It has often been said that democracy thrives in a turbulent climate. It should be no different in Barbados but Government, not the political party in office, must recognize that it represents all the people.
This point is often lost on our politicians and it is time that we see a change in the demeanour and attitude, particularly of ministers of Government, when dealing with legitimate public criticism. The reaction often seems like a “plantation” response in new skins.
People are understandably concerned about the state of the economy and it behoves our ministers to respond with candour and decorum concerning the issues that are confronting us. To respond by way of invective practically on every single occasion demeans the office and should not be tolerated.
The escalating national debt, and its concomitant widening deficit, the skyrocketing cost of doing business, collapsing businesses, overtaxation and high utility rates that have combined to render many people hopeless, point to an emerging economic crisis in the country.
So long as there is consensus that the national economy is facing serious challenges, it may be time for Government to look beyond party and constitute a team of experts who have what it takes to help solve the problem. Whenever there is a national crisis, a leader who thinks about his country and the well-being of his people would be prepared to go to every length to get the expertise needed to tackle the problem.
That is what is expected as we have reached the stage in our development where bravado and hubris should not be decoys for relative incompetence. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart probably needs to act now instead of relying on his current Minister of Finance, who may be compounding the problems.
Canada faced a similar problem in the 1980s and 1990s and there were strikes and plummeting morale. Critical services were cut along with marginal ones, and efficiency drives had little impact. The incoming 1993 Liberal government faced huge budget problems but managed to cut the deficit from 9.1 per cent of gross domestic product to zero in five years by working out how to operate government much cheaper – and without increasing taxes.
Canada’s first move was to appoint a minister for public service renewal to drive change. Nothing was off-limits, not even health care. There was a complete review of all government activity with no spending targets as departments tend to spend up to such limits. Some services were privatized.
There was no place to hide from the hard decisions. Pressure was kept up through cabinet retreats at which ministers’ progress was assessed and new targets set. They had to speak with one voice, with no departmental squabbling.
Within three years, Canada’s budget deficit was eliminated and the debt was coming down. Within five years, the size of the civil service had fallen by 23 per cent with no strikes or civil unrest.
This strategy seems appropriate to our situation and Government should adopt it for what it is worth.