David Estwick – Minister of Agriculture
Last week the Nation newspaper ran the results of a poll which promotes that Barbadians prefer Sinckler and Mottley to be named as deputies. BU is against opinion journalism. Conduct a poll which addresses the need to amend to party constitutions. How about how Barbadians feel about campaign financing reform legislation. The list is long about worthwhile issues which could have been polled. However we appreciate such topics will not ‘sell’ newspapers.
We all know that it is the person who commands the confidence and support of the parliamentary majority in parliament that count NOT the public. Currently the Barbados Labour Party has named Dale Marshall as deputy and what? It is in name only if one were to judge by job assignments. Mottley appears to be acting out the role as deputy. But who will get the nod as Prime Minister on the morning after? Does anyone believe Arthur will appoint the George Walton Chambers man as deputy prime minister were he to win the next general election? Who knows, Mottley may emerge, AGAIN! Another BU belief is that leaders emerge. There seem to be an unholy haste to elevate Sinckler et al to the top post.
Getting back to the Nation/Cadres poll last week. How is it possible for the public to prefer Ronald Jones over someone like David Estwick? Jones has been at the centre of the Alexandra School dispute and has been fingered as the person who by sitting on the King Report exacerbated the matter. His tenure as President of the Barbados Football Association should does not recommend him as a leader of any merit. The analysis is not to promote Estwick over Jones but to examine the folly of the opinion poll in this instance.
BU believes that David Estwick is the person who can make or break the DLP in the coming general election. He is a dynamic platform speaker, appears to command a level of intelligence which is superior to many of the 30 candidates on offer. All are aware of his brusque behaviour which has run him afoul of the late Prime Minister David Thompson – and Dale Marshall - which many believe banished him to peripheral ministries. It has continued under Stuart. The Letter leaked which instructed BWA personnel not to attend meeting convened by Minister Sinckler is an example of Estwick’s ‘maverick’ ways.
It is a few months to go before a general election is constitutionally due in Barbados and BU continues to observe David Estwick to see how the famous pronouncement by him ‘time longer than twine’ will unravel. One wonders if a lot of the agro in the party does not stem from the period during the the last government when Dr. Estwick was the Secretary of the DLP and the Deputy Opposition leader to then Leader of the Opposition Clyde Mascoll and an attempt was made by then David Thompson and his cohorts to take over all the leadership positions of the party (Leader of the Opposition, Political Leader, President). The alienation of Estwick in the DLP maybe explained against this background. It is interesting to note the work rate of Estwick when he was Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce.
BU recently reread the statement Estwick delivered after the final reshuffle by the late PM Thompson. In light of the government’s economic policy AND recent events it makes for compelling reading:
Let me first thank the people of St Philip West for electing me as their Representative for two consecutive terms in the House of Assembly. Let me also thank Prime Minister Thompson for the opportunity to have served as Minister of Health between January 2008 to December 2008 and from December 2009 to October 4th as the Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce.
I would like to assure Barbadians that I hold no animosity to anyone, and I would like to clear up any misconceptions which might be at this time in the public domain.
Although it might seem that I have been given the bad end of the stick it is my belief that I have been chosen by the Almighty, and my constituents of St Phillip West to work on behalf of this country. My mother always said: time longer than twine and that the race is not for the swift but is for he that endureth. I am resilient and will endure. However, under these circumstances I hereby tender my resignation from the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Economic policy to allow for the Prime Minister to so appoint a new Chair.
Well-wishers, constituents of St Philip West, and people of Barbados I would like to thank you for your continued support. I would like to tell you that no person is bigger than the Democratic Labour Party, and no party is bigger than our beloved country, Barbados.
Hence, I would like to thank the Right Honourable Prime Minister David Thompson for all the opportunities he has given me to serve, and under any circumstances, I am willing to serve the people of Barbados in whatever capacity as a member of cabinet under his leadership. I would like to inform him that with great humility, I accept the position given to me at this time of Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Industry and Small Business. Before I demit the office of the Minister of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Empowerment, Trade, Industry and Commerce. I would like to give an account of my stewardship to the people of Barbados in the capacity of Minister of Economic affairs and as the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy which advised the Cabinet on all economic policy matters.
This has become necessary after some misguided political pundits questioned the output of the Ministry of Economic Affairs recently in the public domain and I think that it is my duty to defend my stewardship in the same domain.
During my tenure as Minister of Economic Affairs, I was asked to undertake duties in addition to the normal economic activities of the Ministry.
