The people of Barbados can reflect with pride at the strides our tiny nation has made.
In 1966, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) team led a nation of people from the corridors of the Colonial Office into the halls of Independence. This process was not without opposition from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP). Now, 46 years later, the BLP team is still opposing progressive thinking policy ideas.
The role of a mature political party must be to put Barbados first. It is within this context that all Barbadians must put Barbados first as we continue to make our mark on the global landscape.
Today, Barbados is faced with a recession it did not create and has done well under the circumstances. The responsibility of governing falls to the DLP and we have responded by placing the needs of people first.
The record of history during our 46th year of independence will be kind to a small nation that has become the model of political and economic stability. These Barbadian characteristics are what continue to allow us to navigate the economic downturn that haunts the globe.
A scan of world affairs would reveal that the social safety net has given away in parts of Europe and Britain. The unemployment rate among our neighbours continues to soar as we tighten our belts in dispensing our fiscal responsibilities. The very calculated and disciplined approach has been castigated by the Opposition at a time when we are asking Barbadians to think about the consequences of reckless policies. The calls by the Opposition to widen the fiscal deficit and increase debt have reminded Barbadians of what defines opposition politics.
Our macroeconomic stability and the maintenance of the parity of the dollar continue to confuse the BLP pundits who seem only to rejoice at bad news. Barbadians have come to appreciate that reckless policies and fiscal irresponsibility have placed us in this position. We continue to acknowledge that Barbados is more than a society and so we plan an agenda which places the Barbadian at the centre. The single act of ensuring that public servants are not sent home has annoyed the Opposition. The idea of privatization on the eve of Independence smacks of betrayal of every reason we sought our independent status.
The sovereignty of the nation contributes to the values that its citizens inculcate in their hearts and minds. The symbols of pride and industry which we proudly display form part of the psyche of the Barbadian.
The evolution of the Barbadian ethos was not without sacrifice. Our people have truly toiled to ensure ownership of these fields and hills. The Government speaks to these issues through the people who give them voice. Our people continue to be our greatest asset.
The Government’s ownership of social amenities, which were once out of reach of the Barbadian in the past, is now a reality. Barbadians must never be allowed to feel that the journey has been betrayed by a few in the political class who engage in expediency to fill the eyes of the international institutions.
On Sunday, December 2, the DLP will celebrate Barbados by hosting a public rally at St Leonard’s Boys’ School. Party Leader and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart will deliver a feature address. Our Party leader has led. Barbadians, for the love of country, let us rally around our flag and secure our future by putting Barbados first.
Happy Independence, Barbados!
• Douglas Leopold Phillips is a pseudonym for the Democratic Labour Party.
