Barbados political parties try to rally support as economic downturn continues

The ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is observing its first year in office by telling supporters that despite the ongoing economic crisis in Barbados, it was still confident that the policies in place will bear fruit. Finance Minister Chris Sinckler, addressed DLP supporters in the St Michael North constituencies on Sunday night by saying the Stuart administration had been able to hold the economy together and maintain adequate levels of foreign reserves up to May last year.

The government has been forced to implement a retrenchment program that would result in 3,000 public servants losing their jobs within the coming months with no rush to fill the vacancies. Sinckler, who has come under increasing pressure to step down as a result of the state of the local economy, also told supporters that the government had no choice but to institute the new economic strategy.

He indicated, “We did what we had to do to support the people of Barbados.” He also noted that the plan to send home workers was “the most painful decision any manager could have to make”. After admitting that he would not step down unless asked by Stuart to do so, Sinckler then added, “It would have been irresponsible not to do anything.”

He defiantly went on to say, “If I have to leave office you feel I’m going to go somewhere and cry? I ain’t going nowhere and cry. I’m in this to help my country. That is why I am here. I didn’t run anywhere to be minister of finance. I didn’t go to David Thompson on his death bed and beg him to be minister of finance. He called me, I didn’t call him.”

However, the opposition leader, Mia Mottley, has been calling for Sinckler’s removal and said she would carry out an in-depth analysis of the upcoming Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. She also demanded that the government give an account for every penny it plans to spend. She also advised supporters of the main opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) on Sunday night that it would not be business as usual when the government tables the fiscal package.

Mottley has accused the government of withholding data, creating a false picture of the economy and its debts while ignoring public concerns in the midst of its widespread lay-offs. Furthermore, the opposition legislator, Santia Bradshaw told the meeting that the time had come for peaceful demonstrations in the country.

“I want to put a placard in my hand and tell them they can’t silence me,” she said, adding “I have one question for Freundel Stuart and the Democratic Labour Party and I want them to go.“The Barbados Labour Party is ready to hit the road, and we are going to do so peacefully,” Bradshaw added. In the last general elections, the DLP won 16 of the 30 seats in the Parliament.

Source: Caribbean360