“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
It is entirely understandable that across Barbados people are becoming uneasy regarding our economic situation, as the global environment that feeds our economy is growing worse.
Against this background, the recent speech of Minister of Finance Christopher Sinckler was timely. It is difficult to summarize his presentation in a few lines, however, the gist of his position appears to be that “his” Government understands the problem, knows what it needs to do and will (in due course) take the necessary action to remedy any economic shortcomings.
In addition, we can also take some comfort in the fact that the minister has also (to some extent) taken ownership of this crisis, which was perhaps unwise since the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government has hitherto resisted taking ownership.
Critics of the DLP administration have understandably not been satisfied with the Minister’s response.
Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley’s “cotton candy” analogy could be considered a kind assessment of a statement that admitted too much that was wrong but said little about how it would be fixed. As amusing as her analogy is, it speaks volumes about the peculiarity of this political scenario and the implications of the DLP’s victory in the last election.
The minister appears to think that his critics want him to “fight an election” all over again. However, to my mind, the clear message in the public’s criticism is the concern that this Government needs to “get cracking”. As he correctly said, and certainly as I have said repeatedly, the election is over, the battle has been won – the people have spoken and reposed confidence in the DLP . . . . Matter closed!
There is, however, a fundamental difference between the election battle and the matter of governance and it is at this point that one needs to seriously reflect on the applicability of the “cotton candy” reference. Cotton candy is known for being very sweet but not particularity substantive, and for this reason it is popular at events where the sweet taste is applicable, although one would never consider it for a meal.
The Leader of the Opposition, therefore, seems to be saying the party is over and now it is time for the “main course”, which is a position few can find issue with.
If, therefore, we agree that it is time for the main course to begin, the next logical question relates to the ingredients or shape Government’s action will take, and this too, is an issue about which there can be much speculation.
Certainly, the DLP administration has circumscribed its likely action by making it “pellucid” that it will not be sending home public servants now, or in the future. This is a policy position articulated by late Prime Minister David Thompson and reiterated by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and reinforced by the minister, even in the face of recent suggestions by one trade unionist that Government was preparing the “turf” for a wave of dismissals.
There will be presumably equal comfort in the presumption that the DLP Government’s solution to this economic crisis will not include any significant component of privatization, since that too, was soundly rejected by the party in the last election campaign. The fact that the Dems won the election, therefore, means this position has been endorsed and we can rest easily in the knowledge that the “demon” of privatization has been set aside for the time being.
The admission that our deficit is a problem is not particularly helpful without an indication of the manner in which this problem will be approached, especially as the two logical facilities to address it have been effectively “ruled out”. I am also inclined to think that problems such as these are easier to tackle when one is proactive, hence, it would make sense to take action sooner rather than later.
I am, however, aware that this is not about what I think or feel, but about the confidence the people of this country have placed in the DLP and its leadership.
This vote of confidence means that we all have to sit quietly and wait until the time when this administration considers it appropriate to act.
• Peter W. Wickham ([email protected]) is a political consultant and a director of Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES).
