New political party in the works

Barbados will have a new political party by September.

The New Democratic Progress (NDP) is currently being set up by interests who have chosen to remain anonymous at this stage.

A spokesman told Barbados TODAY that although they have already set up a Facebook page to attract interest while recruiting members, they have opted not to go public to avoid attracting the usual political candidates.

Despite the poor showing of new parties on the island’s political landscape, the NDP is undeterred, saying it will deliver a new type of politics.

Declaring its motto as Development and Democracy with the philosophy of Friends of All, Satellites of None, the party says it intends to build a political institution to continue the work of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

“The NDP will not engage in opposition politics. Wherever applicable, the NDP will commend the government of the day for any government-established policies that are aiding in the development and upliftment of the people of Barbados,” it said.

However, it added that when warranted, the NDP will present to Barbadians a “coordinated analysis” of any government policies it deems unnecessary, wasteful or harmful to the security, values, or financial integrity of Barbados.

The NDP underscored that democracy is paramount and stressed the need for an equitable society where freedom of speech as well as patience and tolerance for all, are upheld.

“Freedom of polite and dissenting speech with respectful attention to alternate views must be seen as a community standard. Democracy needs real freedom of speech, as well as patience and tolerance for all concerned.

“We believe in democracy, both conceptually and practically, in the way it is defined in the Barbadian Constitution. Dictatorship, communism and fascism are incompatible with freedom and the values of Barbados,” it said.

The NDP said it would “work as a public forum for the well-being and advancement of the people of Barbados”.

“This will be achieved through pathways of personal development: unfettered access to education and skills training irrespective of experience, age or gender; access to economic participation and freedom of career choice; cultural expression; liberty of conscience and faith,” it added. (SD)