Is A Moral Renaissance Or Integrity Legislation Required in Barbados Politics?

Submitted by Yardbroom

Events in recent years have led to the belief among some Barbadians, that all politicians are corrupt, dishonest and cannot be trusted. There are many, particularly the young who say quite openly, that Barbadian politicians have no regard for ordinary citizens, and are only interested in politics as a means to acquire great wealth. That some Barbadians feel this way is sad, but of particular concern is the number of young people who have this entrenched opinion.

To be fair, I have no evidence that the majority of Barbados politicians are dishonest and corrupt. However, in a small island supposedly secret transactions are not so for long, people do talk, and their friends have friends, what started off as a secret is soon common knowledge. The other problem is the display of ostentatious wealth. One can easily ask, how is it that someone who was recently so poor is now a man/woman of immense wealth. This does not mean the individual is dishonest or corrupt, but people think – sometimes without reasonable justification – even if they do not ask questions. The disappointing aspect of this scenario is the popular belief, that all people are corrupt and dishonest, politicians are only an extension of general society.

It is only the lack of opportunity which prevents these character traits from becoming manifest in all of us. Perhaps I am like a lone dog barking on the top of Cherry Tree Hill, but I do not subscribe to the popular view that all politicians are either dishonest or corrupt, and by extension the general public. Over time a climate has developed, in which previously honest people have been corrupted by a system that operates in Barbados. You might ask what is this system? Some people make it their business to surreptitiously corrupt politicians, who have control of the levers of power. They prey on a weakness for wealth and the desire for supposedly higher class social interaction. In a small society where all the main players are known to each other, and often have to interact on a professional basis outside politics.

The divisions between professional, social and political relationships can sometimes become blurred. As a result actions are taken which do not have the core of honesty that they should. There is a need for present day politicians to reclaim the trust of the people. There was a time when people became involved in politics in Barbados, because they genuinely wanted to help fellow Barbadians, Is this the case now? I will allow others to make that judgment. What I do know is that the attitude of former school head teachers in Barbados – a good model is the late Head Master of St Giles Boys School Mr. Cumberbatch – is sadly lacking in politics.

You do not have to be a multi-millionaire to have made a success of your life. There was a time when Head Masters in Barbados schools – perhaps they still do – took it upon themselves to treat their pupils as they would their own children. They wanted to inculcate in them manners and discipline, underpinned by the opportunity of a good education. Those head masters were not apart from society, they were a part of the whole, they were a significant part of it. Perhaps the morality we once had is gone never to return, but I do not believe all politicians are corrupt and dishonest, some just might be. However, among our sons and daughters there just might be a few who can tread that path of honesty and integrity free of corruption. It might be wise not to jettison “all” politicians there might just be a few nuggets of gold waiting to shine. Perhaps it might be “moral character” we need – in politics – even more than Integrity Legislation.