Thorne rips new electricity legislation as favouring corporate interests

Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne launched a scathing critique of the new Electricity Supply Bill in the House of Assembly on Monday, describing it as legislation that prioritises the interests of Barbados Light and Power Company over consumers and marginalises the Fair Trading Commission (FTC).

Thorne declared: “Let the record clearly reflect that this opposition will not, cannot, and does not intend to vote for this legislation.”

The lone opposition voice in the House warned that the bill would leave Barbadians, particularly vulnerable consumers, “at the mercy of a powerful utility without adequate regulatory oversight”.

“This legislation represents the interests of Light and Power, diminishes the interests of the consumer, marginalises the Fair Trading Commission, and further empowers the government through the offices of a single minister,” Thorne declared.

His address centred on what he perceived as an imbalance between corporate interests and citizens’ rights. He argued that the government had failed to provide assurances that the bill would lower electricity costs, a key concern for many households grappling with high utility bills.

“The public understands that this legislation that comes to the House today touches and concerns the interests of Barbados Light and Power, and it touches and concerns the interests of the consumers, the citizens of this country, in their powerlessness,” he said.

Thorne emphasised the government’s responsibility to protect consumers: “The citizens of this country must always expect that a government will defend their positions of powerlessness in relation to the great power that resides in large corporations.”

A significant point of contention was the increased ministerial power introduced by the bill. Thorne warned that allowing a minister to decide disputes between licence holders and utility companies undermines the principle of natural justice.

“Ministerial power is increased by this legislation, and it is so increased that it breaches the principle of natural justice,” he argued. “The minister, under this bill, has been given the power to decide on a dispute between licence power and a licensee. A minister ought not to have that power.”

The opposition leader drew parallels between the current bill and the 2023 amendment to the Utilities Regulation Act, suggesting a concerning trend of the government assuming more control at the expense of independent regulatory bodies like the FTC.

The FTC is a quasi-judicial body that seeks to regulate pricing, or, in essence, to control corporations which are utility providers, Thorne noted. “This bill has marginalised the Fair Trading Commission [and] as we all know, it is there to protect and defend consumers in this country against high pricing.”

The opposition leader accused the government of systematically undermining the FTC’s authority, rendering it ineffective in its duty to protect consumers from “monopolistic” practices and rising costs.

He called on the administration to reconsider its approach and prioritise the interests of the people over those of large corporations.

“Let them pass this unjust legislation tonight. Let them visit the people of Barbados tonight with the reality that they have brought legislation in here which pertains not to the furtherance of the interests of the people of this country, which entrenches the interests of Barbados Light and Power,” Thorne said.