Stuart and Arthur, our political leaders in waiting
Whether you believe that the political manifesto of a political party is its intent to rollout certain policies if elected or that it is a social contract becomes an exercise in semantics. It is currently the preferred option which political parties have to outline a set of promises which they hope – if elected – to implement. In a growing democracy the electorate should have a reasonable expectation that a political party’s record over time should demonstrate the level of credence given to manifesto promises.
What is reprehensible is that with 10 days left to the 21 February 2013 both political parties continue to withhold manifestos (proposals) from the electorate as if it were a big secret. This is happening at a time when our tiny island continues to face unprecedented challenges posed by the global state of affairs. Both major political parties obviously see political tactics and gamesmanship being more relevant. What does it say about us?
Until we achieve a higher level of maturity how we conduct political campaigns in Barbados the current reality which see political parties entertaining the party faithful and others looking for a good laugh will continue. Why would an intelligent electorate, and society, not demand from the candidates that they communicate their proposals to inform debate in the country well in advance of the election date? If ever there was a time in our history when we needed our politicians to depart from the same old same old the time is now surely. What does it say about us?
One is therefore left to ask, what has been the objective of the political campaigning so far? If both political parties and the handful of Independents have the national interest at heart, why not rush to deposit well articulated ideas and suggestions in the public space? The corn beef style of campaigning described which served a purpose in the 60s and 70s cannot be relevant now. The irony is that more people, especially the youth, are becoming so cynical about politics and giving up their right to participate in our democracy? We have sunk billions into educating our people yet a significant chunk of our citizenry do not feel compelled to fully participate in our system of democracy. What does it say about us?
One manifesto item that will be of high interest to BU is how will both parties outline a media policy. This is a subject which is dear to the BU household. BU was conceptualized and given birth at a time when we detected deep hostility by Arthur and cohorts directed at the media in the 2006 to 2007. In an information age it is evident significant institutional strengthening is required in the area of journalism and a supporting framework. Both parties should explore how resources can be strategically targeted at this segment which does not compromise its independence. It is 2013 and there is no vibrant body to represent media practitioners. What does it say about us?
Instead of discussing issues we have to witness politicians on both sides hurling abuse and otherwise vacuous statements at each other. However, in less than two weeks they will dress up in their finest Italian suits and enter the august chamber of parliament to assume the mantle of lawmakers. What does it say about us?
Sound like wunna gettin friten.
Read the Barbados Today Editorial page 2. ‘lets hear the experts”
To Check It Out and DavidB:
This is simple. If Michael is my enemy and Peter is my bosom pal and I gave Michael $75,000.00. Do tell me how much would I give my pal Peter? How about $3.3 m?
@Tell Me Why
Precisely. That’s another reason the ad makes no sense and has no advantage for the DEMS politically.
Democratic Labour Party Manifesto 2013
The DLP Manifesto does NOT disclose where it was printed that we can see.
I see Bees and Dees are out canvassing the Muslim vote, with the prime minister making a special journey to a local Mosque. Has he made this journey to local churches? So diversity is now the answer to our social problems?
Michael Carrington and the PM Stuart gets along better than most, no doubt this is Carington pandering to the minority vote in his constituency by leveraging the relationship.
@Adrian.
You asked “is this democracy”?
No its the D’Mockeryacy .
David | February 16, 2013 at 2:10 AM |
The DLP Manifesto does NOT disclose where it was printed that we can see.
__________________
you notice that too? oh Dear, oh Dear.
i could be wrong but where in the DLP manifesto does it deal with the cost of living?
To the DLP bombardiers, what happen wid wunnah bombs that wunnuh was supposed to explode last night at the meeting that was gine devastate the whole of the BLP? Wunnah fuse did damp?
The point is that the closer it gets to election day, the less credible any revelations of wrongdoing would be. It is a flawed strategy anyhow, but I was looking forward to the fireworks.
@ David:
I am a bit confused on some of the DLP’s policies regarding the country’s dependency on fossil-based fuels in relation to the expansion of RE and Transportation.
Maybe you can help shed some light on the issues:
On the one hand we have set out at page 31 the lofty goal and environmentally mandatory plank or base of any “green’ economy and sustainable living:
“Reduce CO2 emissions, reliance on fossil
fuels, and cut electricity consumption by
significant amounts”.
