Anyone who has evidence of vote buying in Barbados should speak up so guilty people can be brought to justice.
And the newest Archbishop of Port of Spain, Jason Gordon, is prepared to lead by example.
“If I ever saw someone paying for a vote, I would be happy to say that I saw it, and I think anyone who has that information should as a good citizen, give that information to those who can hold people accountable,” Gordon told members of the Rotary Club of Barbados at a luncheon at the Hilton Barbados resort yesterday.
“And part of integrity in the country is promoting that anyone who sees anything that falls short of integrity, that they say so to the people who have the power to do something about it.
“I haven’t seen, but I have heard people who have heard of people who have seen; that’s too remote. I haven’t seen, so all I can do is say what I have heard, I can’t say that it is,” he added.
His comments have come as the country gears up for elections, which are constitutionally due in 2018.
Speaking on the theme Integrity: Reclaiming The Soul Of The Nation, Gordon said if people were guilty of such an offence they should be prosecuted.
“Where we fall short is by not digging to the depths and finding the evidence and convicting the people who are crossing the line. That’s really where we fall short,” he said to rapturous applause.
Gordon, who had been the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgetown from 2011, further likened corruption to theft.
“…Every act of corruption is stealing from the poor and vulnerable. To misuse public funds is stealing from the poor and vulnerable. To pay a bribe is also stealing from the poor and vulnerable. It undermines fairness in public life and most often ensures the job costs more than it should to taxpayers.
“Buying votes is stealing from the poor and vulnerable. Why you may ask? Well he who pays the piper called the tune. I certainly hope none of this applies to Barbados,” Gordon insisted. (RB)