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I was asked to join the Central Bank’s Committee of Chief Economic planners, that meets at the Central Bank Governor’s home every two weeks.
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Implement and Monitoring of the Short term Response to the Economic Crisis developed by the Special Working Group headed by Winston Cox.
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To create, implement and monitor the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy.
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Resurrect the Natural Gas Pipe Line project between Barbados and Trinidad which was stalled since 2002. We are now in our 7th negotiating meeting.
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To create and implement an Early Warning Economic System that was a Budget proposal of 2009. The Early Warning System was launched on the 27th of September 2010.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy advances the output of the Joint Economic Committee Group established by Prime Minister Thompson in response to the economic crisis.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy advances the output of the Council of Economic Advisors.
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To create and devise a strategy for the implementation of the 40% procurement policy to Small Business as a Manifesto pledge. This strategy was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy and Approved by the Cabinet and is now with the Solicitor General’s office for final adjustment.
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To take responsibility for the Barbados Port Inc’s Cruise Ship Project. The project is at the stage of RFPs.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic policy created and piloted through Cabinet the NIS Jobs stabilization strategy.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic policy created and piloted through Cabinet the extensions to the unemployment benefit strategy.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy created and piloted through Cabinet the Job Retraining Strategy.
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The Budget of 2009 required me to create a State Trading Enterprise, the final draft is completed.
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To develop an integrated cotton industry. The Ministry of Economic Affairs piloted through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy and to the Cabinet an agreement to enter a joint venture with producers and marketers of Barbados’ Sea Island Cotton.
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Let me also note that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy has approved more than 150 economic papers since December 2009. For edification purposes: let me inform you that any policies that have impact on the productive sectors of the economy are referred to the Cabinet Committee on economic policy.
The above record is proof of the output from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and I want to take this opportunity to thank the Permanent Secretaries in Trade and Economic Affairs and all the staff of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce for their hard work and their commitment to working with me.
Four weeks ago, as Minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs I presented a paper to cabinet to make adjustments to the medium term fiscal strategy in light of the prolonged recession in Europe and the slow growth in the United States. The thrust of the Cabinet paper was to high-light that the strategy of expenditure cuts and revenue gains through increased efficiency, would not be enough to have the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy (MTFS) achieve its macroeconomic targets and that further cuts in the Current Account Expenditure in the areas of goods and services would be counter productive.
Barbados has a very heavy debt burden. We now pay $981 million BDS per year from a-revenue of $2.4 billion BDS. This is the key to the continued underdevelopment of the country. I suggested that we introduce a debt restructuring program to take advantage of the very low international interest rates being offered on Country to Country loans and Private Sector Loans. The proposal from Economic Affairs highlighted that we could realize a savings of $541 million dollars per year for 25 years if my recommendation is followed by interest rate savings as well as principle savings. This Strategy would achieve the targets in the MTFS by 2012 and show a healthy surplus on the fiscal balance by 2014 and reduce the Debt/GDP ratio to 66% of GDP by 2014.
I would like to wish my colleague Minister Sinckler, all that is good, and that he in his new capacity of Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, adopt the measures which I have presented to cabinet…for these measures I am sure would restore Barbados’ economic balance and reestablish Barbados’ international investment grade to A instead of a negative outlook.
My constituents have sent me to parliament to look after their interests, especially, and I take this opportunity to restate my commitment to St. Phillip West and to all Barbadians.
Owen was now refered to as ,”a political pickpocket” by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Stuart aint easy
Can the Nation tell if it is true that Owen Arthur decline the invitation.
Carson dear-heart, how you? Parro politics… murdah, yuh gine kill muh! Murdah!! Don’t mind de BLP pimps pon here like old bingo bags and dem. I gine see you at de randy-view of victory dear-heart!
David wrote, ” It is good for the DLP to appear to be energizing the base.”
The energy levels are rising even here on BU.
David
I think you jump in too early to defend the Nation Newspaper re the invitation.The Prime Minister story cast a different light on the invitation.Again it looks like Kaymar came up short.
@Clone
We have heard one side. Let us hear how Arthur and Mottley respond. There is nothing wrong with the Talkback Forum. They have had them in the past and Inniss in one instance attended.
An interesting titbit by the PM was that after the lecture on Wednesday night he pick a lime at a karaoke hangout with Speaker Michael Carrington and David Estwick.
The Nation Newspaper is owned by Trinidadians. It is in the interest of Trinidadians that a recession in Barbados coincides with a “friendly” Government.
The Trinis love Owen.
