The blogmaster studied the declaration of election expenses incurred by candidates in the recent St. George North by-election and it confirmed his views about many things, one being the entanglement of the duopoly in the body politic of Barbados for the foreseeable future.
Discuss for 100 marks
I believe that all candidates in this by election are accomplished persons, who can competently represent the people of St George North. However, can they address the specific problems facing this constituency?
The housing, drainage, roads, water, and transportation problems require engineering solutions – which I specialise in. The unemployment problems require business development solutions, which I also specialise in.
The Prime Minister wants Toni Moore to assist her with some heavy lifting. The Prime Minister can easily get Toni Moore in her Cabinet, in the same way that she appointed Senator Lisa Cummins as Minister of Tourism. Therefore, the Prime Minister can get Toni Moore, and the people of St George North can get their first Engineer.
WHAT IF?
What if the people vote for their party’s interests instead of their own?
Nationally, it does not matter how St George North voters vote. Mia Mottley will still be the Prime Minister of Barbados, and the BLP will still be in Government. However, it does matter to the residents of St George North how they vote.
If they vote for the BLP, then they will simply switch one BLP representative for another. Therefore, they can expect their lives to remain the same. This sameness can be described as being house-poor and/or working-poor.
If they vote for the DLP, then since DLP projects must be approved by a BLP Cabinet, voters can expect their lives to remain the same. The UPP, BFP, and the PdP will face the same problems as the DLP. Therefore, that is a vote for poverty.
Poverty can cause people to justify prostitution, stealing, selling drugs, or doing any other illegal activities just to survive, and provide for their families. Voters finally have an opportunity to vote for prosperity.
Solutions Barbados does not need any Government support for our projects. They are designed to directly benefit the residents of St George North. Our no-profit construction company can provide all unemployed persons in St George North with a salary, to pay their monthly expenses. Therefore, they can pay their family’s rent/mortgage, food, clothes, school fees, school books, medicines, etc.
We can train all families in St George North to start profitable businesses, with no start-up money. Their products may be marketed on the Internet, to countries where Barbados has favourable double taxation agreements.
St George North has this opportunity to show the rest of Barbados what a prosperous constituency looks like. On 11 November, we will know whether voters voted for the narrow interests of their political parties, or the interests of their families and the rest of Barbados.
Candidates for political office normally identify problems in the constituency, and describe their capacity to address them. All Candidates identified housing, roads, road repairs, transportation, drainage, and high unemployment as major problems in St George North.
These problems have persisted through repeated BLP and DLP administrations. If those administrations were serious about addressing them, they would have assembled the following team of professionals, to quickly design and implement sustainable solutions.
1. A Structural Engineer to strengthen weak houses.
2. A Highway Engineer to properly repair roads and address transportation issues.
3. An Environmental Engineer to improve drainage and sewerage problems.
4. A Land-use Planner to address residents living in ground water restricted areas.
5. An Adjudicator to address home-owner disputes with building contractors.
6. A Trainer to facilitate business start-ups.
7. An Educator to finish secondary school graduates to become responsible adults.
8. Project Manager to make sure that all of the projects are completed safely, timely, economically, and to a high quality.
A MIRACLE.
By some miraculous coincidence, I happen to be highly qualified in every one of these disciplines, that St George North desperately needs at this time. Yet, whenever I mention my qualifications, I am accused of self-promotion, and they are not published.
Are all Candidates not competing for the same privilege of serving the people of St George North? Don’t voters have a right to know the qualifications of all Candidates, to help them decide with whom to trust their concerns over the next 30 months? Does keeping my qualifications an unpublished secret, not unfairly raise doubt about my capacity to implement our plans?
A RIGHT TO KNOW.
Why are voters allowed to know all about Toni’s experience as a trade unionist, but are not allowed to know that I am a: chartered structural engineer, chartered highway engineer, environmental engineer, project manager, planner, and chartered arbitrator?
Why are voters allowed to know about Ambrose’s qualifications as a banker and consultant, but are not allowed to know that I have earned: two Bachelors degrees in mathematics and civil engineering, two Masters degrees in environmental engineering and planning, and am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Structural Engineering?
Why are voters allowed to know all about David’s experience as a teacher and farmer, but are not allowed to know that I am a: musician, singer, composer, inventor, author, publisher, teacher, and the President of Walbrent College, which is a regional institution specialising in construction?
Why are voters allowed to know all about Floyd’s experience as a cricketer and coach in various countries, but are not allowed to know that I have worked in: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos Islands, to improve the built environment for their residents?
