Ralph Thorne’s predecessor as Leader of the Opposition is already looking to the parliamentary office shifting the trajectory of the Mottley administration’s policies as two bills make their way to the Senate.
Bishop Joseph Atherley, who became the sole dissenting voice in the House of Assembly shortly after the 2018 election, joined political commentators in speculating that Thorne’s upcoming picks for the Senate could have a significant impact on the upcoming Cybercrime Bill and Labour Clauses (Concessions) Bill, both of which have sparked heated debate in recent weeks.
As opposition leader in the House of Assembly, Thorne can now nominate two opposition figures to sit in the Upper Chamber.
Bishop Atherley also looked ahead to another constitutional impact of Thorne becoming opposition leader – convening the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the opposition-led House overseer on government spending.
Atherley, who defected from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) after the party’s 30-0 win in 2018 to become opposition leader, told Barbados TODAY that if Thorne is sincere in his belief that constructive criticism should be offered in Parliament, the island would benefit greatly.
“If he has genuinely gone across there to ensure that we have what would be a properly constituted Parliament, where there is opposition representation through physical presence and a legitimate voice; if he has gone to pursue [at] a different level, the interest of Barbados, preservation of democracy, parliamentary institution and the practice we associate with it; if he has gone across there to give constructive criticism to government policy and government position; if he has gone across there to be truly analytical, then it augurs well for Barbados,” he said.
“If he has gone across there to make sure that the committee system in the Parliament functions, particularly so the Public Accounts Committee; if he has gone across there to give expression to the alternative voice in Barbados, then that would certainly do Barbados well.”
Bishop Atherley added: “We need to have in the Parliament of Barbados a properly structured opposition. I had always hoped that somebody would be bold enough and selfless enough to do what Mr Thorne has done. I think Mr Thorne is seeking to ensure that Parliament functions.”
The former opposition leader stressed that though Throne will have his convictions on why he chose this time to make such a major move, he will have to remain steadfast in his belief to provide a much-needed alternative view and push back during upcoming debates.
“He will have to be bold, and seriously committed to what he is doing, and when the negatives come, recognise that is part of life in the political fray,” the former opposition leader said. “Mr Thorne has taken on a big one here, even with regular weekly debates in Parliament, [he] is going to have to deal with that. The office is not properly staffed and properly funded, I think that is something that needs to be looked at. He will need to bring wisdom and prudence and get some guidance in terms of the significant appointments that will now fall to him to recommend to the President. It is going to be challenging, but I am sure Mr Thorne is of the stature and status and disposition that he can give it a good go. I really wish him well.”
When a team from Barbados TODAY travelled to Thorne’s Christ Church South riding, some residents said the writing was on the wall in their opinion and gave Thorne his full support.
One man said: “I expected the walls to come tumbling down at any time, and seeing that Ralph Thorne is such a guy of such high intellect, integrity, and character, he is the ideal person to come over, sit on the opposition and make a difference in Barbados. In terms of accountability, in terms of mortality . . . . I know Ralph Thorne very well. He was raised in a Christian home and he still has that value. He is right for Barbados at this time.”
Just as Atherley did, the resident expressed hope that Thorne would focus on the PAC.
He said: “I wish him well with the Public Accounts Committee, and I hope that the Public Accounts Committee will not be hindered. The government is still a two-thirds majority strong as I understand it; I don’t know if any other persons will cross with him . . . [but] I hope the Public Accounts Committee will be able to function unhindered in Barbados.”
Another resident said he hoped the move would be of benefit to Barbadians in the long run, even if Thorne chooses to rejoin the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
“What happens next is the million-dollar question. Does it benefit Bajans at large, or is history repeating itself? Regardless of if he joins the DLP or not, he needs to get the right team around him, but I wish him well. I hope that whatever Mr Thorne does is for the benefit of Bajans, and not just for a political party and the few associates that they rub shoulders with on a daily basis.”
A vendor at the Oistins Fisheries Complex declared: “I’m with Mr Ralph Thorne, I am backing him all the way. I was surprised but I know Ralph Thorne longer than politics . . . . I with him all the way.” (SB)