Trinidadians will buy up property and businesses at recessionary prices and the BLP leader has stated that land should be put to it’s best use.
Mansions, Hotels, Golf courses and Banks….oops. uh fuhget. duh en got nuh mo uh dem to sell.
I had a friend who is no longer with us who may have looked boring but get him out of the house and he was fun to be with. The Prime Minister may just be that kind of person
David
Owen Arthur behavior during his last five years will come back to haunt him. Tonight the DLP showed that he will get licks left, right and center.
Bajans love bacchanal politics and so all of those polls will not stop them from wanting juicy gossip at every meeting.
if wunna think that i cuss OSA boy the PM didn’t show him no mercy and rightfully so, as for the nation i believe what the PMsays over any thing the nation print the difference is CLASS( PM) and CRASS(NATION) he also was able to give a good account for the four years in office and point to the legacy of other PM in Barbados and with all the time OSA had as PM there is not one piece of legislation that can be attributed to the BLP or OSA that would have a longstanding effect for the nation and its people and can be defined as a legacy to OSA .there are no adjectives that can describe OSA that would define him in the correct manner, this man has brought barbados to the economic doldrums and it is sad to see intelligent people willing to give him another chance to SELL off the few remaining assets of barbados to pay the high debt he placed on this country .
Showmanship appeals only to people who need to be entertained. Our future deserves better than this .. two idiot parties foisting their stupid antics on a (depraved?) public …
@ David
The tragedy is that after the elections, OSA will have no legacy whatsoever.
I understand that the PM, Carrington and Estwick are quite comfortable in each others company and have a few drinks quite often.
Is the plan to have PM Stuart take on Owen and Estwick to take on Mottley?
Sinckler will not and more importantly cannot match Mottley, they being very good friends.
@Mr. Paper-Mate
It is evident Stuart has some semblance of a strategy and it is a simple one, take out Arthur.
@ David
Anyone who has met Stuart cannot say he comes across as a fool. Deliberate yes, reserved yes but foolish absolutely not.
Hence Stuart has done is what all good lawyers do before a case reaches trial. They gather the facts, the evidence,sets the strategy and then prepares, prepares, prepares.
The danger for PM Stuart and the DLP is not going beyond the tipping point as OSA is after all a elder statesman in Barbados and there is only so much the electorate will be prepared to have put into the public less the whole system be undermined.
“The hall at the School is full with approximately 1,000 people and there is standing room only outside for and with another 500 people. The car park has been completely full since 5.30 this afternnon and cars are parked pass Husbands and down towards Holders Hill”
that place had no more than 400 people if so much but keep up the good work DLP.
many times the PM said that he was not worried about the BLP having all those meetings and described them to a one horse race. now one can see from the meeting tonight what he meant he knew full well that at some point and time the horse would get tired and when the starting day came the horse would have to run the course all over again bunch of fools . FS not a dummy, Now the time has come and the BLP got to start all over again with another strategy to counteract any and all charges coming forward in the weeks and months against them it will be gruelling and tiresome for them as they have already run the course all by themselves
“OSA is after all a elder statesman in Barbados”
What elder statesman?
Stuart was in politics since the late sixties
PARRO POLITICS
The people of Barbados will be hearing a lot about this over the coming months.
The Barbados Labour Labour Party wants to run the country like PARROS.
Give us twenty dollars fuh de Airport, a ten spot fuh de Transport Board,
We need to get a fix.
The DLP strive on Lies
Please do not believe anything the DLP tells you
@ Jan Jan
The Froon come out swinging. He call OSA a political pickpocket and Kerry as political slug repleat with slime.
This is just the rhetoric but good God have mercy when they unleash the facts and evidence.
Wait David, tell me something cause I am not living in Barbados and my work does not allow me to follow our home politics as much as I would like. This fellow Chris Sinckler, that clearly quite a few of your bloggers do seem to think to much of, is this the same chap that said in the interview with one of your papers that he is not interested in leading his party or bring PM…..now or in the future?
If that is what he said in a public newspaper, why is there so apparent interest in him on your blog. I rather like the chap Estwick, I think he would be a good leader. Of course I am not there and can only write from what I have observed from this distance, but he seems pretty intelligent. I have not heard about a whole lot he has achieved as a minister, especially in agriculture but I feel he will do well enough in time if given a chance.
But your bloggers seem overly occupied with someone whom they say is unintelligent, out of his depth, not liked by too many in the country and seems a total clown to them.
