our problems. In other words, while we are buoyed by the victory, we realize that these are challenging times and both parties have put the health of our economy, as their main priority.

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Prime Minister Stuart: Life in Barbados Continues as Normal

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Submitted by Douglas
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart delivered a wide ranging address at the Democratic Labour Party’s St. Philip North Branch meeting at the Hilda Skeene Primary School on Sunday, 13thOctober 2013.  In a packed room of branch members and party supporters, the DLP President and Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the constituents of St. Philip North for their overwhelming support for Member of Parliament and Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley in the February 2013 General Elections.

He then went on to reassure those gathered that life in Barbados is normal despite what they had been hearing from an Opposition which he described as, “a hastily put together coalition of the restless, reckless and the rejected.”  He dismantled all of the recent Opposition attempts to foment unrest in Barbados by explaining the country’s position as it relates to the management of the economic challenges by protecting the foreign exchange reserves through the deficit reduction programme introduced in the 2013 Budgetary Proposals.

His wide-ranging presentation dealt with the payment of UWI tuition fees by Barbadian students, the status of temporary employees in the public service, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, the Transport Board and the CCJ’s Judgement in the Shanique Myrie Case.

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Who Blight This Rock?

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Submitted by Old Onion Bags
Amid all the bad news we heard about JetBlue

Amid all the bad news we heard about JetBlue

Am I right or am I wrong, when I say that Barbados like it under some sort of omen? Somehow nothing seems to be going right in this lil rock we call home. Pause a minute though, just nowadays? How long now since we had  the St. Peter’s school teachers and all its embroil?  Plenty bad business that could  draw up quite a long exhausting list. It seems like a never ending continuum. As soon as one down, up pops another. People enough have gone on sabbatical. Sometimes too, like they not coming back,  intentional or not.

So why then are we seeing all these dark shadows and mini horrors? There is talk surfacing that from the time des witches came here and had their convention and séance (up near Sam Lords), bad luck and trouble seems to have beset our gates. Some say they have cast a spell on this once bounteous land.

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Pickering Project Goes BOOM!

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Reynold Austin, president of the Democratic Labour Party Canada branch

Reynold Austin, president of the Democratic Labour Party Canada branch

It seems like yesterday, although it was June 2010,  when a frail David Thompson turned the the ceremonial sod to announce the coming of the Pickering Housing and Town Centre development project. Depending on which local media outlet is sourced for information about the project the figures 800 million or 1.7 billion are mentioned . BU cannot remember so many projects going ‘bellyup’ in such a short time period when compared to the last 3 years. Have we compromised on our due diligence method for recognizing quality foreign investment? Have a read of the lofty words uttered by the late Prime Minister Thompson to describe the Pickering Housing and Town Centre development.

Prime Minister Stuart and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) need to explain the stench wafting from this project which appears to be stillborn 3 years later. Before the fowls begin to cackle, here is why. In the Nation article Not Jolly a Canadian businessman is reported to have invested USD750,000 in the Pickering project after being approached by a Reynold Austin who was and still is the president of the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) Canadian branch.  It seems a sordid affair that Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart is being advertised as guest speaker at the 6th Annual Errol Barrow Memorial dinner being planned by the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) Canadian branch.  One wonders what the late Errol Barrow would have to say to Reynold Austin if he were to be reincarnated at his memorial function – see DLP Canada website.

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Prime Minister Fruendel's Stuart's General Election Declaration

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Document supplied compliments of Plantation Deeds

It is not the norm for the general public to get sight of how our political candidates allocate financial resources to support an election campaign. Caswell Franklyn has already asked some probing questions regarding Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler’s election declaration – Sinckler’s Honest Election Return. Here is the Prime Minister’s declaration with the compliments of Plantation Deeds.

 

Prime Minister Urges Financial Institutions to Lend Money to the Hospitality Sector

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Submitted by Due Diligence
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Thanks David for the link to the PM’s testimonial for Ocean Two at  http://bajan.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/untitled1.mp3. Not being familiar with the Ocean Two property, I checked it out at TripAdvisor which confirms the PMs glowing report. It is great to read.

It is a bit confusing why the PM would single out one property for endorsement; but there has to be a reason. The PM’s remarks about its secrets of success being underpinned by “serious Investment” are obvious. His comments that “The splendour of the surroundings speak with moving eloquence of the commitment of the owners of this property to investment in the property” are indeed eloquent.

