I AM PROUD TO ADMIT that I, like so many others, have been actively associated with the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) for 50 years and longer. Up to the last three years, many of us have enjoyed every moment of it.
Yes, we have experienced wranglings at every level within the party; disputes that have included from National Hero Sir Grantley Adams to Owen Seymour Arthur and all others between. Sometimes flowery language was used to allow different opinions to be expressed, leaving no doubt in party members’ minds that challenges were being sent out and accepted.
In the midst of these clashes, however, no one ever felt that the longevity and unity of the BLP was at risk. Rather, it strengthened the bonds among comrades.
I must admit that until recently I could fearlessly confront or be confronted by any member of the public, whether Barbados Labour Party or Democratic Labour Party, and comfortably defend my party. I wore with pride the armour of the party, confident in its leadership and its membership.
Unfortunately, I am struggling in a sea of uncertainty as I experience the pending unnecessary, destructive, useless, open to the public, the who-is-greater-than-thou-art, non-productive wars that continue.
Comfortable
The current squabble is one being fought among financially comfortable senior members, not for the masses, but for personal victories and a few not even loyal followers who see a light at the end of a tunnel lit by an obviously incompetent Government, wallowing in the swamp of economic mayhem.
Come on, Barbados Labour Party leadership, are your personal ambitions more important than the future of our country? I hope not. Are you going to allow Barbados to lose the chance to recover with your help from this terminal economic disease because of two people . . .?
Come on, please give me and many other proud Barbadians’ children and grandchildren a chance to survive. We have reached the stage where promoting donkeys and ignoring masses is not an option for people placed in positions of trust!
– DAVID ‘JOEY’ HARPER
