#BTEditorial – Leadership matters, political candidates must rise to the task

It’s safe to say the election race is on.

We are now 15 days away from voters deciding who will be handed the responsibility of managing this island’s affairs for the next five years.

With the business of settling their candidacy in the January 19 general election on Nomination Day complete, candidates are expected to connect with voters one-on-one, online, on platforms, in every possible way to earn their favour and, ultimately, their vote.

According to the Electoral and Boundaries Commission, a total of 108 candidates have formally registered to compete in the poll. The breakdown shows both the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party fielding full slates of 30 candidates; the Alliance Party for Progress, 20; Solutions Barbados, 11; New Barbados Kingdom Alliance, 2; Bajan Free Party, 4; Barbados Sovereignty Party, 2; and there are nine independent candidates.

Although COVID-19 has somewhat limited the usual intense activity on the campaign trail, we still expect that the next two weeks will be interesting.

We expect to see masked politicians and their representatives checking in on constituents even if, for some, it’s the first time since the May 2018 general elections.

The all-important decision rests solely in the hands of electorate. Hence, the reason there is much concern that COVID-19 positive patients may not be allowed to exercise their franchise. Certainly, in a modern, democratic Barbados there must be a way.

By now, we expect that some voters have already made up their minds on who should represent them in Parliament. Some, of course, based their decision on long held party loyalty, tradition, personal gain, or even the lack thereof. 

But increasingly, a more discerning electorate is emerging. As it should.

The old politics of charismatic promise-making politicians who appear with handouts when the election bell rings must be a thing of the past.

Given all that is at stake, our votes are too integral to our country’s future to let them slip or slide.

The origin of the word “politics” describes the practice of prudently conducting the affairs of a country. Therefore, one could easily assume that a politician should be someone naturally inclined to serve, one with an interest in leadership.

Throughout our history, we have been blessed with leaders who, though not perfect, had a clear identity and an unswerving commitment to duty, in the likes of Errol Barrow, Grantley Adams, Tom Adams, and others. Today, we deserve no less.

Leadership has always mattered and those politicians who, by their actions, not rhetoric, work with commitment and integrity to improve the lives of the voters who put them in a position of power, should be the only victors on the night of January 19.

Shouting on a political platform and making lofty, unrealistic promises are simply not enough for the discerning voter.

This voter is not interested in blindly supporting politicians A, B, C, D or U and sticking with them no matter what. This voter scrutinises candidates and looks for leaders whose actions match their words, who build up and are prepared to work to improve the lives of every Barbadian regardless of class, age or sex.

At this time in our development, Barbados needs leaders who take responsibility for their actions and allow others to hold them accountable; leaders who resist the urge to pander to a few while ignoring the plight of many.

We need the kind of leadership that will show us the way forward as we build out a new republic, and will undertake the difficult and unpopular task of economic and social transformation that will reposition Barbados.

Will our political candidates rise to the task?