#BTSpeakingOut – Rowe should step down

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Roderick P. Harris

I don’t know since when “respected political scientists” have become figures of moral authority.

I laughed as I saw your paper’s predictable headline “Rowe Can Stay”. Somehow you attempted to make the public believe that the three individuals, because of their profession, are the voices of the people or that they represent the general sentiment of Bajans.

Nonsense!!!

I may be wrong, but I am sure none of the three is a registered voter of St Michael North West. The attempt to put a political spin on this very grave issue is atrocious. It is as vile as the influencers on social media who are vilifying the alleged victim.

Rape accused MP Neil Rowe has his job because he was approved by his branch and Prime Minister Mia Mottley to run and he was voted for by the people of St Michael North West.

I agree with Ms. White whose letter came in your Monday edition when she said that Mia should do the right thing. She should ask him to resign. But, if Mr. Rowe has the interest of the people of his constituency truly at heart, he too should do the right thing and step down.

It is not about only guilt or innocence as the three gurus said in their mouthings. It is about the people who elected him and those whose taxes pay his salary every month.

So I challenge Barbados TODAY and any other media house to go to the constituency and hear what the people have to say about their MP.

Given the charge he is on bail for, how will he interact and engage female constituents and how will they relate to him as we await the outcome of the trial, if there is one? Hasn’t a trust been broken whether the political pundits want to acknowledge it or not? A trust has been broken between the country and the Ministry and Minister of Education as well. The display of arrogance by those at the centre of these two controversial issues, does nothing to help mend the trust lost.

I realise the PM had Kay McConney next to her as she addressed Rowe’s issue. Why was AG Dale Marshall not there given that it is a criminal matter? I felt insulted for those who had marched against the IDB survey the day before. It was as if the message was: “Folks, McConney is here to stay”.

When it comes to the current crime wave, the contentious IDB survey in education, or the inadequacies in the healthcare system et al, people who favour the Bees love to say, “it is not a political issue”, well this certainly is not a political issue although it involves a politician.

This is a criminal matter that brings the issues of transparency, morality and a sense of decency to the fore.

Wasn’t Rowe’s face plastered all over St Michael North West in January as he solicited votes? Why did Mr. Rowe hide his face with a scarf while at court on Monday? Will he wear facial gear when dealing with people in his constituency office? Will he cover his face as he makes his way around the communities? Rowe should follow his political leader, who fired him as Deputy Speaker, and relieve himself of the post of Member of Parliament of St Michael North West.

Transparency demands it!