But on the other hand we have the addiction of feeding the biggest enemy to our environment and promoting the continuing dependence on fossil fuels to provide our energy. Just examine the two proposals below as highlighted under the RE policy / programme heading:
“Have the Barbados National Oil Co Ltd use
its profits from crude oil production to
explore for more oil and gas reserves and
expand production of oil and gas as such
reserves increase;”
“Explore with Trinidad and Tobago the
construction of a natural gas pipeline linking
Trinidad and Tobago to Barbados;”
Why not use the existing “excess” profits to finance further penetration of RE to the ordinary household and small businesses. We were also of the view that the gas pipeline project had already passed the “exploratory” talks stage and an implementation agreement with T&T was already in the pipeline (pun intended).
Now let us turn to Transportation a large consumer of imported based fuels.
“Source buses powered by renewable energy
for the Barbados Transport Board;”
“Reduce the operating costs of the Transport
Board by sourcing electric and hybrid buses,
which can be powered from renewable energy
sources;”
“Provide fiscal incentives to induce private
sector vehicles that finance renewable energy;”
(A bit confusing, but!)
Although long overdue such doable policy directives should be commended.
But the following queries need to be raised:
Where is the financing going to come from? Certainly not borrowed from overseas on the open market given our junk bond status?
Will bus fares have to be raised if overseas funding is secured from a financing source supporting climate change related projects?
Can some of the profits from BNOC be used to offset the high cost of purchasing RE running buses when compared to the existing diesel driven motors?
Why not start with the upgrade and conversion of the existing fleet?
How does this policy of a revised Transport system based on RE translate itself into savings to taxpayers who are currently footing the astronomically high operating bills incurred by the Government’s massive fleet of ML & MP vehicles?
Where are the plans to reduce or convert vehicles use in the public sector or assigned to senior officials from fossil-based to RE?
A government must always lead by example if private sector players are to buy into any RE revolution.
this is a joke. DLP is not ready. if they somehow won the elections on the 22nd they would not know what to do. they don’t have a plan for the country.
this is disturbing because the DLP was to be one of the two leading political parties in this country.
@David (not BU) | February 16, 2013 at 8:02 AM |
“i could be wrong but where in the DLP manifesto does it deal with the cost of living?
What about the CLICO debacle? Unless accidentally missed there is no policy position on the biggest problem affecting the integrity of our financial system, investment climate and confidence in our system of governance and the administration of justice.
But here is another jokey proposal that can be put in the same category as the 2009 budgetary proposal to impose a $4.00 per month levy on pre-paid cell phones.
“Reduce the cost of internet and broadband
access to households by providing an income
tax deduction of up to $2,000 for domestic
internet and broadband” (Page 41)
Don’t the DLP policy makers realize that nearly all Barbadian taxpayers and householders who can take full advantage of this tax break already have internet and broadband services?
What about those taxpayers whose incomes fall below $25,000 and not paying income tax? How would they benefit from this condescending gesture?
Why perpetuate the ICT divide between the already IT literate and those on the periphery and reflected in the tax concessions apartheid system?
Would it apply to those using mobile services?
Would that $2,000 apply as a one-off deduction or would it be an annual deduction to cover monthly payments for the same broadband service?
On the whole a poorly thought out set of proposals in some areas with no mention of financing implications.
Poorly compared to what?b what are ctalking abiut here GIVEAWAYS and ar raid on the TREASURY! any govt who is serious about moving thiscountry forward must FOCUS on jobs . GiVEAWAYS at this time is SUICIDAL.and total drain on the economy with no end in sight. THe FOCUS must be in Restructing and rebuilding not by freebies but implementing proposal through growth which would put people back to work and tapping into the entrepreunial spirit with finances
@ ac | February 16, 2013 at 10:39 AM |
We are glad to hear from you that the DLP has learned, albeit too late, from its January 2008 manifesto of impossible promises.
We are even happier to hear that the DLP has reversed its position and now sees the party’s manifesto as a morally binding social contract.
Where there darkness there must be Light following! A brighter and better tomorrow is on the way!