Why are voters allowed to know of Alex’s 20 years in the US marine corps, but are not allowed to know that I have 30 years in the construction industry, am the 2014 winner of the National Innovation Competition, and received the Visionary award from the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries.
The wall of media silence about my qualifications has finally cracked. For the first time since 2015 when I founded Solutions Barbados, I was able to mention some of them without them being edited out. In response, those tasked with keeping this dangerous information secret are in full attack mode. But I cannot be intimidated, because I am not ashamed of my qualifications to represent the people of St George North.
The decision to have a national TV debate between the candidates contesting the St. George North constituency seat has been mired in controversy from the beginning. The result is that of the six candidates registered to contest the seat made vacant by the ‘retired out’ Gline Clarke, only candidates Toni Moore (BLP), Grenville Phillips (Solutions Barbados) and Alex Mitchell (BFP) are the three left standing. The other candidates have offered excuses for not participating, the blogmaster suspects the real reason is that there is a fear to speak to the issues publicly in an independent setting.
It is ironic that the current week has seen Barbados experiencing heavy rains which must be negatively affecting house to house and platform campaigning. What an opportunity tonight’s debate offers to convey respective party messages to SGN residents while in the comfort of their homes.
#bigworks #anyidiotcanplaycricket
The blogmaster must admit that following the platforms of ALL political parties campaigning in the St. George by-election has been a slog. In Bajan parlance- boring is shyte.
The highlights- negative for the BLP (time will tell)- of the campaign have been 79 year old Delisle Bradshaw’s statement ‘any idiot can play cricket’ and the questioning of Gline Clarke’s dual citizenship. A press report in today’s Nation confirmed that Clarke always intended to renounce Canadian citizenship. One is left to speculate why BLP political strategists allowed the issue to grow wings by not getting ahead of it
For the blogmaster the appearance of Rawdon Adams on the SGN campaign trail makes for interesting rumshop discussion. Minister Santia Bradshaw (daughter of Delisle Bradshaw) reference to pedigree has set political tongues wagging with cries of elitism. What is it about the Bradshaws!
It is no secret the blogmaster has a lot of time for Senator Adams. His unflappable style, obvious intelligence, exposure to the outside and yes ‘pedigree’ and heritage equips him to be as good as or better than any other candidate. His entry to local politics would in the opinion of the blogmaster add value to the political landscape of Barbados. The obvious conclusions being made by onlookers is that he will be declared a candidate coming soon. Others suggest it is a case of Adams answering a call by Mottley for ALL Bees to swarm SGN.
#sodabixpolitics
For those who missed Adam’s presentation forward to 2hrs 40m of the YouTube video.
It has not taken long for some political candidates to behave badly. Even when their political party starts their meeting with prayer to our Creator, they still manage to find their way into the gutter.
Perhaps things may improve if Candidates started their meetings, by saying something nice about their fellow candidates. Since the suggestion is mine, I will start.
Every interaction I have had with Toni Moore has been a pleasant one. She listens to other views, and gives practical improvements. I can understand why the Prime Minister would want to include her when developing national policies.
I have had far less interactions with Floyd Reifer; but those interactions have also been pleasant. The man is clearly a leader, and with the right support, may significantly benefit Barbados politically.
Ambrose Grosvenor is a fellow member of the Wesleyan Holiness Church. He is a trusted Treasurer in his Church, and I have not heard of Ambrose being involved in any scandals. He pays attention to details, which may prevent issues from falling through the proverbial cracks.
David Walrond is a fellow old scholar of Combermere School, and a pleasant man. He has ideas, and a willingness to implement them.
Alex Mitchell is a serious man. He hates injustice with the same passion that I hate corruption. He does not compromise if that compromise causes him to violate his principles. There is no pretence with Alex – he is the real deal.
I love God unashamedly, and with only one life to live, I spend it pursuing truth, even if the truth is inconvenient to discover. I try not to judge other people, because no one is perfect, and we all learn by failure. But I try to show options, and the likely consequences of choosing each option, and let each person choose the path they wish to follow.
The Prime Minister advised that CBC should allow debates between all candidates contesting the St George North by-election. Political parties do not have to participate in these debates. However, we think that it would be unwise not to participate.
By participating, Candidates have the opportunity to both explain their plans to voters, and defend their plans from scrutiny from other candidates and the moderator.