One should bear in mind that the amount of investment required for a property of this size is not “chicken feed”. If Peter DeFreitas’ motivation to make such a significant investment is to support the Barbados tourism industry, he is to be commended. If his motivation is to earn a Return on Investment, only he and his lawyers, accountants and bankers know if he has been successful.

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A Prime Minister's Word

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What value should we place in the word of a Prime Minister. Should we dismiss Prime Minister Stuart’s promise as election campaign rhetoric? Should we dismiss the promise the late Prime Minister David Thompson made to CLICO policyholders? Are we finally willing to say to politicians, ENOUGH! Read Nation article PM’s Word

What value should we place in the word of a Prime Minister. Should we dismiss Prime Minister Stuart’s promise as election campaign rhetoric? Should we dismiss the promise the late Prime Minister David Thompson made to CLICO policyholders? Are we finally willing to say to politicians, ENOUGH!

Read Nation article PM’s Word

A Marriage Made in Heaven

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Submitted by Pachamama

Mia Mottley,Leader of the Opposition
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart won the head to head match up with Arthur in 2013.

Mia: ah hay Dipper tell you to form a national unity gouvment
Fruendel: well, I was tinking that Owen would have been a better partner. Dipper seemed to feel so ………….
Mia: Tom like he would agree too. But I is the maximum boss now, not Owen. He would never be able to overthrow me again!
Fruendel: the boys down under got other plans fuh he. Well, we can consider dah idea for the country. Like the social partnership, but deeper, as deep as Dipper use to dip and broader. The boys from down dey tink we could deepen we personal relationship too, yuh know.
Mia: but you aint got nuh wife
Fruendel: and you aint got nuh husband
Mia: so are you suggesting a powah alliance that is not merely political

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Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary – Time for Truce

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On BU we have discussed the politics which has seen one of our premier green spaces become an environmental black eye for the nation. While BU holds no brief for Peter Allard surely the time has come for Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart to intervene. To expect Minister of the Environment Denis Lowe to resolve the matter given his shenanigans with Allard (highlighted in BU) is unrealistic.

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These Fields and Hills (HOW ARE THESE THINGS EXPLAINED?)

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BU family member Raz Jahaziel has asked BU to highlight this story.

ANTOINETTE PILGRIM trying to salvage some galvanized sheets as workmen demolish the house she has lived in for many years. ((Picture by Maria Bradshaw

ANTOINETTE PILGRIM trying to salvage some galvanized sheets as workmen demolish the house she has lived in for many years. (Picture by Maria Bradshaw)

Mon, August 05, 2013 – 12:08 AM

AS ANTOINETTE PILGRIM tried to salvage some of the pieces of her home at Eversley Road, Brittons Hill, St Michael, she vowed never to vote for her parliamentary representative Freundel Stuart ever again.

“He can’t get my vote,” said the St Michael South constituent as she complained that the Prime Minister had not responded to her pleas for help when she called him just before she and her family were evicted from the land they had lived on for over 50 years.

Last Saturday she watched helplessly as workmen demolished the house following a court order. Pilgrim and her four children, aged two, ten, 16 and 21, had lived there, along with her 70-year-old stepfather Edwin Dyal.

The mother of four single-handedly tried to take away as many of the galvanized sheets as she could from the roof of the wooden home. (MB)

See link to Nation story: Evicted mum: Not my vote again!

A Cricket Match from Down Under

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Submitted by Pachamama

The Late J.M.G.M “Tom” Adams |
Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow labelled Barbados foreign policy “friends of all and satellites of none”

Tom: hurry up and let we spin the toss, man!
Dipper: alright, but since we recruited Thomo you set a world record down hey for the number of declarations in one-dayers
Tom: you mean I got the record up dey and down hey too!
Dipper: yuh aint win one since, you is the only man whoever declare in a one day match because yuh frighten fuh fast bowling
Tom: but uh win every election though
Dipper: next time we gine have Burhnum on our side
Tom: Dipper that would be against the rules and yuh just recruit Richie to open the batting
Dipper: Yuh know he always liked to dress up like Snow White but can’t play too much cricket
Tom: we thinking about calling up Owen
Dipper: he can’t win anymore up top so yuh might as well
Tom: but we playing yuh to a draw on top
Dipper: No, a win is a win
Tom: if a win is a win, let we play another cricket-election match and see wuh Mia gine do to Fruendel

