Monitor them!

A COMMISSION that would monitor and reveal the names of which corporate organisations are helping to finance political parties must be instituted.

This call is being made by Independent Member of Parliament for Christ Church West, Dr. Maria Agard, who also said that the exact benefits that they receive as a result of political party financing must also be exposed to the public.

“I support a commission, Sir, that would regulate and control the extent of campaign financing that political parties receive from donors and the publishing and exposure of big name donors of political parties. We need to know who these people are and what privileges and contracts they enjoy from the public purse, when the party of their choice is elected to Government.”

Along this line, Dr. Agard stated that if and when it can be proven that certain private sector organisations are likely to receive contracts as a result of their financial support to any party, then these contracts should not be given to these organisations.

“And I fully support that donors should be prevented or limited from receiving contracts if there is evidence to suggest that the awarding of the contracts is a pay-back for election financing. When I speak about a resolution, this is what I am speaking about. Political parties must come under the control, the regulation and the will of the people, because in as much as they claim to be private institutions, their only objective for existing is to become the Government of the day, and to control the very public treasury and the people who elect them.”

The Christ Church West Independent Member added that it is a practice that must not be allowed to continue in this country.

“So Sir, if it is believed – and I am saying not stated – but if it is believed that private donors can purchase political parties and then control what they do in Government, the perception by the average person is that these threats are very real and ought not to be allowed to continue.”

Barbados Advocate

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