At present, candidates are simply mentioning their plans to voters. But neither our professional organisations or journalists are checking to see whether the plans are workable. Neither are they questioning whether the candidates have any capacity to implement their plans.
The debates are an opportunity to expose the plans to scrutiny. In preparation for the debates, let us review each party’s plans. The parties can then improve the plans for the benefit of the constituents, and to better prepare for the debates.
REVIEW OF PARTY’S PLANS.
The BLP plans to bring prosperity to the people of St George North through fish farming. The main questions are: Is this an idea whose feasibility now needs to be studied? Is the implementation date this year, or 2023? Who is funding this idea? What experience does the candidate have to implement it?
The DLP plans to assist the youth in cricket, and to have a skills bank. The main questions are: What about the youth that do not want to play cricket? The skills bank idea has been tried and failed, because people want to employ the best skills available in Barbados for their job. So, what is different about this skills bank that improves its chances of success? What experience does the candidate have to manage a skills bank?
The UPP plans to monetise the creative industries. The example given was making money by uploading videos to YouTube on the Internet. The main questions are: What training is required to implement this idea? What experience does the Candidate have in making money from YouTube videos?
The BFP plans to do construction activities. The main question is: What capacity does the Candidate have in implementing this idea?
The PdP plans to do farming. Farming has been proposed by political parties in every election since our Independence. Those who try it have to contend with monkeys and humans stealing their produce. There is also the risk of excessive rain, drought, and limited water. Farmers have to invest much for months before seeing a return. So the main question is, how are these foreseen issues being addressed?
Solutions Barbados plans to employ persons in the construction of houses, and to train families to start businesses, with no start-up money. I have 30 years of experience in the construction industry, and am the 2014 winner of the National Innovation Competition. I already train people how to build strong and low-maintenance houses, and to start profitable businesses. Therefore,
I welcome the scrutiny.
Let the debates begin.
The unemployment situation in St George North is dreadful. Disappointing voters with false promises is not an option in this by-election. Candidates must offer workable plans, to effectively address the mass unemployment problems in St George North.
There are six candidates seeking to work for the people of St George North, for the next 30 months. It is important that none of us follow the bad examples of those who have gone before us.
Candidates who plan to use the desperate unemployed people of St George North as pawns, just to secure a seat in the House of Assembly for their party, are doing the unconscionable. They are ensuring that the people continue to suffer, during these exceptionally difficult times. The present suffering is compounded by an unnecessary IMF austerity program, and a global COVID-19 pandemic.
Candidates who make promises that they know they cannot keep, are deceiving voters’ families. Candidates who know that they have no capacity to implement their party’s plans, push that deceit beyond tolerable levels.
Career politicians have repeatedly broken their promises to previous generations of voters. Those voters had the patience to tolerate and forgive those, who repeatedly deceived them with empty promises.
The current generation of young voters are different – they will not forgive that type of deceit. Candidates without any workable economic plans for the families of St George North, are playing with fire.
From my visits to almost every community in St George North, I have found one consistent desperate need. The employed want work for the unemployed, and the unemployed want work. All other issues were secondary.
All five candidates in this by-election (BLP, DLP, Solutions Barbados, UPP, and PdP) have a responsibility to propose workable solutions to the unemployment problems in St George North. The plans must not depend on new government funding, because the Government will claim that they have no money.
If a candidate does not have a workable plan, then they need to devise one. The plan should be fully operational in the 30 months remaining in the current election cycle.
UNCONSCIONABLE PRETENSE
If a candidate does not have a workable plan, then they should stop pretending that they do. It is unconscionable to give desperately hurting people false hope and empty promises.
The people of St George North do not only need a Member of Parliament (MP) in this by-election. There are so many MP’s in the House of Assembly, that the Prime Minister does not know what to do with them. The people of St George North need someone to manage workable employment generating projects.
Our plan is designed to make St George North the most prosperous constituency in Barbados. Both the plan, and my capacity to implement it, are contained in Solutions Barbados’ manifesto (attached). Please contact us if you have not received your copy.
All constituencies in Barbados are hurting. St George North voters have a responsibility to give them hope, and not let them down. They can do this by voting for the best plan for themselves, not their party.
If people are prospering, then families, businesses, churches, and community organisations automatically benefit.
Last week the four main opposition political parties announced they will combine forces to support one candidate in the by-election to be held on the 11 November 2020 in St. George North. Leading political commentator @budavid described the move has “shrewd”and one that finally demonstrated a level of political maturity not witnessed since universal suffrage in the Caribbean.
