Sir Frank Alleyne is disturbed by what he sees as indications that democracy could be under threat in Barbados. Sir Frank, an economist and former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of the West Indies, made his concerns known last night as he delivered a James Tudor Institute Of Politics lecture on leadership in Barbadian and Caribbean society.
“I’m starting to see some signs in Barbados which worry me,” he said in the auditorium of the Democratic Labour Party, George Street headquarters. “Until 2013, my certain knowledge is that once there is an election in Barbados the winner was accepted and allowed to get on with the business of governing. This is the first time we are seeing and hearing, not on the ground, but openly, that the losers were hoping for a collapse of the Government. They were putting on the pressure.”
According to Sir Frank, that pressure eased only with the departure from the Barbados Labour Party last month of former Prime Minister Owen Arthur.
“When Owen Arthur decided to become Independent, this was one of the first things that came out of the leadership of the Labour Party’s mouth: Now that he has left the hope of an early election is over.”
He warned the audience, comprising DLP supporters: “It’s important that you keep your guards up, because as I look around Barbados, I can see on the periphery elements which would like to invoke that type of bullying, bully leader, into our politics”.
He added: “We find people want to bring down the Government by using extra-legal means. There have been attempts to remove government in this Caribbean by extra-legal means already. It has never happened in Barbados . . . and the way to avoid it is eternal vigilance.”
Sir Frank, a DLP stalwart, recollected calls by younger members within the party for the then Opposition Leader Errol Barrow to provoke disquiet aimed at forcing then Prime Minister Tom Adams from office.
“I was present. Barrow said, ‘Look, listen to me. The people who voted him in said they wanted him. When they want to get rid of him, they will get him out. Let him go on and govern. If he makes mistakes, let him make mistakes’. And Barrow turned out to be right,” Sir Frank said.
He observed: “If you believe in the democratic tradition, if the people in free and fair elections decide who they want as the Government, you are showing disrespect to the public at large by saying they made a mistake. That is what has surfaced in Barbados for the first time.”
Sir Frank said there was a need for endless vigilance by Barbadians to protect the island’s tradition of democracy.
“It is not sitting back, voting for somebody, and you then wait the next five years, then to restir yourself into political activity again. The political candidate cannot do it himself, or herself.
“We who have an interest in politics must get up and be in the vanguard in terms of protecting our rights and our freedoms.”
Sir Frank worried by signs
Article by
Barbados Today
Published on
August 15, 2014
Article by
Barbados Today
Barbados Today
August 15, 2014
When you don’t give people avenues to vent that is when a mob occurs……. We have not gotten there yet Sir Frank
When you don’t give people avenues to vent that is when a mob occurs……. We have not gotten there yet Sir Frank
Has he commented on how the economy is being handled?! Where is that data?
Has he commented on how the economy is being handled?! Where is that data?
Frank Alleyne is an operative of the government a wind up toy. He is obviously saying to the population that we should tow the DLP line because of an election victory. What of the lies and distrust? The people must voice their concerns that’s the fundamental premise of democracy. The only threat to democracy comes from people like him who make delusional reckless comments in public. Governments cannot be allowed to take the spirit away from the people.
Frank Alleyne is an operative of the government a wind up toy. He is obviously saying to the population that we should tow the DLP line because of an election victory. What of the lies and distrust? The people must voice their concerns that’s the fundamental premise of democracy. The only threat to democracy comes from people like him who make delusional reckless comments in public. Governments cannot be allowed to take the spirit away from the people.
Isn’t he a govt adviser.
Isn’t he a govt adviser.
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yes because eternal vigilance is all thats needed to save this country. this is nonsense wake up Barbados!
yes because eternal vigilance is all thats needed to save this country. this is nonsense wake up Barbados!