So I am just wondering why a post on Mr. Estwick turns into an attack on the chap Sinckler. Seems rather strange for someone who seems a totally bum. So much so that your bloggers even seem to be saying that the polling guy , Wickham doctored his poll findings to make Sinckler appear more popular than the others. Local politics are weird.
@David John
You should not worry, it is the silly season. Truth be told many of the ministers do not have any significant track record.
@ The Guide | October 15, 2012 at 11:38 AM |
“This is just the rhetoric but good God have mercy when they unleash the facts and evidence.”
Instead of engaging in gossip and political grandstanding on the elections platform why not pass the “facts and evidence” to the Police and DPP?
Any arrest of accused wrongdoers would really put the Integrity cat (in the DLP, case mongoose) among the alleged Corrupt BLP pigeons and yard fowls. You will certainly scatter them and seal your return to government. But just remember the laws are geared to lock up civil servants and not politicians; the same civil servants serving the present administration and even the quisling in the Cabinet.
While you are gathering the facts and evidence take a look at the CLICO forensic file and see if the DLP leader is not keeping facts and evidence under raps to protect his leper friend and once financial party backer Leroy P from the long arm of the law. This man is known to have a laundry of dirty financial evidence against the DLP and its immediate past leader. We are sure you would not like to see the DLP dirty laundry washed in public. The leper friend might just squeal like a pig when poked in his rear end with a very long hot iron to be branded as a super grass extraordinaire since his days have already been counted just waiting to join his friend like Romeo and Julietta or like a modern day Paul & Paula.
We don’t expect the likes of Leroy to face man-made justice in Bim but will follow his other intimate pal decomposing in the St. John Parish Church yard along with those who have been rather cosy socially and otherwise including trophy wives make believe spouses.
From what you have written so far we are sure you won’t want to introduce Cammie Tudor the Tutor and his most favoured student in the early days.
Word of advice: It will be more beneficial to informed debate to discuss issues like what we have to do to stave off a pending devaluation and the removal of the aspiring middle class from our society. If not, we can continue the discussion in the gutter where you started, rhetorically speaking.
We now know what the PM spends his day doing, instead of doing the people’s business – digging for dirt to use on a political platform.
But there is a simple defense against scurrilous attacks; just look at Owen’s lifestyle over the years. Nothing has changed much since 1994.
What’s amusing is that while insinuating that the former PM has benefited from graft and corruption, in the same breath Freundel is suggesting that he (Owen) is/was suffering because his pension is/was too low. Talk about destroying your own argument!
Fodder for the political yard fowls, indeed.
Of course, Freundel is really looking out for himself post election – 100% pension.
More importantly, Bajans will not be distracted from the problems they are facing in their daily lives. It cannot be gainsaid that our economy has been severely buffeted by the “Great Recession”; but neither can it be denied that this government was unprepared, primarily because it chose to believe its own rhetoric about building a society rather than an economy.
The government was on the back foot from day one; that is why we keep sliding. What an indignity to be forced to agree to “comprehensively restructure” (in plain words, “cut back”) the civil service in order to secure a meagre US $33 million loan. Things looking real brown.
They have done some good, but on balance, there is just too much suffering with no end in sight. Hopefully, a new BLP government can take some earlier steps to alleviate some of the burden (energy pricing, taxation) as they set about the long, arduous and unenviable task of restoring this country to some semblance of fiscal and economic health.
But things will continue to be rough for the next three to four years, at least.
DavidB | October 15, 2012 at 5:39 PM |
Get over it everything that was said was the gospel truth.
Lot more to come.
Remember I told you all some time ago that some files will be opened publicly, just hold tight.
millertheanunnaki(neither Bnor D)
We are going to rinse you all out.
millertheanunnaki(neitherBnorD)
Yuh PARRO!!!!
@ Carson C. Cadogan | October 15, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Ask David BU who is the author of that phrase and you can then look into the mirror a see the reflection of a true “paro” parading as a yard fowl.
Which files y u are talking about? The FBI missing files? The Hardwood forensic audit file? The Auditor general files on the BWA fraud perpetuate by an illegally appointed Executive Chairman? The CLICO forensic audit file that costing the policyholders in excess of $15 million? What about the AX Inquiry file costing so far $600,000 but estimated to exceed $1 million?
@ Carson
You really get off on political mudslinging though. You’re like a cat in a catnip factory.
