Atherley says party plans to empower poor and foster democracy

Empowering poor people and building out democracy through uplifting policies and governance will be the hallmark of a new Alliance Party for Progress (APP) government if successful in the January 19 polls.

That was the assurance given by APP political leader Bishop Joseph Atherley at his party’s virtual presentation of candidates on Tuesday evening, as he pledged that if elected, his party would pursue policies that will bring about radical and revolutionary change.

Against this background, the former Opposition Leader laid out a 10-point road map which he hoped will be instrumental in this endeavour. The plan includes: people-centred initiatives that bring meaningful benefits; a governance model that works; a growth model that results in shared prosperity for all; a system that allows for obvious and fair access to treatment and redress in legal, social, economic and justice matters; the elimination of corruption; fair remuneration and appropriate mechanisms for accountability in the context of clear transparency; the expansion of ownership opportunity in Barbados; and the building out of a democracy in which power resides in the hands of the people.

He also gave a commitment to building sound platforms for the provision of education, housing and other social welfare services.

Atherley said he expected these nation-building policies to, among other things, “stop poor people from being poor”.

He charged that the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), though it has managed some things well, has not brought about revolutionary change in the lives of Barbadians at the level of the poor working class, the unemployed, or even the private sector battling the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, he envisaged that an APP government would change that.

“If we look at the development of our economic profile, what we find is simply this – that once we were slaves in their fields, then we moved beyond that and we became servants in their houses and then we graduated, and it would seem that there is a sense of satisfaction having attained this level we become stewards in their offices and businesses. . . .

“The philosophy for the Alliance Party for Progress is we must move beyond being stewards and become owners in Barbados. So, the pursuit of mass-based ownership in Barbados is a premium objective for this party. And that is a commitment we make to you – the building out of a democracy in which power, in real and actual terms, resides in the hands of the people. That is what republic means; democracy also implies that,” Atherley said.

He added that while Barbadians have almost become accustomed to and seemingly contented with power coming to the people once every five years, APP promises “a model of governance, a culture of democracy, the outworking of institutions which will clearly demonstrate that power resides in the hands of the people . . .  every day”.

“We will be a party where people’s participation and the further inclusiveness of the people of this country will be reflected in how we govern, how we govern ourselves and how we remain accountable to each other as we chase our national dreams,” Atherley said.

In terms of ownership opportunities, the St Michael Central candidate said it was shameful that in 2022, the majority of Barbadians still remain landless and, therefore, dispossessed. He said his party will bring about meaningful change in that area.

“. . . . Several of the policies to which I just made reference may fall into the realm of things we have heard before . . . but what makes the difference is the implementation. And if the implementation leads to radical and revolutionary change then we are serving a purpose as a government,” the APP leader said.

Atherley maintained his intended policies would not jettison the country’s values but “build on our foundational institutions, the richness of our communities and always accept Barbados’ and its people’s reliance on a God who is sovereign and supreme and who has expressed himself in bountiful blessings upon this country for the past several hundred years”.

“So, I ask you when you go to the polls on January 19 to consider the candidates . . . a rich blend of talent . . . . All of us possess a unified vision for the betterment of Barbados,” Atherley added. (KC)