PEOPLE have been asking what’s going on with the resumption of intense activity within the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
They have noticed the BLP’s sharing of its Covenant of Hope two weeks ago at the Foundation School, followed the next Friday by the resumption of the “Rubbing Shoulders” programme.
The clustering of events seems suggestive of political activity that invites attention.
On the Government side, there is the promise of a Budget that hints at additional taxation.
This is in contrast to Government spokesmen promising the building of more infrastructure, including an airport in St Lucy. Even Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is showing tentative signs of awakening from his apparent slumber.
It is all occurring at a time when there is mounting focus on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of independence.
The fight for the attention of the Press is not that even, given the obvious role being played by the lone television station. Thus, the more face time the Opposition engages in with the public, the greater the opportunity of getting its message across.
In politics, the perception of engagement is just as important as the reality. This is what makes the Press so critical, and the politicians know it.
In the face of the recent activity, the political rumblings, even though not yet seismic, are in evidence. Given the season, it is unusual for politicians to be enthusiastic about sparring excessively, especially on the Government side.
Certainly, a Budget containing more taxation would be fodder for calypsonians during the Crop Over season.
Festivities
During a normal year, there would be a window of opportunity for the Opposition to relax as the festivities take precedence. But this is not a typical year, as Government has put in motion year-long celebrations that leave no room for complacency by the Opposition.
Further, this is not a typical year, as calypsonians are no longer the social commentators of yesteryear.
It is not unreasonable to say that the material available to them in recent years has not been exploited in ways demonstrated in the past. As in several areas of endeavour, the emphasis is no longer on the literary quality of the art form, but on the commercial value.
Opposition politicians are, therefore, less able to rely on social commentary to carry the message during the calypso season.
In the circumstances, the Opposition may feel that it has to build on the momentum gathered during the course of the year, which received a very recent boost with the High Court decision rejecting the fingerprinting of Barbadians at the ports of entry.
Politics, they say, is about opportunity and timing. Therefore, the time may be right for the Opposition to feel out the public on its Covenant, with a view to engaging Barbadians on possible policy positions.
Perhaps, one of the unintended consequences of the Covenant is the opportunity to not only hear from the public on the party’s broad philosophical positions, but to get them involved in offering specific initiatives on the several areas of public policy and governance.
On top of the internal rumblings, Brexit is expected to reverberate in ways that are not fully known. This external event may yet have serious implications for our immediate economic prospects and is certain to have future implications. The withdrawal of Britain from the European Union is a matter that demands serious analysis and engagement with the various sectoral interests in the economy and society.
In this regard, 2016 may again not be typical.
The political momentum, which the Opposition seized in the first half of the year, may very well continue into the latter half, notwithstanding the planned events for independence.
The concerns over Brexit will become more apparent with time and the first major test may come during the winter tourism season.
While Barbadians may be expected to be seduced by the euphoria associated with the celebrations for the 50th anniversary, the irony of the mother country divorcing itself from Europe may be cause for serious reflection.
The challenging circumstances that must result from the cluster of unusual events, both internally and externally, present an opportunity for leadership initiatives that are far-reaching.
The resumption of the Opposition’s “Rubbing Shoulders” programme, along with its sharing of the Covenant and Brexit, appear to be a lining up of political stars in an unusual season. It just may be the coming together of events to blunt Government’s year-long programme for independence.
Albert Brandford is an independent political correspondent.
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