The political class on both sides of the divide are said to be in upheaval.
The problem they’re having, as Cou Cou was told, relates to rumblings of a third force seeking to emerge and trying to entice sitting members of parliament to their side.
The talk has reportedly caused the leadership on both sides to begin asking more questions and looking over their shoulders to ensure all of their members are still committed to their team.
Cou Cou understands the most worrying aspect of this supposed infiltration is that it is coming from trusted elements within each party – people who could normally be called on to support their respective institution on any matter.
From what is being said, apparently a core group is working feverishly to cherry-pick certain MPs to get them to shift their allegiance to this still embryonic third force and be ready to proudly join its ranks when the time comes.
Cou Cou was told that at present the major effort is being made to woo those from the Opposition, and that’s why the supposed rumblings in the Barbados Labour Party seem to be surfacing. But like-minded elements in the ruling Democratic Labour Party are expected to soon start an active campaign as well.
From what we have gathered, it seems these secretive elements within each party are working to undermine confidence in the parties’ leadership to foster disenchantment among some of the MPs.
In the case of the Bees, they are exploiting the real and perceived cracks in the relationships in that organisation, but the Dems are said to be a tougher nut to crack, given that none of them seem willing to rock the boat and jeopardise the chance of getting a pension.
If what Cou Cou is hearing is true, we’ll have to wait until after February 2016 – when the majority of those eligible for basic pension qualify – to see whether this third force will emerge a vibrant entity or be stillborn.
Hair-raising development
A squad of professional women are anxiously waiting to see a new policy document on how they can wear their hair.
This follows a recent meeting called by the most senior female in their midst to deal with this aspect and other matters.
This boss lady, who was elevated after the political tide swept in new leadership of the organisation, reportedly made it clear that locks are a no-no; so too are weaves.
She supposedly also touched on the manner in which some of these women conducted themselves when in public, and let it be known that she wants them to get back to a level of professionalism that would make the organisation proud.
From what Cou Cou was told, those hearing this boss lady – who some argue is the real decision-maker at the organisation – felt as if they were back in school being told by their headteacher what they can and cannot wear. They did not appreciate it as they are professionals with several years of on-the-job experience.
But what incensed them most, Cou Cou was told, is the preoccupation with locks and the wearing of natural hairstyles by this boss lady.
They are saying that battle was fought and won when Ingrid Quarless fought against the then Holiday Inn Hotel back in the 1980s for this and won, and Cabinet minister Liz Thompson wore corkscrew styles to big-up meetings in the 1990s.
Others Cou Cou spoke with are not as dismissive. They point to a new policy on tattoos that has been causing quite a stir after it was recently circulated to the branches of the organisation. So they see this emphasis on hair and deportment as an extension of a drive to create greater uniformity in the organisation.
