I am grateful for the opportunity to be able, once again, to salute our nation on the attainment of yet another significant milestone in its development as an independent society.
The times in which we live are testing to the fullest, the true meaning of our independence.
More and more we are coming to appreciate that independence does not confer upon us any special rights nor capacity to operate in isolation, or without reference to what is happening around us in the rest of the world.
Rather, it imposes upon us a special duty to take responsibility for our destiny, no matter how trying may be the circumstances in which that destiny is being moulded.
These have indeed been testing times.
Our economy has lurched dangerously on the brink of disaster.
No clear nor discernible path to growth, stability and sustainable development has been revealed by those responsible for governing our affairs.
Public institutions whose functioning is vital to the preservation of stability are now being made to assume roles which will not best serve our national interests.
The debt and fiscal problems with which the country is now confronted go beyond anything that Barbados has had to contend with in living memory. Tinkering will not get the job done.
Their resolution will require sacrifice from all of us, and the bringing to bear of a strong spirit of innovation in the discharge of our public affairs.
We are in danger of falling behind and being left behind.
But we should not despair.
Barbados will prevail.
 For there is no doubt that once they are presented with the image of a path forward in a credible and forthright manner, Barbadians will respond positively and constructively to any challenge that stands in the way of our nation’s progress.
The spirit of our nation must therefore be made to soar again; the resilience and creativity of our people released to move us away from the present brink to the path of progress and prosperity to which we have become accustomed.
 I am convinced, deeply convinced, that despite the encircling gloom, Barbados’ best days are yet to come.
 Today, I fully commit the entire family of the Barbados Labour Party to supporting any initiatives that hold the promise of being able to make life better for our people, and to restoring Barbados to a path of stability, progress and prosperity.
The Lord is still very much the people’s guide; we should therefore entertain no doubts nor fears.
It is in this spirit that I bid you a Happy Independence, and trust that God will continue to bless our fair land, now and forever.