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Snakes and Ladders in Public Administration: Putting Barbados in a State of Economic Viability

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George C. Brathwaite, founder and interim president of BAJE

George C. Brathwaite, founder and interim president of BAJE

There can be much to be derived out of the sober utterances that are spilled by a man not seemingly daunted by drowsiness or other lethargic effects of prolonged sleep. This article takes as its starting point the simplicity of the game – snakes and ladders – an Indian inspired, all-time favourite of many pre-adolescent children. The minimalism of snakes and ladders stems from its lack of any meaningful skill component in the execution of the game or in the attainment of the victor’s crown.

Notwithstanding, snakes and ladders was conceptualised with a deeper, moral, and sensitising agenda. Inherently, the choices of good and bad are included to signify the dialectical transformations emerging out of the contexts of values versus vices. There is the dynamism that links with performances to produce upward mobility in contrast to downward or backward falling. The aggregate difficulties (i.e. snakes) to be encountered are significantly more than the available opportunities (i.e. ladders) for climbing. It is by a mixture of self-determination and fortune in relation to similar circumstances facing at least one other participant/competitor that the outcome is manifested but never assured.

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The Coming Calamity of the DLP

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Submitted by Pachamama
Author contended then that OSA was more likely to accept an offer of national unity

Pachamama posits that OSA was more likely to accept an offer of national unity

The absence of political maturity in Barbados is unhelpful in circumstances where the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) barely ‘won’ the last general elections. The general acceptance by both the DLP and Barbados Labour Party (BLP) that the winner should take all fails to leave space for more normative interpretations of the perceptions of the electorate as expressed by their votes. Indeed, we currently live at a time when the country that Barbados mimics and looks to for an understanding about ourselves has had a coalition government for a number of years. In fact, the British parliament is comprised of multiple parties that, in name at least, have a wide range of political ideologies and yet there is space in the political culture for bi-partisan government at several levels. Not so in Barbados. For some reason we would rather pretend that there are such fundamental differences between the two major parties that there can never be an overriding national consensus that goes beyond party loyalty. We consider the political tendencies of Bajans are much more sophisticated than this simplistic polarizing construct.

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Be Truthful Prime Minster

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Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Workers Union

Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Workers Union

The statement made by the Prime Minister, in relation to Court Marshals, in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 is a clear indication that he is reckless with the truth or that he has a chronic truth-telling problem.

When Freundel Stuart was the Attorney General, he made a speech lambasting Marshals for not adequately performing their duties. At a subsequent meeting with the Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Marshals, he apologised for his remarks when he was shown that he was in error. He also claimed that he was unaware of the problems and promised to rectify the situation as soon as possible. He did nothing and, is now setting up the Marshals for ridicule and abuse from the public.

The truth is far different from what the PM would have the country believe. Persons appointed as Marshal II are responsible for serving court documents. There are 55 such established posts. When the DLP took office in January 2008, there were 25 vacancies for the post of Marshal II. Of the 30 remaining, thirteen are assigned to do duty in the High Court and Court of Appeal. In addition, others are assigned to the Magistrates’ Courts. Most days there are a maximum of thirteen Marshals available to serve court documents. Things have gotten so bad that some districts do not have a marshal assigned to them.

See Related Link: Prime Minister, Do the Decent Thing and Apologise

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Ronald Jones Should Be Dottined

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Ronald Jones, Minister of Education

Ronald Jones, Minister of Education

“There are persons who have no respect for democracy, they have a right to talk, but when they believe that right spreads to the creation of a groundswell to breed insurrection Mr. Speaker you will be calling on the military forces of Barbados, the Royal Barbados Police Force to bring back law and order,” he said.

“Who will be the Complaints Authority then? There will be thousands of complaints because by necessity in order to restore order you have to crack some heads, you have to shoot some people, let’s understand this reality. Nineteen thirty seven in this country many persons died, some that we can’t account for even now, so let them speak – .” (more of Ronald Jones’ statement which has sparked debate in the country)

Several interpretations can be placed on the VIDEO. The fact that BU received it from a White person only serves to add another dimension to the interpretation. BU’s simplistic view is if you place ‘power’ in the hands of someone who is operating way below a level of competence then that person will ‘ape’ what they have observed from others.

