ECONOMIC VIEWPOINT: What is our economic mirror image?

We all know about the famous ‘Mirror Image’ speech which was so eloquently delivered by Errol Barrow, the Father of Independence, back in 1986, on the occasion of the party’s introduction of its 27 General Elections candidates.

I have spoken to certain other tenets of the speech, in another space, but that speech meant so much more.

It was a clarion call for individual and societal responsibility. It was a call for Barbadians to recognise their own power as citizens of this country and for them to realise that they control the actions of those whom they choose to govern their affairs for any particular period.

It was a robust speech. It was a speech which called for a raising of the collective consciousness to show that the collective electorate possessed the real power within the society. He also called for Barbadians to be proud of the country which they have and to ensure that those who they chose to lead said country, recognised what their roles should be. “Your mirror image of yourself is that your ambition in life is to try and get away from this country. And we could call ourselves an independent nation? When all we want to do is go and scrub somebody’s floors and run somebody’s elevator or work in somebody’s store or drive somebody’s taxi in a country where you catching your royal when the winter sets in? What kind of mirror image do you have of yourself?”  Barrow said at the time.

This type of thinking was the impetus for this column. In a time of hyper-partisanship, as the country moves towards another by-election, occasioned by a resignation of a long-standing Member of Parliament, Barbadians have significant questions to ask themselves. Will we the people be swayed solely by a personality contest or a true examination of the performance of this island’s economy and the impact which it has had on the constituency which is currently seeking to elect its newest representative?

We are in a critical stage of our development as a country. This island’s citizens are facing significant challenges which have been exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19. Businesses are either closing or cutting back spending and are being guided by the actions of Government, which started the process of the down-sizing of its operations.

The unions have been muzzled with top brass singing the praises of the process, whilst members have been forced out of regular work.   All this while Cabinet effectively remains the same size and consultants are getting paid. Companies have received tax relief, with prices increasing, inflation rising, yet Government has yet to admit that this island has been in recession since August 2018.

These are not the normal, vote for me just because times. People need to ascertain what this island’s economic mirror-image really is?

With the island barreling towards the inevitability of a Republic (what is there to stop Government politically?) We have to find out what will be our economic mirror-image after that process is complete?

All of the political stage-craft and the incessant public relations, does not allow us to forget what led to this state in our country. The media continues to allow Government to skate by without facing the same scrutiny that former Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Chris Sinckler faced in the last five years of the last Administration. It is a dereliction of duty, encapsulated in the lure of personality, in a time when the media is needed to be as impartial in matters of this magnitude.

But our economic mirror-image must tie into our foreign policy. We continue to hear precious little from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and this is unforgivable.   

What about our existing economic relationships and trading relationships going to look like after we achieve Republican status?

We need to have a serious discussion without the catch-phrases.

Our mirror image demands that Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade speaks to the country about relations with global trading blocs and potential impacts which could be faced as we move towards this achievement.

Barrow, in his speech, referenced the attitude of Singapore and how they believed in their country.  He opined that the citizens continue to ensure that their country was on the right trajectory. “They have a mirror image of themselves. They have self-respect. They have a desire to move their country forward by their own devices. They are not waiting for anybody to come and give them handouts. And there is no unemployment.

Is that the mirror image that you have of yourselves?

Can anyone answer that question?