Ordinary Barbadians being turned away from politics
LAMENTING that some “ordinary” Barbadians are being rejected from political parties in order to reserve spaces for others in the political class, political leader Lynette Eastmond is giving the assurance that all are welcome at the United Progressive Party (UPP) as it fills its slate of candidates for the upcoming general election.
Speaking on Sunday evening the campaign launch for Maria Phillips who will be vying for the St. Michael North West constituency, Eastmond stated that there is a concerted effort to keep certain people out of politics.
“I know of individuals in Barbados, capable individuals, wanting to make a contribution to their country. They would go to these parties and speak to one of the leaders and they would say ‘... I would wish to be a candidate, and you know what they tell you? ‘I don’t really think this is for you.’
“Capable people. People that benefit form the education that you helped to pay for.”
“Because the whole idea is that they are supposed to be a political class and the people in that political class are to protect it for them, for people like them and for their children. The ordinary people of Barbados who under universal adult suffrage have the right to be a candidate are dissuaded from doing so. So when you ask when some of the best people are not coming forward. It is because they are discouraged by politicians from coming forward. Because it is a dirty game.”
“It is designed to keep the people who really care about the people of Barbados out of politics,” she lamented.
Eastmond, a former Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development in a Barbados Labour Party Cabinet also lambasted the state of politics at this time which she says is a deterrent for political hopefuls “because it has become a nasty game”.
Eastmond also told supporters bedecked in bright orange shirts that there are still persons that believe the UPP was started out of spite.
“Do you know how hard this is? Do you think it is easy setting up meetings all over Barbados. It is hard. Where do you get the money from to do it? You pull your own pocket to do it.”
“And you would have a set of ignorant people walking around trying to say you started a party to spite somebody. Well let me say, this song is not about you. This is something that a number of people have been thinking about for years. How do you make Barbados better? How do you get Barbadians to understand that a democracy is about the participation of all the people.”
“There is no way that I can come to Eden Lodge and tell you what is good for you in Eden Lodge without hearing from you. You have to hear from all the people in order to make policy decisions. But unfortunately a lot of Barbadians have been sold the notion that you vote for a couple of people and then you can’t ask or tell them anything, you can’t suggest anything for your community. We want to bring that to an end,” she said.
Eastmond also revealed that the UPP will be advancing a health and wellness policy to be linked with an agricultural policy. This she said would cut down the number of persons having to seek medical care at the hospital. (JH)