BU understands what Jones tried to communicate, although some believe it was a poor attempt at exploiting a Machiavellian principle.  BU believes it was simply an ignorant statement by a minister of the crown who is responsible for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation who became afflicted with a heavy bout of verbal diarrhoea.

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PM’s Recent Comments

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Submitted by Looking Glass
Fruendel Stuart, Prime Minister

Fruendel Stuart, Prime Minister

According to the PM it is possible to have social development when no economic development is taking place because structural changes are taking place which are intended to make life better for a larger number of people. [Economic Growth Should Benefit The People: Advocate 5/16/2013]. I am unsure exactly what he means by social development. Yes further social development may indeed be possible; but given the cost and the absence of economic development where will the money come from to facilitate it? Are you prepared to borrow the money to facilitate social development? Today the national debt is about $70bn which we cannot pay. If so then you are sending the country further down the drain.

He noted that in colonial times there was economic growth but there was no evidence of social development there or in the region. “There was no evidence of schools, hospitals or safety to protect the elderly, child labour and crude disrespect for women.” As was noted in Alleged Bajan Slavery the Jews built and developed the country until the Blacks took over the government in the early 19th century. The schools he went to there were built by them and his parents worked in Bridgetown.

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Tales From the Courts – Judges Fiddling On the Bench Assisted by Registrar Marva Clarke Part XIII

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Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

BU has come into possession of a list of outstanding decisions before the Barbados courts as at November 2012. It is a daunting list that in any other jurisdiction other than Barbados, would mandate that the delinquent judges be censored and their resignations demanded forthwith.

BU makes one caveat on behalf of Mr Justice Randall Worrell who is in an unenviable position not of his making. Former Chief Justice David Simmons invited Justice Worrell – a highly successful criminal counsel – on to the bench specifically to try criminal matters and therefore speed up the process of the courts, lessen remand periods etc. Once installed on the Bench, however, the Registrar persisted in scheduling civil matters, some of them extremely complex, before Justice Worrell. While at the same time, ensuring that he could not do justice to the civil matters by constantly involving him in assizes for which he had been brought on to the bench in the first place. Justice Worrell must now find the time to write his decisions in civil matters, as well as to complete part-heard matters that have commenced hearing before him, as mandated by the Administration of Justice Act Cap 109b of our laws. This is the main reason that BU has not gone after Justice Worrell for delinquency. However in the final analysis, Justice Worrell, whatever excuses can be posited on his behalf  will ultimately find himself joined in actions under the Constitution brought by litigants against the Attorney General for breach of the constitutional rights through delay. BU is well aware that there are a number of such actions for delay…but predictably these actions for delay are themselves egregiously delayed by the incompetence and corruption of the Registrar and the Registry.

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The Current State of the Economy…Crisis

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Chris Sinckler,Minister of Finance

Chris Sinckler,Minister of Finance

There’s no mystery here. Regardless of whether you’re talking about business, politics, sports or the military, the best leaders are first-rate communicators.

Communication: The most important key to leadership success

BU will continue to flog the point that good leaders find the best way to communicate effectively. Good communication is about  sending a message which is situation specific. The case of Prime Minister Stuart and whether he is a good communicator must be assessed against a landscape of what is the role of the prime minister in a harsh economic period.

If Prime Minister Stuart is a student of history he is aware of how Sir Winston Churchill used language to infuse a nation with confidence during a war. Truth be told Barbados appears to lack quality leaders in many spheres at this juncture in our history. Why should the Governor of the Central Bank feel constrained to speak (or write) about economic issues every quarter? Isn’t the country gripped in the throes of an economic meltdown which creates the ideal opportunity for him to comment? What about the cadre of academics at Cave Hill? Isn’t this a perfect time for Bajan-academics to share their knowledge and ideas  incubated deep in the bowels of academia on the Hill with an expectant public?

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An Open Letter to the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice

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Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

Dear Sirs,

BU has come across seemingly incontrovertible evidence that warrants both of your immediate investigation. The evidence involves Mr Justice Olson Alleyne. Evidence suggests that Mr Justice Alleyne continues to practice law under the business name of “Olson Alleyne Legal”, despite his elevation to the Bench and has indulged in the practice of law during his tenure on the Bench, even up to the present day. We are satisfied that as little as 14 days ago, counsel received correspondence from Olson Alleyne Legal signed by another lawyer on behalf of Mr Olson Alleyne. If proved, this constitutes gross and dismissible misconduct and we refer you to section 84 of the Constitution, to be easily found  online.