When asked to elaborate by international foreign affairs correspondent @Pachamama, @budavid indicated adversarial politics was the vestige of a colonial past and had demonstrably failed to optimally define the people of the island state of Barbados. He stated, “we are a homogenous society and a consensus type of politics should be the alternative to determine the future of our small predominantly Black nation- and to ensure the hopes of a proud small island developing state are realised and fears are assuaged“.
The entrenched incumbent political party has implemented and supported a raft of polices on winning office which have weakened the voice of the opposition and served to destabilize the system of governance as envisaged by the framers of the Westminster system which the country has parodied. Two polices continuing to attract scathing critique from the BU intelligentsia are the politics of co-option and the reluctance of the incumbent and entrenched government to relax the rule governing a subvention for opposition political parties.
And the politics of inclusion practised by the incumbent party reared its head again last week with the head of the largest trade union fast tracked for membership in a record setting one week to support her candidature in St. George North. The leader of the incumbent party admitted party rules had to be ‘abridged’ to accommodate the new member.
The incumbent political party has dismissed repeated calls to relax the rule that prevents a subvention to political parties who have not faced the electorate. @budavid recently reminded the prime minister from the #barbados_underground that she had a “duty of care” as primus inter pares and guardian of our democracy to be bipartisan when treating with certain matters. She was also reminded that there was no hesitation by the government she represents to amend the Constitution for less important matters as reflected in Hansard.
The shrew decision of the Opposition parties to coalesce behind the candidate with the best chance to win has resonated across Barbados and resulted in the needle on the Political Apathy Index (PAI) shifting +10 – the most significant movement in 40 years. A desirable outcome of the tectonic shift in political sentiment has resulted in the redundancy of political pollsters.
That the political system has mechanisms by which political parties can reach a compromise even though they disagree on policies. In Sweden, difficult issues are sent to a commission on which all the parties and key interest groups are represented in order to reach an agreement, and, in Austria, Government, business and the trade unions agree on the main economic policies and the left and right parties accept what has been agreed.
Britpolitics
@budavid throws his support behind the move by the main opposition parties to embrace a consensus style of politics and hopes that it will be the catalyst for a transformation event to a consensus style of democracy. For too long the hopes and aspirations of a proud people have been superseded by the paramountcy of the political party.
Unfolding in Barbados, is the by-election in St George North with Ms. Toni Moore as the candidate for the Barbados Labour Party. In her response at the public announcement, she stated that she is going to “help labour.” It makes absolutely no sense at all because her job description is to “help labour,” and in addition she also sits as a Senator and is a member of the Sub- Committee of the Social Partnership.
Has Ms. Moore forgotten what a labour union is? By definition, it is an organized association of workers, trades or professions, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.
In fact, if the union needed advancement or a political voice to protect them in today’s Barbados, my argument is that the General Secretary of the largest workers union in Barbados, the Barbados Workers Union should not have accepted an offer to be candidate of a political party when she has the capacity to form her own political party.
The trade union movement has been at the cross roads in Barbados for some time and perhaps forming a worker’s party is the requirement to inject new life into this entity.
We all know the old adage, if only the lion knew its strength, then it would rule the world. In 2020, why would the leader of the largest workers union in Barbados accept the candidacy to be a part of political party and not create their own? Is it that there is a lack of vision?
In my opinion, there being no real labour parties left in Barbados, the onus on her should have been to realize this and form a labour party. Sadly Ms. Moore did not see this opportunity.
What is a labour party? It is simply a political party formed to represent the interests of ordinary working people. Based on their performance, both the BLP and the DLP have long since departed the model.
There are tremendous benefits that can be derived for the ordinary workers of Barbados if a worker’s union formed its own political party. An increase in the minimum wage, redirecting the emphasis of government to the ordinary working class instead of big business, redirection of government contracts, the development of housing for the working class, the development of workers co-operatives and business development that serves as a platform for black economic enfranchisement and the list goes on.
If she wins the by-election, the conflict of interest that will arise for Ms. Moore goes far beyond which hat she wears to ultimately which voice takes precedence, that of the Prime Minister or that of the members of the Barbados Workers Union. Based on her recent acts of conceding to government demands, it is unlikely that this will change. Most likely members of the workers union will not be confident about an altered relationship which will be perceived as the union in bed with the government.
One can be of the opinion that Ms. Moore was quite shortsighted. It is hoped that she has not dropped her bone for a reflection. However, there is scope for someone to take the trade union movement to new and greater heights than it has previously achieved.
