Minority party declares plans to agitate on citizens’ behalf

The Alliance Party for Progress (APP) remains committed to fighting on behalf of the people of Barbados, despite its failure to secure any seats during the January 19 general elections.

This was the message delivered by party leader Bishop Joseph Atherley during Sunday’s public meeting at which he said the APP was determined to present new policies and frameworks geared at assisting Barbadians in a meaningful way, and free of international influence.

“Policies formulated and shaped in Barbados too often come from the bosoms of select interest groups. Much of the policy formulation which we now adopt in Barbados comes through outside influence and pressure from our government – our desire, our sense of need to comply with the dictates that come from abroad even when they threaten long held and cherished values in Barbados,” he told those gathered at the Cricket Legends of Barbados in Fontabelle, St Michael.

Bishop Atherley also chided the Government for its failure to implement robust anti-corruption legislation, charging that a wave of questionable financial activities still permeates throughout governmental projects and contracts.

“We need to see, and this is a very strong point for us in the Alliance Party for Progress, the elimination of corruption through the implementation of potent legislation intended to counter further drift into practices of corruption in Barbados.

“You can’t just talk about it, you can’t just introduce legislation to the Parliament of Barbados when international institutions suggest that you have to comply. It is in the interest of Barbadians that corruption at the highest levels in Barbados is stamped out. Corruption robs an economy of productive dollars. One of the reasons why we are where we are financially is because of corruption in various forms,” the APP leader contended.

Another area of concern for Atherley is the increase in labour issues within the last several months, as employers seek to maximise profits in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stressed that although foreign investment should be supported, it should not be forced through while labour issues are still outstanding.

“We say we have a functional social partnership. In my view, to some extent there has been a level of compromise…. All I am saying is as we build out this economy, the role of a state is clear and the role of private investment – foreign and domestic – is also clear,” Bishop Atherley said.

“We have got to make sure that labour thrives as well, and that the private interest and capital interest do not become so overly dominant over labour that the interest of the working class is submerged or subjugated on the altars of what we think to be economic expediency in Barbados.”  (SB)