TWO leading political scientists do not believe recent public threats by Minister of Agriculture Dr David Estwick to speak out on Barbados’ future should be taken seriously.
Pollster Peter Wickham described Estwick’s comments as simply a repeat of previous rants, while university lecturer Professor George Belle said the St Philip West MP’s statement appears not to signal anything.
“He deliberately structured the thing [statement] in terms of rhetorical questions, as you would notice and that is because he was playing safe,” Belle said.
“And the other thing that one would ask is if it is not that he has something relevant to say in relation to the present political moment, then what is he leveraging? Because if it is a leverage in relation to his own party, what could be given at this stage that would change the situation for his party. It doesn’t seem to signal anything,” he added.
Wickham pointed out that this was not the first time Estwick had made similar comments.
“Frankly, I don’t expect anything out of this and I think if Dr Estwick had any intention of taking action that has serious political consequences for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) he would take it — he wouldn’t threaten to take it.”
He is not expecting Estwick to do anything major.
“This is Dr Estwick being himself again. I don’t expect anything major or catastrophic to happen.”
However, Belle still questions the significance of Estwick’s statement at this time.
“The significant thing is the extent to which the Barbadian populace has been aroused about the policies and the intent of the impending lay-off of the significant number of public servants.
“That is what is significant,” Belle contended.
Estwick’s comments Wednesday sparked speculation that he might be at odds with Government’s proposals for dealing with the economic woes facing the country. (TS)
