Weekly Column

Artillery strategists and political advisors live by the maxim that the best form of defense is attack. Under attack from Barbadians on the failure of his Government to live up to its manifesto promises and the drift that has beset his Cabinet, the Prime Minister used the opportunity of a new audience on yet another overseas trip last weekend to do what he does best – resort to gossip and innuendo in a baseless broadside on members of the former government.

On a weekend when the world’s most important financial market was in turmoil leaving Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors all over the world fearful of the repercussions, our Prime Minister shared no thoughts to allay fears about the possible impact on the Barbadian economy. No words to inspire confidence.

Perhaps we are expecting too much from a man who flourishes in cheap politics. Perhaps we are assuming that thousands of miles away from his speechwriters, our leader would know what to say. What we do know is that if he invested as much effort in the affairs of state as he does in salacious stories, the country would be much better off.

There is a strange, almost perverse disengagement on the part of the Prime Minister in Parliament and at various meetings. This fact has been observed by several people with whom he has come into contact – some who know him well, some who are meeting him for the first time. They have joined us in concluding that this Prime Minister cares little about the image of the country he leads. They have also quickly concluded that our Prime Minister has nothing intelligent, original or thoughtful to offer this country in the context of his leadership.

The severity of the Prime Minister‘s offensive outburst in Canada is astonishing. It took place in a jurisdiction which is extremely critical to Barbados as a financial, trade, and development partner. A substantial percentage of our international business receipts comes from Canada, as indeed does a substantial percentage of our tourism. Why on earth would any responsible Barbadian therefore, want to choose that jurisdiction as the place to besmirch Barbados’ image and its reputation of financial propriety. What on earth could our Prime Minister have hoped to achieve by his reckless display? Did he hope to lend another verse to Chalkie’s “…people laughing at we”? Or is it that our Prime Minister is too blissfully disinterested and disengaged to realize that his vile comments could have the effect of provoking already panic-stricken and anxious markets to react negatively to our sensitive offshore sector. And to boot, allegations without a shred f evidence being supplied.

Beyond the Prime Minister’s irresponsibility lies the worrisome issue of the absence of leadership in this island. Wall street is currently facing its deepest crisis since the great depression. The implications of this financial tsunami for America and countries like ours which are closely linked to that economy are horrific. Our Prime Minister has offered neither ideas nor policy perspectives. We believe that Barbados deserves better.

We also believe that our public deserves an explanation for the continued domestic policy failings that are stifling growth in our economy. We need to know why despite gasoline and diesel prices having been reduced across the Eastern Caribbean, they continue to be sky-high in Barbados. We need to know why, despite the Opposition’s continued calls for a targeted stimulus package for the economy and for a Wages and Pensions Fund to shield the more vulnerable of our citizens, the government has done nothing. We also need to know why the government failed to disclose the fact that 3000 citizens have lost their jobs. Now that this matter has been brought to light, we need to know what policy will be implemented to stem the haemorrhage of jobs.

Governance Prime Minister, is not about smear campaigns.

The low and easy road might get you into office but the low and easy road cannot guide governance.