#BTColumn – But Caswell Franklyn in a party too!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

by Vern Smith

Over the past few days, there have been two things that have puzzled me, both relating to union leaders in this country.

First I must congratulate Toni Moore on being given the opportunity to join the Barbados Labour  Party and be its candidate in the upcoming bye-election.

What is puzzling is why she hasn’t resigned from the Senate as yet or why Her Excellency the Governor-General has not revoked her appointment.

If my memory is correct Ms. Moore was appointed as an Independent Senator and if that is correct by now joining the Barbados Labour Party and being selected to be a candidate she can no longer be considered as an Independent Senator.

So either Ms. Moore should do the honourable thing and resign or Her Excellency the Governor-General should revoke her appointment.

As it stands now the Barbados Labour Party by virtue of Ms. Moore joining and being a candidate, has 13 Senators which is contrary to the Constitution.

The second issue that puzzles me is Mr. Caswell Franklin crying down Ms. Moore for joining a political party and offering herself as a candidate when he as a similar union leader joined a political party too and it was no problem.

We need to find out from Mr. Franklin why can he join one party and it is ok but when another union leader joins another party it is a big issue.