This is a matter of the gravest possible national importance. It requires investigation and explanation forthwith. BU, out of fairness and to permit you to conduct an immediate investigation, will refrain for the present from publishing the evidence. You are encouraged to contact us should you wish to avail yourself of this evidence and we will make arrangements to have it delivered to you. We await your expeditious response. It would be a great mistake to test our resolve on this one.

If there is no interest shown in this matter by officialdom we will interpret this to mean you have no problem with BU pursuing this matter in the public space of the Internet.

Notes From a Native Son: Can Prime Minister Stuart Lead Us to the Promised Land?

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Hal Austin

Hal Austin

Introduction:
It has now become an expected landmark in political analysis, no matter where you are from, that the first 100 days of any new administration are the most important roadmaps to the programme that that administration intends to follow for that parliament. Given that we are now only a few days away from the 100-day point with the Freundel Stuart DLP administration, what objective indicators have we got as to how the administration intends to govern the nation. In other words, cometh the moment, cometh the man: can Stuart be our Moses?  Is he equipped with the vision and tenacity to lead us out of the mire that we have found ourselves in?

New Administration:
For most of the last government prime minister Stuart and his supporters spent most of their time blaming the previous BLP government for the state of the economy, and they were right. The Arthur government spent 14 of the most prosperous years in global economic history and left the Barbados economy with serious current account and deficit problems. But, five years later, it is a poor excuse for finance minister Chris Sinckler and his advisers to continue to blame the BLP administration for the mess they are in.

They have had more than enough time to deal with the problems, more than that, they have had long enough to come up with credible ideas, a workable vision, to take the nation forward in these tough times. So far, there is not a single transparent idea to emerge from the prime minister’s office, the ministry of finance or indeed the central bank. Almost every statement, every speech, every interview they give catches them on the back foot, defending their incompetence and paucity of ideas. Not only that, they have somehow managed to turn every legitimate criticism, no matter how positive, in to a party political issue – to criticise is to be part of the opposition.

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Two Questions

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Bjorn Bjerkman is JADA Construction
John Boyce, Minister of Health

BU wishes to ask the Cabinet of Barbados headed by Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart the following questions:

Was Jada Construction – Bjorn Bjerkman – awarded the GROTTO contract WITHOUT going to tender? If so is this a violation of government’s financial rules?

In December last year with much fanfare former Minister of Transport John Boyce launched the Super Saver Smart Card. This is a prepaid card designed to allow customers to ‘top up’ and use to pay for travel on Transport Board buses.

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Notes From a Native Son: Managing in Good Times, Leading in Bad Times

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Hal Austin

Hal Austin

Introduction:
Most modern corporations and efficient public bodies provide management training for staff, both to help them do their current roles well and as preparation for promotion. It is what is expected of staff, and most importantly, of clients, that the people looking after their interests have the competence and skills to do so efficiently. Politics, however, is different. People quite often enter politics, with no management training apart from their formal and professional education.

In the case of Barbados, since a high proportion of our politicians are lawyers, they come in the majority of cases having not even had a junior to supervise or an office budget to manage. Yet, on appointment to the cabinet, they often find themselves with thousands of staff and million of dollars to look after. It is a horrifying prospect.

I remember a couple years ago asking a senior politician if members of cabinet received any private training in management and budget control before taking up office and/he told me no. I Britain, senior members of the cabinet receive private tutorials on how to manage staff and on controlling a budget.

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Operation Diazepam

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Submitted by Napolean Bonaparte

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, we have switched to auto pilot but for a short while…

As we sat momentary in silence, confirmation came from over the aircraft’s address system, that it was  business as usual.  Only weeks before, all incoming deputation were put on orange alert before release of any retrogress information.  In the interim, CA heads sought to prelist their take with an uncanny sense of urgency to defer any IMF pending  group therapy. Up pops a most laudable head of union suggesting congestions, which now transmits that certain underlying tectonics forces are at play.  More silence and still more silence…Of clever moves or deception?

All in the games we love to play.

