Former Barbados High Commissioner in London, Guy Hewitt, has suggested the political directorate in Barbados could improve the quality of governance in the country by setting constitutional term limits. He noted that such a system had worked well in other jurisdictions and could lead to more people-centred politics.
“Politics should not be a career but an opportunity to be of service to the nation. The problem is that politics has become the be-all and end-all for some people and it is neither healthy for them or for democracy,” Hewitt asserted.
The cleric recommended that Barbados end the “cult of the leader” practice by following examples such as the Cayman Islands which in 2009 set a two-term limit on the office of leader of the government. According to the Cayman Islands Constitution 49[4]: “The governor shall not appoint as premier a person who has held office as premier during two consecutive parliamentary terms unless at least one parliamentary term has expired since he or she last held that office ….” Hewitt noted that Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin had been prohibited from pursuing another term as the country’s political leader due to term limits.
Hewitt, who last week poured cold water on calls from several circles for him to pursue the leadership of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), also touched on political campaign financing and acknowledged that in the midst of the ongoing severe economic recession, he appreciated the struggle the DLP might face in trying to raise funds for what he sees as an “impending” general election. However, he was optimistic that support would come as people appreciated the importance of a viable opposition to ensure that democracy remained strong in Barbados.
Hewitt said he has had his own experience with fundraising. He recalled in 2016 raising almost BDS$1 million to celebrate Barbados’ fiftieth anniversary of Independence and the eightieth birthday of Sir Garfield Sobers. He noted that “for transparency all the funds were deposited in the High Commission’s bank account.” The funds went towards a number of signature events. These included a gala and awards ceremony at the London-landmark Savoy Hotel and awards for outstanding Bajan Brits, a birthday banquet for Sir Garry at MCC Lord’s cricket ground and match at the Getty-owned Wormsley cricket ground, an anniversary service at Southwark Cathedral, and publishing Fathering a Nation on the life and legacy of Errol Walton Barrow.
Hewitt said that it “was important to celebrate the severing of the umbilical cord with Britain but not at the expense of the Barbadian taxpayers.”
Hewitt noted that these events also “helped to underscore the considerable contribution made by Barbadians to Britain.” UK-based awardees included: Emmerson Boyce, FA Cup winning captain and Barbados captain; renowned historian Professor Richard Drayton; acclaimed batsman Sir Gordon Greenidge; Wing Commander Aubrey Inniss, who flew in the Battle of Britain; Lieutenant Walter Tull, the first black British army officer; champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute; author Andrea Stuart; and the Rt. Rev. Sir Wilfred Wood, the first black Bishop in the Church of England.
Hewitt spoke to questions about him being an ordained minister of religion being involved in politics He noted that in following the 2008 general election an editorial of another media house in Barbados, asserted: “secular societies such as Barbados permit any number of religions to practise their faith. They also hold fast to the custom of not allowing undue intrusion of religion into politics…”
However, Hewitt said he held fast to a very different position. He referenced George Washington, who he said learned about democracy in Barbados. He quoted Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true patriot if they ever attempt to separate religion from politics.”
Hewitt, who was a central figure in the Windrush controversy in England, indicated that the notion of a relationship between politics and religion is captured in Barbados’ National Anthem. He explained the anthem states: “The Lord has been our people’s guide for the past three hundred years, with Him still on our people’s side we have no doubts or fears.”
He concluded that the church and other religious groups were neither the master nor the servant of the state but were its conscience.
(WG)
