#SpeakingOut – A new brand of governance

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

by Dr. Derek Alleyne

The Barbados labour Party came into office promising a new model of governance that included integrity legislation among many other signals that it would not be politics as usual. Well it certainly has not been politics as usual, for rather than providing evidence of good governance, Barbadians continue to witness a retreat from openness and team work to a model of one bully Government.

A motley crew of politicians has sat quietly as standard after standard has been thrown out in search of the deification of Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Politics attracts the good, the bad and the ugly. Unfortunately, too often critics ignore the good and bask in the ignominy of the bad. The defeat of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) 30 to 0 and the party’s efforts to rise from the defeat has been the focus of many critics who often ignore the performance of a government given the unique mandate the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) received.

Traditionally, transparency, integrity and effective delivery have been the focus in determining or judging a government’s performance. But that seems not to be relevant in Barbados any more. Of late, governance goes beyond the performance of a Government to include the working of other social organisations, how they relate to citizens, and how decisions are taken in a complex world.

John Graham, Bruce Amos and Tim Plumptre in an article “Principles for Good Governance in the 21st Century”, identify four key sectors of society situated among citizens at large: business, the institutions of civil society (including the voluntary or not-for-profit sector), Government and the media. They contend that governance “opens new intellectual space. It provides a concept that allows us to discuss the role of Government in coping with public issues and the contribution that other players may make. It opens one’s mind to the possibility that groups in society other than government (e.g. ‘communities’ or the ‘voluntary sector’) may have to play a stronger role in addressing problems.”

Surely good political scientists and journalists worth their salt or the ink in their pens would see the need to try to ensure that a government with a parliamentary opposition of one remains loyal to the basic canons of good Government.  The only group that has mattered wears the motley brand. From the selection of the Cabinet, across the senate, members of Boards, consultants, heads of institutions, new departments, High Commissions, Mottley has waved her fairy wand with gay abandon and anointed them in her name. All hail Mottley, a new brand of governance!

Dr. Derek Alleyne  is a trade unionist, social commentator, and a member of the Democratic Labour Party.