EDITORIAL: Focus on true message

Whatever the outcome of today’s US Presidential elections, it is safe to say the world has followed its myriad twists and turns with bated breath. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have tried their best to sway voters, especially undecided ones, to make a choice based on the country’s interests, outright stating that the other candidate is not best suited as leader. In witnessing whichever version of history is recorded, therefore, we know these results will be a talking point for many years to come.

 

Barbadians are not constitutionally due to face the polls for some time, but it is clear the political machinery has started to grind; at the very least, candidates have been elected by the Opposition to contest their various constituencies and some groundwork has begun. As the Democratic Labour Party, Barbados Labour Party and other minor parties examine their internal processes, it is timely to look at what areas of our system could also be refined.

 

Campaigns on public platforms tend to focus less on what is good for the country and how to tackle worrying issues and more on salacious tidbits that keep the crowd amused and entertained. One result of this status quo is that some people avoid the ballot box because they feel that, according to Barbadian parlance, “six is half-dozen” – meaning both political parties are the same thing and voting one or the other will make no difference. 

 

It is unfortunate that those citizens see their contribution as negligible.

 

On the other hand, a subculture has developed in recent years – one could even term it the “what have you done for me lately” syndrome. Rearing its head sharply during general elections, especially where vote-buying is alleged to take place, the matter of deciding an election seems less to do with the policies of the candidate and more with how that candidate can financially or in kind appease a constituent. Admittedly, it is likely a minority of voters who indulge in this practice, but for a people who were not always enfranchised, it is nonetheless disheartening.

 

The challenge for our political directorate is to remind our populace of just why it is so important to cast a ballot, why the voting process is an important democratic right to be exercised by those of legal age. Our country has been blessed with a stable, peaceful system of governance of elections for over 50 years and regardless of differences across the aisles, we know political parties endeavour to continue that trend, to continue to make Barbados more sustainable, productive and be a leader among developing countries. 

 

It is time to speak on more than rhetoric and the shopping list of faults. If we learn nothing else from our North American neighbours, it must be that political lashes have little traction if the public is fed up of tired, trite games or discordant tones. What we need in Barbados during the election season and beyond is for political hopefuls to show what they can do for their country, how can they serve constituents and elevate the discourse surrounding voting to spark an interest in all, including those disavowed non-voters who remain nonchalant by the process and those only looking for handouts.

 

We hope that when our bell is rung, it will trigger the same type of fervour as the US elections – minus the bitter, divisive rhetoric. We hope for more analysis on principles, and less on personalities or parties, and for voters to engage, become actively involved in their inalienable, democratic right.