@ Carson
Tell us about the 100% pension thing. Your boy seems very confident he will come up short!
these are some of the Facts as stated by PM Stuart from last night meeting at Queens College
the public sector is at work,
donivile inniss corrected many major problems that had plagued the QEH for years under OSA,
a continuance of educational programs which started under EWB .
remains in place in additon programs like CAP have been put in place which affects over 1000 children the continuance of aid for low income children who cannot avail themselves to school supplies summer camp program. the employment act being passed which guarantees a worker right not to be fired without good cause.
PM also talk about the legacies of many of the past PM all except OSA had any to make mention of.the PM was not hesitant to mention the sense of discomfort he has when mention of Barbados assets to be sold.
there is a leson in this meeting for OSA that a Captain never sends his soldiers out to war without having the enemy on the battle field for he might win the battle but lose the war..
david B
don’t worry about how we feel the PM also welcome the sympathisers , i find it repugnant that after last night meeting in which the two faces of OSA was exposed that anybody can wish him upon Barbados . this country deserves better. OSA was in one of hallucination meltdowns when he approached the PM and told him that the TOWN HALL meeting was disrespectful” this man has no bounds . we all await the BIG LIE he is going to revert to to cover his arssssss on this one!
@ ac
Give it a rest!
You really think Owen went to Freundel and told him the Talk Back forum was disrespectful? Really, really??!!
“Which files y u are talking about?”
Trust me, you will not have to ask which files.
“You really think Owen went to Freundel and told him the Talk Back forum was disrespectful? Really, really??!!”
He said it in front of witnesses.
@miller (8:26)
You know how to scratch a surface.
DavidBYou really think Owen went to Freundel and told him the Talk Back forum was disrespectful? Really, really??!!
ac
does a leopard change his spot.
DavidB:
Are you suggesting that only one PM is entitled to 100% of his salary as pension?
If Owen former PM regulated that he as PM received 100% salary as pension then every worker in Barbados should vote DLP simply because minimum wage was $5.00 per hour from time immemoriam and the well endowed BLP did not even make mention of increasing it.
Are you one who benefits from the BLP administration so lavishly that you just do not care about the low-income earner?
Would Freundel be only seeking to get a full salary for pension and not pointing out a despicable wrong for the taxpayers who don’t and won’t get a full salary for pension to be paying ONE former PM that when he reaches pensionable age?
David of BU is seeking balance here in this forum and yuh all often knock ac, Carson and Onions about their bias and convictions … but DavidB you are the splitting image of ‘do wah ever yuh Owen dat is alright wid we.’ Did you pen that song? Yuh sure singing it over and over and over.
Owen Arthur is the best Prime Minister Barbados ever had
Name somebody better than Owen Arthur –Name them
Sandy ?
Bree ?
Freundel ?
Errol Barrow was the greatest; Owen is the Best
Just Asking
We all respect your views.
You are very fond of the Best and we respect your views.
I would just ask Mia Mottley if she thinks that Owen is the ‘best’ PM Barbados ever had. I would Just Ask ing a gentle way as well if:
Cynthia Forde
Rawle Eastmond
Ronald Toppin
and their following if they name Owen as the ‘best’ PM Barbados ever had.
Yuh know what Al Barrack should have a say on this as well and even Julie Arthur and former Mrs. Arthur …
Come on!!! have your convictions but don’t try to convict (incarcerate) others because you are unable to convince the masses about your unwavering belief in Owen.
Who replaces the best with uncertainty?
‘Only a fool breaks his own heart’ that’s a line of a song.
Tell Arthur to state now what the current measures put in place by DLP have done for the country? Trinidad would not be heavily investing in Barbados if they did not see long term profitability. Had they seen short term collapse they would not stay.
Do you want to hear after Elections should the BLP win that the same Arthur gets up and say the increase VAT and other measures strengthened our dollar and set us on the path to progress in these tough economic times?
Tell him (Owen) and yourself to say it now and let the intelligent bajan electorate decide. ‘Cause even if you don’t the electorate gine decide.
@ Brief | October 15, 2012 at 10:13 PM |
“Tell Arthur to state now what the current measures put in place by DLP have done for the country? Trinidad would not be heavily investing in Barbados if they did not see long term profitability. Had they seen short term collapse they would not stay.”
But Brief why are you so dishonest? Are you the same person along with ac, CCC and others who vehemently accuse the BLP and OSA of selling out Barbados to foreigners especially Trinidadians?
Why all of a sudden this volte-face support for selling businesses to Trinidadians?
Would you be supporting any further divestment of national assets to Trinidadians in the upcoming auction round of ‘distressed’ sales?
You should consult with ac before responding.