THE ATTEMPTS by the Barbados Labour Party to stir the emotions of the Barbadian voter on the eve of a general election have fallen flat.
The boycott actions by the Arthur-led opposition party should be interpreted for what they were intended. The Barbados Labour Party outlines a false premise for not reporting for duty and asks for sympathy. The mimicking of the actions by the BLP of the then Opposition 2007 walkout led by the late David Thompson is not the same.
At that time the charge against how the Speaker was meting out treatment to the members of the DLP was clear and present. The new found voice of the Deputy Opposition Leader, who follows the instruction of his anti Mia team leader Arthur, must also be put into context. The Opposition Leader opted not to issue the statement of boycott and withdrawal. Instead, he sent Dale Marshall who is never competent enough to respond to a Budget reply or usually represent the BLP in public. Marshall’s role in the team is clear. He is viewed as the political back stopper whose dreams of leading have all but faded.
Arthur, on the other hand, has lost all moral authority to speak to the public on attending Parliament. His prolonged absence from the national debates of significance should define in the minds of Barbadians where his priorities now rest. Arthur’s road to high office is with no prisoners. The return to office was done at the expense and pleasure of the public humiliation of his former leader Mia Mottley. He also drew strength from the possibility of an implosion of the DLP upon the death of our late Leader David Thompson. The implosion never took place so Arthur found himself in a quandary of having to pretend he cares for poor people. He doesn’t participate in any meaningful way on matters of social policy discussed in or out of Parliament.
What is driving this desire? The quest for power and access to power has so intoxicated the Opposition Leader that he has even spoken in public of a second coming. He has so extended his political quest to the point that make-believe good relationships have been foisted on the voting public. We on this side are not convinced of this amicable relationship between Mia and Owen. We are also aware that George Payne and Owen Arthur continue to be at loggerheads. We even know why Duguid is leaving and how happy Owen is to see him go. Furthermore, Cynthia Forde has already been publicly described as chattel sitting on prime real estate but refuses to go, while Toppin can’t wait to see the back of his leader.
With all the drama on the other side, we on this side continue to conduct the business of the people. The people of Barbados will soon have a spanking new health care facility in St John. Those applying at the NHC will continue to have relief in the form of allocations of newly constructed units at Forde’s Road, Valery and Lancaster. The completion of the annex at the SJJP will allow for an expansion in enrolment of at least 500 students. The residents of the Briar Hall and surrounding districts will have a new hard court with lights to allow for night sports. We are fully aware of responsibility and accepted it in 2008.
On the 11th of February, 2013, our parliamentary life will come to an end and that will be honoured. However, we stand ready with the support of the people of Barbados to continue the work started in the severest of times. Let the upcoming election be a call to ensure the good work of the DLP under the stewardship of Freundel Stuart is completed. Boycott the Bees and vote Dems for a better Barbados.
• Douglas Leopold Phillips is a pseudonym for the Democratic Labour Party.
