We wish we were not the ones who have to say - we told you so, but it is our constitutional duty to let the people of Barbados know that the Democratic Labour Party is in a mess and that it is overwhelmed by the level of confusion it has created since January 15th, as well as by the mess it continues to create daily. That is the source of its consternation. The DLP is finding out that it is easy to criticize and make promises when in Opposition but difficult to deliver when in government. It is even more difficult when those promises were unrealistic from the outset, and especially when you are being dictated to from Washington by the IMF.

The former administration was accused of corruption. Yet, after eight month in office, this government cannot show, even its supporters, a smoking gun; neither can it produce the evidence to support its wild allegation of cost overruns. This is a credibility crisis. As an excuse, the people of Barbados are now hearing about “due process” and “file gone missing.” Even die-hard Dems are shaking their head in disbelief that such lame excuses and distraction tactics are being used by their government, which promised “change.”

Barbadians are aware that this government hinged its credibility on it being able to deliver certain things within a time frame, while also being able to reduce the national debt and show evidence of corruption and excessive cost overruns. It is now clear even to DLP supporters that all of that was nothing more than trademark DLP false alarms and false promises. There is a well known Bajan adage: when your own dog bites you, you are well bitten.

The Dems are asking their government to explain why is it not delivering on its many promises. This seems reasonable. After all, this government promised to be accountable. It gave the assurance that it will not keep any secrets from the people of Barbados and that it will let them know what it is doing on their behalf. The people are therefore asking questions because there is no evidence of this government doing anything except complaining and making lame excuses.

Having wandered in the political wilderness for fourteen years, party supporters realize that the non performance of the DLP raises serious questions about its justification to continue occupying that prime real estate at Bay Street. The Dems are also haunted by Wickham’s one-term prediction. That explains why party faithful are pushing for their tickets to the buffet, in order to get their fill of the fatted calf, before time runs out. When in Opposition, the DLP gave the impression that it would have been a perfect government, which would have all the answers. Supporters and card carrying members of the DLP are now concerned that the DLP does not know what it is doing.

The Barbados Labour Party will not remain silent while Barbadians are being forced to choose whether to buy food or pay their rent/mortgage. If they buy food, they run the risk of being evicted, yet if they pay the rent, there is the likelihood of starvation. There was a time when many Barbadians could have gone to the village shop and get a few items on credit. Unfortunately, that widow has been slammed shut because this government has increased the license fee to operate – from $650 to $1,000 per year.

This government is also making it extremely difficult for single mothers. For the first time in years, many of them are struggling to survive and send our children to school. Middle class women are working harder but are taking home less because this government is taking more money out of their pockets in taxes. Instead of addressing serious issues, such as the high cost of living and increasing taxation, which are of major concern to the people of this country, this government is busy trying desperately to gift-wrap air.

Surely the DLP must be concerned that under its watch, the quality of life in this country has deteriorated rapidly within its first eight months in office! The DLP should also be aware that because of its conduct, Barbados no longer stands tall within the region. On the domestic front, there is low morale within the public service, caused in part by arrogance on the part of elected and selected DLP political operatives; willy-nilly dismissals and allegation by the DLP, that public officers are passing government files to unauthorized sources.

Crime is on the increase, so too is poverty and unemployment. Prices keep going up and out of the reach of most Barbadians. The cost of living has gone through the roof, Barbadians are paying through their teeth because of high taxes, while the government continues to make new promises it will not keep. This is the legacy of the Democratic Labour Party.

This government will remain mute on the $25,000 it promised to assign to each Magistrate’ Court - so that even if fathers do not put down a cent - mothers will still get child support. The DLP will remain insensitive to the fact that women have to struggle for respect and equality, as well as to make ends meet each month. Nothing will change because, “the DLP is in a mess and instead of fixing that problem, it is busy looking around for someone to blame for its predicament, while being careful not to offend the IMF.”

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