DePeiza: ‘Tired, campaign clichés’

With the exception of a few measures, yesterday’s Throne Speech was nothing more than an attempt to revive a “tired” and “incompetent” administration.

That is the Democratic Labour Party’s assessment of Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s “warmed over soup” that was delivered today by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason.

DLP President Verla DePeiza in a press release welcomed the promise of a republic as perhaps the lone highlight. She also acknowledged the revival of mains replacement and water augmentation projects, as well as a pit toilet eradication programme as positives. The party leader however added that none of these measures warranted a throne speech.

“Our Head of State was forced down into this arena for the first time ever, with a statement replete with tired clichés from the last campaign trail,” DePeiza lamented.

“There were no new initiatives to justify the proroguing of Parliament and a fresh Throne Speech. It is clear that Prime Minister Mottley is desperately seeking to reinvigorate her tired and patently incompetent administration in the eyes of a bitterly disappointed electorate,” she added.

In response to the promise of a breakaway from the British Monarchy, Depeiza expressed support, but argued that more immediate measures could be taken.

“The DLP is thankful for the move towards a Republic, a determination which likely unites the country – but hastens to add that the best representation of a break from our colonial past would be the swift removal of Lord Nelson from its prominent position in Bridgetown. Removal of the statue is a very immediate and achievable action but one wonders if the political will is there,” DePeiza suggested.

In response to the announcement of a $40 million Covid-19 relief programme, she expressed doubts about its smooth implementation in a climate of “drastically reduced revenues”.

“Given the difficulty in implementing and disbursing previous packages the country awaits delivery of these new alleviation promises,” said DePeiza.

“The plan for solar powered homes is intriguing and the decriminalisation of mere possession of marijuana is long overdue.

“The DLP will remain vigilant on behalf of the people of Barbados and keep the government of the day accountable in respect of what was a disguised manifesto presented as warmed over and somewhat stale soup,” the statement concluded. (KS)