Dear People of St George North.
My name is Grenville Phillips II. I am the President of Solutions Barbados, and your candidate in this by-election. Let me first tell you about myself, and then about what we plan to do in St George North over the next two and one-half years.
About Me.
I have qualified in several disciplines. I am a structural engineer, highway engineer, environmental engineer, land-use planner, and adjudicator. I am also a teacher and President of Walbrent College, which is a regional institution specialising in construction. Therefore, my Clients benefit from a range of different disciplines for the same fee.
I hold two Bachelors degrees (maths and engineering), two Masters degrees (environmental engineering and planning), and am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Engineering. I do this for only one reason – to provide a better service to my Clients.
If you elect me to represent you for the next two and one-half years, then you become my Clients, and I will work for you.
About Our Plans.
With only one seat in Parliament, I will not have a Ministry. Therefore, we can dedicate most of our time improving the lives of those in this constituency. If we form the Government in 2023, then Solutions Barbados will make similar improvements across Barbados.
Building Houses.
I have 30 years of experience in the construction industry. We plan to set-up a non-profit construction company, to participate in the government’s 1,000 affordable houses initiative.
We will train all unemployed St George North residents, who want to learn to safely construct a house. Training will take two weeks, at no cost to St George North residents. We will then employ them in the non-profit company, to apprentice with senior artisans. If the government’s 1,000 houses initiative does not happen, then we will build affordable houses for any client in Barbados.
Strengthening Houses.
The roofs of most houses in St George North are vulnerable to blowing off during a hurricane. We will offer to economically strengthen the roofs of all houses in St George North, for the cost of the labour and materials, but no profit.
Those who want their roof strengthened for only the cost of the materials, can volunteer their time with the no-profit company one day each week, for seven weeks. They will help to strengthen the roofs of other houses in St George North.
Dilapidated and Abandoned Houses.
We plan to identify the owners of all dilapidated and unoccupied houses in St George North. We will then negotiate with the owners an arrangement, where we will economically repair the house, and get it rented. The rent will be split between the homeowner and the non-profit company, until the construction cost is repaid.
Road Maintenance.
Potholes can lead to costly vehicle repairs and accidents. Therefore, we will organise a dedicated St George North road maintenance crew, staffed by St George North residents, to safely and permanently repair potholes. A volunteer force of 350 people, allows each person to work for only one day each year.
Energy Generation.
We will offer to install a Photovoltaic (PV) system on every roof in St George North at cost, with no profit. It would be connected to the BL&P grid, so that home-owners will have more disposable income.
Those who want the PV systems installed at only the cost of the materials, can volunteer their time with the no-profit company one day each week, for seven weeks. They will help to install PV systems on other houses in St George North.
Tree Planting.
To address monkeys and other crop thefts, and provide some food security for St George North residents, we will participate in the Government’s tree planting scheme. We will plant thousands of fruit trees near drainage courses, open spaces, and wooded areas across the constituency.
Construction Disputes.
Disputes between homeowners and contractors are common. As an Adjudicator, I plan to listen to both sides, and give preliminary rulings on construction disputes. This service will be free of cost to residents of, and disputes within St George North.
Any party may have the matter finally settled by the court. But the preliminary ruling should let them know the likely outcome, and prompt them to settle before starting a long and costly court process.
Finishing School.
Regardless of how well or poorly students did at secondary school, we will train all willing St George North secondary school graduates (in six weeks) to be employable, and/or ready to start their own business. Training will be at no cost to St George North residents.
Participants will learn to speak, write, listen, calculate, draw, and do tasks at an excellent level. We will teach them to become responsible adults, and model employees, and employers.
Wealth Creation.
I am the 2014 winner of the National Innovation Competition. We will train people how to start and grow a profitable business, with no start-up money. The 8-week training will be at no cost to St George North residents.
The aim is for each willing participant to have a viable Internet based business, by the end of the workshop. This should provide each household with a separate income stream.
Advocacy.
In the House of Assembly, we will advocate for the following:
We also plan to critically examine all proposed legislation, to ensure that it is in the best interest of the Barbadian public. That should keep us sufficiently busy for the next 30 months.
The BLP won all 30 seats in 2018. This by-election is an opportunity to do at least two things. Namely, to keep the BLP accountable, and to meaningfully benefit the residents of St George North.
You are in an enviable position, where you have nothing to lose by voting for Solutions Barbados – and everything to gain.
