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In the lead up to this general election, a few commentators have sought to convince the electorate that there was an inherent danger in having one party hold the reins of office for four terms consecutively. Forced as they were to justify this position, they advanced the argument that multiple terms in government by one party represented a threat to democracy.

We disagree strongly. More than disagreeing, we feel that it is our duty to do what those commentators have not done. That is, to explain the meaning of democracy. In its original Greek translation the word democracy meant ‘rule by the people’. In essence, therefore, democracy concerns the legitimate interests of the citizens and embraces the fundamental right of every individual to fully participate in the life of his polity.

It is our reality that the political party exists as a legal entity separately from the broad population, except that it may make legitimate claims to pursue and represent the people’s interests whether or not those citizens are members of the party. In strong contrast to the infamous “fatted calf” declaration of the DLP leader at that party’s annual conference a few years ago, the Barbados Labour Party continues its commitment to safeguard the rights and interests of every person in Barbados in accordance with the Constitution of Barbados.

It must be emphasised that the essence of democracy is not to be found within the interchange of political parties between the governmental and opposition sides of our Parliament. Indeed, that is a matter upon which the ultimate decision is again that of the people. Are these commentaries not therefore condemning the people’s will if that is what the citizens desire by the free exercise of their franchise?

Change merely for its own sake represents the kind of political perverseness that would punish the outstanding merit of the Barbados Labour Party, and reward the froth of promises made by a DLP in a desperate grab at governmental office. We are confident that the electorate will intelligently entrust the government of this country to the hands of this great party based on an exemplary record of achievement during the last 13 years in office.

The question remains though as to how the Barbados Labour Party has honoured the democratic rights of the citizens of Barbados. Democracy fundamentally involves the right of every individual to fully participate in the economy of his country. This is classically expressed by his access to the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing, as well as his ability to purchase goods and services. The citizen participates in his economy when he has a job.

This is the first election in which unemployment has not been an issue and we feel confident that the Barbadian people will further entrust leadership to an Owen Arthur government that kept true to a promise to create 30,000 jobs and actually succeeded in exceeding that number.

We urge the people of Barbados not to be distracted nor misled by fallacious arguments about democracy and to re-elect a Barbados Labour Party that has in the truest sense of the word honoured the finest democratic traditions. Let us continue on the path of progress.