Astor B. Watts is regarded as the grandfather in the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). His wise counsel and support through the years have been legendary among the party faithful, going back to the Right Excellent Errol Barrow.
He also gave that counsel to David Thompson; and when Astor B. spoke to the weekend Nation at DLP headquarters where the late Prime Minister’s body lay in state last Monday, he said: “This is a very heartfelt occasion for Astor B. It is an occasion that I would not like to relish, but God knows best and we have to abide by God’s ruling.”
Thompson first caught Watts’ attention as a schoolboy appearing on television debates.
“What caused me to become closely associated with David at that tender age was watching TV an afternoon with a debate between David and Ezra Alleyne, who was the Deputy Speaker of the House.
“The young boy’s deportment, his complete attitude, his command of the English language . . . . To see a youngster at that age . . . sit and be so eloquent on topics as far-reaching as you can wonder!”
The young David’s depth and clarity of thought, his eloquence and knowledge about a wide range of topics impressed Watts.
“I love politics, I love the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow and I love the Democratic Labour Party; so when I came into contact with David in the Young Democrats, I decided this was a young man I would stick with.”
Watts would go across to the party’s headquarters from his nearby Carrington Village home to meetings of the Young Democrats “and after meetings, I would tell him, ‘Now, David, you have a long way to go. Do not divert from the principles of equality for all, and make sure that you spread it far and wide, so that those around you and those following you will be able to imbibe on the principles that you espouse’.”
But it was from a platform mounted by the Young Democrats during an election campaign that he heard the eloquent and fiery young speaker, and Watts predicted this boy would go far.
“I came to the conclusion he is following in the footsteps of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow and if he continues in that vein, he will one day lead this country.”
Watts regards the late Prime Minister as one of the best assistant general secretaries and general secretaries of the DLP. Thompson’s performance in this role Watts said, reminded him of another general secretary who would write minutes as a meeting progressed and have them ready for presentation at the end of the meeting – Errol Walton Barrow.
“David had the attributes of not only being a political leader, but also as a nation leader; and you can see that now that he has passed, and the extensive contribution he has made far and near.”
Sitting in an office at DLP headquarters where he often engaged Thompson in discussion, Watts said: “It hurts my heart when I see him and am not able to touch him. I do not want to see him now that he is gone . . . . I will only sign the condolence book because he was dear to me and I revered him as my son, because anything that went wrong, I would let him know, ‘This is being said about yo u, watch your step . . .’.
“I supported David through thick and thinon all occasions.
“When the rift came about within the party, I said, ‘David, stand your ground. You are going to come out successful, but you have to first put your trust in God.
“When he tendered his resignation and went on to St Lucia, he called me from there and said, ‘Astor B, don’t worry, I am all right, and when I come back I will let you know what happened’.
“I live in a two-bedroom house; I don’t live in a mansion. He came in and sat down; my madam brought a Banks beer for him and he said, ‘I will take your advice and I am not going to get embroiled in what is going on. I am going to take it easy, and as you said, good things will come to those who wait’.”
According to Watts, David waited and returned to head the DLP, leading that party to victory in 2008 and fulfilling his lifelong ambition to be Prime Minister of Barbados.
“But, gone too soon,” said Watts.
“He had plans not only for Families First and his own family, but for the family of Barbados.
“His concept was that if a hungry man gets a feed on a Friday afternoon, he will do three things – he will drink rum, look for a woman (companion) or gamble. But he is happy. Your home will be safe, because he will not plunder [it] because he has something to go by’.
“And David’s policy was to make sure that those at the bottom are taken care of, and if those are taken care of, the others will take care of themselves and the whole community will be at peace with each other.”
At this point Watts broke down, squeezing through the tears this adaptation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s words: “The lives by great men won and kept were not attained by sudden flight. But they while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night.
“David, may you rest in peace,” uttered Astor B. Watts of the boy whom he saw become Prime Minister.
