Pilgrim: Stop selling fear
YOU cannot sell fear in exchange for hope.
This is the message from the General Secretary of the Democratic Labour Party, George Pilgrim, to the leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley, against the backdrop of recently revealed plans for a March of Disgust against the Freundel Stuart administration next week.
Pilgrim opined that the agenda of the BLP continues to be corrosive and charged that a “platform of hate and division is being created in the country”. He further charged that no one went marching when a former Central Bank Governor lost his job under the BLP administration back in 1999, adding that the march is a self-serving move for the Opposition leader.
As it relates to economic issues affecting the island, Pilgrim stated that Barbadians are not fools, noting that the issues are being vented in the public domain. “The government of Barbados prints money. Full stop. Corporation taxes declined mainly from offshore sector since 2009 by 200 million per year; Transfers are up by only 50 million over the period we were in office; commercial banks are not buying Government paper which helps create the shortfall, hence the Central Bank picks up the slack... Hence printing of money,” he pointed out.
“We print money to ensure this country’s fabric and its people are secured. It’s not the best option. Government bills have to be paid. Salaries and wages of public servants translate to families and homes surviving in this society and why should this party apologise for keeping public servants in jobs?” he added.
Notwithstanding, he said it would be disingenuous to say that the DLP government is not hard at work trying to improve the current outlook.
Some of the positives outlined by Pilgrim include a decrease in unemployment; growth in economy reported at 1.6 per cent; positive reports from the island’s main tourism driver, jobs, hotels and investment on the horizon.
“Barbados ... Please try to understand ... The calls for cuts from the opposition will cause major fallout,” he stated, adding that last year President of the Party told the General Council that he does not intend to dislodge families when responding to the issue of job cuts.
“The Opposition is aware of the compendium of issues facing the region, rating agencies ratings, Brexit, new Republican Administration, OECD charge against us, CARICOM’s burden with trade agreements, managing our reserves for sure. These are very difficult times for small open economies,” Pilgrim further noted.
“Our response to all theses issues help inform investors but principally... investors like a stable political climate where there is a respect for the rule of law. Barbadians must judge not only the Democratic Labour Party because we are already on trial as a party in office, but you must also ask if the opposition is really offering a solution,” he urged.
He said the policies adopted by the DLP under trying times reflect the most appropriate response to the environment. Pilgrim stated that while international agencies and the business community make calls for cuts, they are referring to sending home thousands of workers from the public service.
“So international agencies focus on making sure people are sent home and that the cost of charge for services sky rocket.
“We still continue to roll out everyday a public transport system. We haven’t bought any buses, I’m not the Minister of Public Works and Transport but I have heard on good authority that the government is about to purchase some buses. That is a fact. I have heard on good authority that the MTW will soon be rolling out a massive roadworks programme. That’s a fact. I have heard on good authority that thousands of tablets and equipment for secondary schools are sitting in the port about to be released. That is a fact,” he stated.
Pilgrim acknowledged that while there was recent criticism by the private sector about the leadership, he noted that leadership in the public and private sectors have different responsibilities and expectations.
“The public sector has a responsibility to the poor and vulnerable. Leadership in the private sector has a responsibility to profit,” he said. (JH)