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 John Goddard
Today, I wish to be controversial. DLP parliamentarians of the last administration must stop letting their opponents as well as those with little to offer except maligning the character of others, prevent them from making a contribution to national discourse or even offering themselves for service if they so desire.
Your government made mistakes, but it also did some good things as have all previous governments.
Your crushing defeat at the polls would have hurt, but should not have crushed you, personally. I am sure the electorate has been watching the performance of your successors in office and are becoming less than impressed by the day.
I am not suggesting that all of you should seek political office again. Nevertheless,
there is no good reason for you to hang your heads in shame.
As for the nonsense of having to offer the country an apology, I think you should dismiss that for what it is worth.
I can’t recall BLP members apologising following the mauling the party suffered in the 1986 elections, nor should they. The electorate has the right to hire and fire their political employees. What is necessary is for the defeated party to learn from its loss.
Barbadians love scapegoats, and politicians make good whipping boys. However, time is not only a great healer, but also a teacher and revealer.
A friend keeps telling me that former PM Stuart should not show his face on a political platform again.
Why? Did he commit a crime? Stuart’s main weakness was his failure to communicate regularly with a public reeling from the effects of the worst economic crisis in 60 years, but no one can deny that he was and is a decent gentleman who acted in the best interest of Barbados. Those who now attempt to ridicule him cannot untie his shoe laces far more walk in his shoes. Of course, I know that he is not fazed by the comments of his detractors.
It is my view that Mr. Richard Sealy has been the most effective Tourism Minister Barbados has had since Independence, and few can match Mr. Ronald Jones in the role of Minister of Education.
I am yet to understand why Mr. Chris Sinckler has thrown in the political towel, for he remains one of the bright stars in the political firmament.
Prime Minister Mottley has shown us that he still has much to offer, by inviting him to be part of one of her advisory committees. The vicious attacks on the former Finance Minister can be attributed to three factors.
He was the face of austerity as his government battled to keep the economy afloat. The second is one I raised already, but which many pretend not to matter.
Mr. Sinckler is the first person from a Newer Secondary School to hold
that portfolio.
In our class conscious society, someone like him from Deacons and a product of the then Garrison Secondary School could not have been allowed to succeed in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. Thirdly, he is a highly articulate and feared
political force.
I wish to pose the following question: how much has the life of the ordinary Barbadian improved since May, 2018?
In parting, let me issue a word of caution. If we do not stop abusing those who present themselves to serve politically, we should not be surprised when men and women of good character refuse to offer themselves for elective politics.
Undoubtedly, once people have read this article, I will be called all kinds of names, but that will be like water running off a duck’s back. I must be true to myself, for those
who fail to be true to self are unlikely to be true to others.
John Goddard, retired but always an educator.
