Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.
There is much in the recently delivered Throne Speech for Barbadians to think about. The Statement represents a fairly bold and thoughtful attempt to come to grips with the array of issues that confront us, even if some concerns raised in the narrative might justifiably be described as ‘misplaced priorities,’ though not altogether irrelevant.
Historically speaking, perhaps the most significant change is the decision that by November 30, 2021, Barbados will become a Republic. This represents a major constitutional repositioning. It is an issue on which I have, to use President Obama’s term ‘evolved’. I don’t think there is likely to be much resistance on that particular matter. Although the personage of ‘The Queen’ still carries some respect, the sentimental appeal of the House of Windsor has dissipated particularly among a younger generation of Barbadians who never sang ‘God Save the Queen’ and were not educated or miss-educated in ‘The Great School House of Empire.’ Today the young Royals of the Windsor Dynasty are seen more as celebrities than as representatives of revered ‘Majesty.’ A statement reportedly emanating from Buckingham Palace has already suggested that the Government and people of Barbados are free to do as they see fit. Ultimately what matters is what kind of Republic we fashion.
Another issue is the sanctioning of same-sex civil unions with a proposed referendum on the legalisation of same-sex marriage. This has apparently become a priority because it is claimed that on this score, Barbados has a human rights problem. One is not sure that Barbados has or has ever had, a human right issue with regard to homosexuality. In fact unlike Jamaica, Barbadians as anyone growing up in the Eagle Hall area could testify had an amazing tolerance with gay and lesbian people. The most they were subjected to, was a ‘snigger’ to their faces and a ‘laugh’ behind their backs. One wonders how the proposed referendum on gay marriage will be worded. Bajans may agree to civil unions in a secular court, but they will not sanction same sex marriage with the benefits of clergy. That day may come, but it is not today or the day after. The march of the LGBTQ community is part of the globalisation of culture. Barbadians will be called upon to decide on their own collective moral identity. Some people are born gay, some adopt gaiety. Who did sin? This man or his fore-parents that he was born blind? Gay people should be protected by law and straight people must be protected from the aggressive unnatural affections of sexually inverted persons. Beyond that: ‘Live and let live.’
The Mottley administration was expected to be liberal on social policy issues. It now proposes to amend the Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Act whereby the possession of 14 grammes or half once or less of cannabis will no longer be a chargeable office tried in court. The changes allows for a ticket system by which an individual having half-ounce or less would have 30 days to pay a $200 fine. One wonders how workable the ticket system is likely to be and would it not require as much or more legal and police work than before the amendment. The real question is: Would not any level of decriminalisation not lead to greater drug, escapism and delusion among an already endangered youth?
In the economic sphere the Throne Speech makes provision for two major strategies. One is for a one year $40 million COVID-19 Relief program. The other is for a $300 million stimulus package under a Barbados Employment and Sustainable Transformation (BEST) program.
The Tourism sector and other affiliated services are arguably the hardest hit by the pandemic. The August 22 edition of ‘The Economist’ notes that while the Caribbean has fared well in terms of limiting confirmed infections, the economic consequences of the pandemic have been more disastrous. Recently Neil Walters of the Caribbean Tourism Authority stated that there was a 50 percent decline in tourist arrivals up to June. Up to June the U.S market declined by 60.1 percent, the Canadian by 43.8 and Europe by 54.8 percent. The Barbados Central Bank regarded by The Economist as ‘an especially good reporter of data’ notes that Barbados economy contracted by 27 percent in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2019. More than a fifth of workers filed for unemployment benefit. The Caribbean tourism sector is too big to fail and the hundreds of laid-off employers in the sector cannot be allowed to fall into penury. The objective of recapitalising the operations of the hospitality sector is vital. Stimulus cannot continue indefinitely and ultimately the outcome will depend on the return of the visitors to our shores.
The Speech contains the usual plans for reskilling and training of displaced workers. Then there are proposals for a digital bank, broader local ownership in the renewable energy sector and a junior stock exchange to enhance micro and small business. One is often sceptical of these promises, particularly when no timelines are given and the details are still to be fleshed out. Too often we never hear about the implementation and subsequent effectiveness of many of these schemes. They invariably remain ‘happy talk’, part of the rhetoric of a so-called ‘transformational culture’ aimed at producing what Owen Arthur called a new entrepreneurial culture and a new entrepreneurial class. Hopefully somewhere within the pages of the Throne speech there is something that will turn out to be truly ‘transformational.’
Ralph Jemmott is a respected retired educator.
