DLP bringing facts
WHILE some may soon be marching in disgust, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Freundel Stuart says the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) will soon be marching to triumph.
His comments came as he thanked the people of Barbados and the rank and file at the DLP’s mid-term conference yesterday, for their patience during difficult economic times.
He said the “politics of explanation” as was seen yesterday during the conference, will continue bringing Barbadians face-to-face with the facts. “Facts don’t get stale,” he stated.
The Prime Minister, who was the final person to speak at the day-long conference held under the theme: ‘Facts’, spoke on the issue of downgrades, reiterating that rating agencies can only downgrade Barbados’ credit worthiness, but not the numerous gains articulated by Ministers across the various Ministries of Government yesterday.
“The most they can do is say – if you want to go and borrow, because we have downgraded you, persons who might be inclined to lend you will make the money they want to lend you more expensive. But we are not looking to borrow. We are looking to earn foreign exchange, not borrow. We are looking to get away from that habit, to earning our way in the world,” he stated.
He conceded that in extreme circumstances one may have to go this route, but this will not be a first resort.
Prime Minister Stuart stressed that Government is seeking to put the economy on sounder footing than it was in 2008.
This, he predicts, will be realised through a flourishing cultural industries sector, an expansion of the renewable energy sector, which will cut down on foreign exchange being spent, an expanding tourism sector and further gains in the international business and financial services sector.
“We have nothing to be ashamed about. We have every reason to feel triumphant. Therefore the march of triumph begins today as we embark on our quest to the next General Election,” he said.
He told the party faithful that there is nothing to be disgusted about, rather they should be proud of the record of the various Ministries since the DLP took office and stressed that the Government of Barbados is not asleep, but busy discharging responsibilities across the island.
“It has been a very difficult period. No previous government has had to manage Barbados in circumstances as has the current government has had to do,” he said, adding that it requires certain strength of character, fixity of focus and understanding of dreams and philosophical commitments.
He said that he is assured the democratic socialist philosophies are in tact and are a solid testimony that the DLP is committed to exalting the humble and the meek, with people-centred polices, ensuring that humanitarian values and priorities rank higher than commercial values and commercial priorities.
“What we heard here today was not a gospel that has sought to promote the interest of any special set of individuals in this society. What we heard here today was a gospel that put at the centre the interest of the broad masses of the people of Barbados.”
The Prime Minister also told the audience that they should never underestimate the intelligence and insight of so-called “ordinary” Barbadians, since they are highly intelligent. “And they know real people from frauds,” he said. (JH)