Walcott: B’dians ready for a fresh start

BARBADIANS rejoicing across the land, in reaction to Thursday’s announcement that May 24 is the date for the 2018 General Election, is an indication that Barbadians are “dun with Dem” and are looking to make a fresh start under new leadership.

This is the view of General Secretary and Campaign Manager of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Dr. Jerome Walcott, who also stated yesterday during a press conference, held at the Party’s Roebuck Street headquarters, that many Barbadians see Election Day as one of deliverance. Nomination Day is May 7.

Dr. Walcott said the past ten years under the Dems have been tough for the vast majority of citizens. He stressed that Barbados’ once-thriving economy plummeted into decline, largely due to mismanagement, incompetence and a striking failure of leadership.

“The high standard of public services fell, despite the imposition of the most punitive tax measures in our nation’s history. The Barbadian taxpayer is no longer getting value for money. Potholes have become the order of the day on our roads.

“For ten months now, raw sewage has flowed intermittently on the most travelled streets of the south coast. Instead of fixing the problem, the Prime Minister makes excuses. This ‘leader’ tells us sewage is flowing on the streets of foreign cities too,” he said.

The Campaign Manager went on to say that the hopes of countless young Barbadians have been shattered, and the inability to pay tuition fees has deprived them of the opportunity to get a university education. He said this great act of betrayal by the Dems came after the Prime Minister said making Barbadians pay to attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) would be a retrograde step.

“A BLP administration will reintroduce free university education for our students at UWI,” he said.

“Additionally, our hardworking public servants have not had a pay increase in ten years. In the meantime, the cost of living just kept soaring and soaring. You will recall that bringing down prices was job number 1, 2 and 3 when the Dems assumed office. By their many about-turns over the last ten years, the Dems have shown quite clearly that their word is not their bond,” Dr. Walcott said.

The General Secretary stressed that after ten years of stagnation, the Barbados economy needs breathing space to grow again, a space which he noted the BLP is ready to create. He said beginning with the removal of the crippling National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), the policies of the BLP will facilitate economic growth, alluding to the fact that sustained economic growth means more opportunities.

“Opportunities for more jobs and a better life overall for citizens. This is the mission of the Barbados Labour Party. We have delivered for Barbados before; we will deliver for Barbados again. The BLP is best for Barbados,” he said.

Dr. Walcott pointed out that everyone, “except the most die-hard Dems”, agree that Barbados stands today at a crossroad, and stated that it is time for serious discussion. (AH)