Political scientists don’t see anything sinister in MP’s decision to leave City seat

It is unlikely Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic’s decision not to contest the next general elections has anything to do with the botched effort by a local businessman to procure vaccines for Government.

The assessment has come from political scientists Peter Wickham and Dr Kristina Hinds, who both believe Bostic has earned the right to retire because of his outstanding efforts in leading the fight against COVID-19.

The former high-ranking army officer delivered the shocking news on Thursday night during a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) virtual branch meeting of his City constituency.

At that meeting, Bostic told his constituents he was stepping away from public life to spend more time with his family.

However, Wickham, a political consultant and head of the Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES), told Barbados TODAY Bostic’s intentions were widely known within the BLP.

He said there was speculation Bostic’s decision was related to the highly-publicized failed arrangement by businessman Mark Maloney to procure vaccines for Government, which he denied knowing about.

“Bostic’s decision was not a surprise to those who were in the know politically. The fact of his not running again was an open secret within BLP circles and I think to that extent it wasn’t really a huge surprise to people.

“There is a perception out there that it is in some way related to this most recent issue with the vaccines. My reading of the situation is that it has more to do with an anticipated timeline for elections,” Wickham said.

Dr Hinds, a senior lecturer in political science at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, agreed with her counterpart.

“I don’t know what is happening with that inside of the Government but I don’t think it influenced his decision. I do think he is exhausted and I can’t see how he would not be exhausted doing what he is doing and he has a long record of service to the country and I think it is very reasonable that he needs a rest,” she said.

With general elections constitutionally due in 2023, Wickham said Bostic’s announcement was timely and gave the BLP adequate time to choose a replacement.

“He is very right in reading the fact that when a candidate departs and a new candidate has to be installed there is a learning curve and normally it would destabilize a constituency if a candidate is removed. So he is correct in assuming that if he is going to leave he would need to give the new candidate a bit of leeway to be able to meet the constituents, to ensure that the BLP has a fighting chance in that constituency.

“I think that is in every way related to his decision not to continue and to announce it at this time to give the party an opportunity to choose someone else, that’s how I see it. I don’t think there is anything sinister in it. He has worked very hard as Minister of Health and I think that he has earned his retirement quite frankly. I think the vast majority of Barbadians would support that view as well,” Wickham pointed out.

Dr Hinds said Bostic had done an admirable job as Minister of Health and Wellness and deserved the rest.

However, she said it was still quite possible he could play a major part in the BLP’s plans going forward.

“I think Mr Bostic is well within his rights now to step down as the candidate for the City. He has worked extremely hard during this pandemic and I could only imagine that he is beyond exhausted at this time, so it is reasonable for him to want to take a step back from public service.

“It doesn’t mean he will necessarily be out of politics altogether because there are other things people can be called on to do and we’ve seen that with this current administration and others. He may be seeking to step away from some of the more onerous and difficult political duties but he may still be called upon, especially after he gets some rest to do other [things] perhaps in the Senate or some other capacity,” Dr Hinds said.

She said the move would give the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) candidate for the City a realistic chance of winning as the BLP now had to find a new candidate.

(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)