There is going to be a by-election in St. George North and some parties have already announced their candidates. I will not waste time speculating about the reasons – real or imagined- why the sitting MP Glyne Clarke has resigned from parliament and is taking up a diplomatic post in Canada. That is for the gossip posse.
What is important is that this by-election has come at a time when the country is at the lowest ever in its economic performance and arguably at its lowest moral ebb. Politically, the country is experiencing a rise in de facto totalitarianism, a trend being reflected around the world and led by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).
Coming just over two years after the main election in 2018, the electioneering engines should not require too much of a warm up, especially in this weather! The core question is: will it be an acid test for the government or merely some quinine for covid-19?
I will leave the bulk of the statistical political punditry to the other bloggers who may more be skilled at the enterprise of analyzing historical voting patterns and the like. Interested readers can now make use of the site Caribbean Elections Website to fuel their punditry and speculations.
What I want to do, as succinctly as possible, is to state a few imperatives/hypotheses about the by-election.
THE RULING PARTY CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS BY-ELECTION. If it does it will confirm how we “feel”, namely, that the populace is no longer enamoured with the BLP and its leader what with the serial malfeasances it has committed over the last two years. If it wins, the pundits will put it down to hard core support in the constituency.
Your guess is as good as mine, though, as to whether the BLP is committing political suicide by running BWU union boss, Toni Moore. I know the BU historians will tell us about the union leaders who have run for political office over the years so I am looking forward to that rehash and the punditry that will follow. My rough estimate is that about 70% – 75% of Nationnews Facebook comments cast Ms. Moore’s selection negatively. One commentator bluntly hoped she would lose. But I concede that that is a small and perhaps irrelevant sample.
THE PDP CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO FIELD A CANDIDATE IN THIS BY-ELECTION. I have been following their Facebook communications and all other things considered, they have been doing a fairly decent job of dissecting the issues even for a small, neophyte opposition. So, not to field a candidate in the by-election would send a message that they are still not quite ready.
THE DLP CAN BE EXPECTED TO FIELD A CANDIDATE. After all, it has been predicting by-elections in two constituencies (Indar Weir’s and Trevor Prescod’s) for more than a year! Let’s see what they come up with! Again I leave my fellow bloggers to speculate…if they have time!
THE UPP MUST SHOW THAT IT HAS NOT LOST HOPE. It has fielded a candidate and we shall see how that plays out. All things considered, it gave a fairly good account of itself in 2018 election. What I “worry” about is their pedestrian and non-charismatic leadership.
GRENVILLE PHILLIPS [A.K.A SOLUTIONS BARBADOS] HAS ENTERED THE FRAY. Best of luck and more power to the Treasury!
Moving on smartly! What about issues to be raised in this by-election?
There are many hot, topical issues to inspire debate and conspire about: Covid-19, union betrayal, same sex unions, homosexual marriages, tourism, crime, BEST, neglect of the constituency, the push for republic status for Barbados and the “Thrown” Speech in general. The more enlightened and skilful party (parties) will throw in the Chinese influence in Barbados and the Caribbean. Just remember I did say “enlightened”!
All in all, I am looking forward to political theatre at its BEST!
Our Prime Minister has announced that a new election is to be held in St George North. As the Solutions Barbados declared Candidate for St George North, it seems that we are the first out of the blocks.
This election will come at a time when we are still in a pandemic, an IMF austerity program, and a plan to turn Barbados into a Republic – without a national referendum. Solutions Barbados believes that the public should be allowed to declare their support of, or opposition to being a Republic. Such a fundamental change is not something that we should be forced into.
Solutions Barbados is the third largest political party in Barbados, by measure of votes cast in the last General Election. We are also the second largest, by measure of declared candidates for the next general election.
A FAIR THIRD PARTY TEST.
With a 30-0 result in the last general election, this election should be a fair test of the viability of third political parties in Barbados at this time. However, it can only be a meaningful test if the media allows fair coverage of all political views. Therefore, their role in this experiment is critical.
Solutions Barbados was founded on 1 July 2015. Our manifesto was published on Solutions Barbados.com that same day for rigorous public scrutiny. Over the past five years, we have never told the media ‘no comment’. We have always made ourselves available for any interview, and participated in any debate on any topic.
For the past 5 years, we have published between one and three press releases every week. Our articles are well researched solutions to current national problems in Barbados. If you are not receiving our press releases, then please send us your e-mail address and/or WhatsApp number, and we will add you to our growing distribution list.
To the press, we are simply asking for fair coverage.
Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer and President of Solutions Barbados. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com