A Policeman’s Cry to Prime Minister Stuart

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Submitted by Benny
Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

I wish first to congratulate you on your  return to office. The people of Barbados have instilled their confidence in you. I do personally admire you, and despite the beating that your leadership style has taken throughout the years I am satisfied that the Barbadian electorate is justified in returning you to office.  We believe that your are  honest,  of sound character and  fully capable of making this nation proud again. I must say though that I felt disappointed that you thought is necessary to respond to Muscle Mary as it was not worth the effort. In a day like today when persons cannot articulate themself without referring to another person physical appearance it is a sad. We accept the beauty of your character and honesty and the magnitude of your intellect; I buy into your concept of building a society. Mr Arthur explicitly stated that he does not know any  philosophy about building a society, he only  knows about building an economy. Well where the only vision is an economic vision the society becomes an open prison where respect is lost and freedom is curtailed by there resulting acts of criminality. Mr Arthur failed to see that when everything is premise on the almighty dollar it leads eventually to a state of anomie.

Mr PM you must take fully in your hands the reigns of leadership. You have created history being the first Prime Minister to inherited a Government and won back in the election, and  to add to that, in the toughest economic times. This definitely speaks volumes to the high regard in which the right thinking Barbadians hold you and your Government, may God bless you and give you the health and strength to continue.

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Notes from a Native Son: Stuart Must Make Maximum use of his Honeymoon Period

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Hal Austin

Hal Austin

Introduction:
Now that the general election is over, and the nation has indicated its distrust, or indecision, of the two main parties, the marginal majority held by the DLP must, nevertheless, be treated with the respect and seriousness which the urgency of the nation’s predicament deserves. It is, however, an opportunity for the DLP government to start afresh, and, whatever the impulse, the prime minister must take a firm grip on policy and drive through his ideas. This is now his government, the electorate have given him a mandate and it is his moment to make history. He now has an opportunity to write his name in the nation’s story comparable to that of Errol Barrow or even Grantley Adams. Equally, he can go down as another Bernard ‘Bree’ St John or Erskine Sandiford, as someone who made very little impact on the nation and who is remembered for all the wrong reasons. After appointing his Cabinet, the first thing the prime minister – and at the time of writing only the attorney general has been appointed – should do is draft a ten-year development plan, with radical pathways for dragging Barbados, kicking and screaming, in to the 21st century.

Reforming the Public Sector:
Some civil servants, in their arrogance or ignorance of democracy, boast that while politicians are there for short periods, they are there for a working life. One of the first things the prime minister should do is to dis-abuse them of this nonsense. However, this does not mean entering territorial fight with senior civil servants; the changes must be carried out with civility and professionalism on both sides in the interest, most importantly, of present taxpayers and future generations. The failure of politicians and civil servants to work effectively together will in any case impact on the quality of service the general public receives. But, it is to improve the efficiency of this service that changes must be made.

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Sights and Scenes From DLP Party Headquarters on Election Night

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Prime Minster Fruendel Stuart being congratulated on election ight at party headquarters

Prime Minster Stuart being congratulated after the DLP was the declared the winner

There are some things the BU household has surrendered to by saying, we just do not understand.

Dr. David Estwick – A Phoenix Rises from the Political Ashes

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Submitted by Gordon Jones
Dr. David Estwick, a key performer on the campaign platform

Dr. David Estwick, a key performer on the campaign platform

Although it might seem that I have been given the bad end of the stick it is my belief that I have been chosen by the Almighty, and my constituents of St Phillip West to work on behalf of this country.  My mother always said: time longer than twine and that the race is not for the swift but is for he that endureth.

Nation Newspaper (01/10/2010)

Despite a can-do attitude and an unmatched passion for politics the first term of the DLP administration was not been particularly kind or favourable to Dr.David Estwick. First there was the allegation of brandishing a firearm in the precincts of Parliament and then there was the public spat with a dying David Thompson ending with the now infamous Bajan quote ‘time longer than twine’.

Dr. Estwick who is affectionately known in the political arena as The Pitbull, undertook responsibility for crafting the economic message and arguments for the DLP campaign and also for analyzing the policies and personality of Owen Arthur and for the vicious attacks that resulted there from. Some will argue that it was the combined efforts of Dr. Estwick and Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart that ultimately destroyed the mystique and somewhat favourable memory of Owen Arthur as a leader capable of delivering prosperous times. The combined effort prove too fatal to Owen Arthur’s bid to regain the leadership of Barbados and the experience will serve these two well in 2018 when it is likely that they will be facing the more formidable challenger in Mia Mottley.

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