Walcott: DLP’s policy prescriptions not working
GENERAL Secretary of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Dr Jerome Walcott, is describing the latest economic report, presented on Wednesday by Central Bank Governor, Cleviston Haynes, as a reminder of why the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is desperately seeking to avoid discussion on the economy.
Dr Walcott has declared that Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, and Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler’s policy prescriptions are clearly not working.
The General Secretary, who is also managing the BLP’s 2018 campaign, spoke about the report which outlined that Barbados’ economy contracted by 0.7 per cent for the first three months this year, as he delivered remarks during a press conference held yesterday to officially announce plans for his Party’s campaign launch, scheduled to be held tomorrow at Weymouth.
“They are plunging Barbados deeper and deeper into the abyss of gloom and despair. We heard from the Central Bank Governor yesterday of a major setback for the economy. It has re-instated the realm of decline. Our economy has contracted by almost one per cent in the first quarter; historically government’s highest revenue earning period. Unemployment has gone up.
“Prices have soared because of the ill-advised NSRL. The foreign reserves situation remains grim. So much so that the Dems are now asking the private sector, whose advice they largely ignored, to come to the rescue by supplying foreign exchange,” Dr Walcott told a group of media personnel at the BLP Roebuck Street headquarters.
He suggested that these developments have an adverse effect on the spirit and welfare of Barbadians. Yet it does not seem to matter to the “power-obsessed” Dems, he charged. The General Secretary said the DLP believes that “cursing” BLP Leader Mia Mottley, is what Barbadians are interested in.
“Will cursing Mia and the BLP provide food for the hungry, a job for the unemployed, a lasting solution to the mess on the south coast, or fix the potholes on our roads? Cursing Mia will not.
The real issue is the glaring failure of the Dems to make a difference for Barbadians and the immense pain and suffering they have caused after promising so much.
“The Dems clearly have contempt for the intelligence of Barbadians. Otherwise, they would not be saying this campaign that Barbadians can trust them with their future. Or indeed, be boldly boasting that Barbadians will endorse their record of failure by re-electing them to a third term,” he said.
The General Secretary said Barbadians have a critical decision to make on May 24, the date set for the next General Election. He said they must choose whether they love the Dems more and love themselves less. Dr Walcott indicated that Barbadians must also choose whether they want to endure more pain and suffering at the hands of the DLP, or embrace the chance for a better life under a caring BLP government.
“We know Barbadians are smart. We know Barbadians will punish the Dems for their incompetence and contemptuous behaviour. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with Barbados. Under inspiring leadership which the BLP offers, the sky can again be the limit for Barbadians. It is the present DLP government which is the problem.
“It has so mismanaged the economy and demonstrated such incompetence over the past ten years that most stakeholders have lost confidence. Without confidence, an economy cannot achieve sustained growth. Without confidence, a country cannot succeed. A lack of confidence lies at the root of our problem.
“The Barbados Labour Party is the part of confidence. Barbadians say so. Without confidence, the private sector will not take risks. Barbadians have confidence in the BLP because of our track record. Our policies work. They stimulate economic activity and put more money in people’s pockets. The economy grows and everyone wins,” he said.
(AH)