Broken DLP Promises

Statement from Christopher Sinckler:
Government fully intended to implement all the policies in the manifesto circulated prior to the January 15 general election."We will deliver on the promise to have housing delivered to Barbadian." – Christopher Sinckler, General Secretary, Democratic Labour Party.
Page 47 of the DLP’s 2008 Manifesto on: “good governance.”

The DLP administration’s attitude to accountability will be based on the understanding that as servants and representatives of the people there can be no secrets or matters to be hidden from the population. Consequently, a DLP administration will be accountable for its actions and policies and will take the public into its confidence.”

There will be no stepping back from the 100 day policy. Forward ever, backward never. The words of then General Secretary Christopher Sinckler

Below is a list of DLP 100 day promises that have not been kept.
Reduction of VAT
The DLP will reduce the rate of VAT within 90 days of assuming office.

KENSINGTON OVAL
KENSINGTON OVAL will become "part of the family silver" within 90 days of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) assuming office.

"We are insisting that Kensington Oval, where hundreds of millions of hard earned taxpayers dollars are invested, must be owned by the people of Barbados and that is what we shall see to, within 90 days from Wednesday," Thompson declared. – Nation Newspaper, January 13, 2008.

LAND

• Within 90 days of being elected, a DLP administration would introduce a policy of zoning certain lands for exclusive Barbadian purchase.

“I am saying to Barbadians, at home and abroad, that:

• Within 90 days of being elected the Government of this country, a Democratic Labour Party administration will introduce a policy of zoning certain lands for exclusive Barbadian purchase.

Additionally,

• A Democratic Labour Party administration will make it compulsory that all land for sale in major developments be advertised, inclusive of asking price on the local market prior to promotion and sale to non-Barbadians. Proof of advertising must be supplied when applying for transfer to non-Barbadian interests.” - David Thompson’s 2007 Budget Reply

100 Day Land Promises

• WITHIN 100 DAYS of gaining office in the next general election, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) will put a strict land and agricultural policy in place, since nothing is currently untouchable under the current administration.
• Within the first 100 days of winning the Government, the DLP would introduce an Agriculture Protection Act requiring two-thirds majority of both houses of Parliament for a change-of-use from agriculture for any area over two acres.

ENERGY

• Within the first 100 days of taking office, his administration would remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity bills for domestic users and a review of other household utility bills.
• VAT would also be removed from manufacturers' electricity bills once they could demonstrate they were working towards exportation and earning foreign exchange.

ENVIRONMENT
Page 42, DLP’s 2008 Manifesto

• In the first 100 days introduce the Agriculture protection Act that will require a 2/3 majority of both houses of parliament for a change of use of land from agriculture. We will reserve 30,000 acres for agricultural use.
• Make it mandatory that all land for sale in major developments be advertised with prices on the local market prior to promotion and sale on the international market to non-Barbadians. Proof of advertising must be supplied when applying for transfer to non-Barbadian interest.

LEGISLATION
A new DLP government will move to immediately enact a comprehensive national Labour Rights legislation compendium which will include the following:

• A Full Employment Rights Act
• An Alternative Disputes settlement and Arbitration Committee
• A sexual harassment in the Workplace Act
• National minimum wages legislation
• Legislation fully recognizing Trade Unions.

POLICE

• As a matter of urgency, the new government will provide better remuneration for Police Officers.

HOUSING

• The removal of VAT from building materials on houses valued up to $400 000 within the first 100 days of office.
• Establish a home ownership revolving fund to provide interest-free loans to first time public servant home owners with five years' service and appointed.
• Commit to building 2 000 housing solutions per year, in the first term of a DLP government, including rental units, terrace unit and starter homes.