Thorne slams Govt’s handling of Drax Hall Plantation sale

Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne is not impressed with how the government has handled the proposed acquisition of the Drax Hall Plantation in St George for housing.

The government had initially announced plans to pay £3 million (about BDS$7.5 million) for the land from British Conservative MP Richard Drax, under a compulsory acquisition deal, but backtracked amid a public outcry.

“The ongoing issue with the Drax lands in St George highlights this government’s tendency to vacillate on decisions,” Thorne declared. “They announced they would pay for the lands, only to change their position days later in typical fashion.”

He pointed to the perceived irony that Trevor Prescod, the government’s special envoy on reparations, appeared to oppose the purchase given Drax Hall’s links to slavery. 

“The consultant on reparations prescribed a different position, leading the government to reverse course,” he said. “The irony is that this is a government with a record number of consultants, [but] it is clear to us that this government does not consult…. What comes to light here is that government has a consultant on reparations; government makes the decision, announces the decision to Barbadians, and then the consultant on reparations prescribes a different position. He having prescribed a different position, government then changes its position.”

While acknowledging the government was constitutionally correct in not seizing property without compensation, Thorne argued there were moral considerations. 

“Good law embraces morality,” he said. “This issue exposes the dithering nature of this government’s approach.”

The opposition leader accused the administration of being in a “state of confusion”, asserting: “The confusion related to Drax reflects government’s general confusion. This issue exposes the dithering nature of this government’s approach to public policy”.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in announcing the suspension of the land acquisition, defended the constitutional principle of not seizing private property without proper compensation. (SB)