Dear Editor,
Barbadians have shown the rest of the Caribbean how to regularly change their government. Although the ruling BLP had performed creditably over the last three terms in office and although they liked their incumbent Prime Minister, they voted for change. As I had written before the election (08.01.13), voters told me they loved Owen Arthur but felt they had had enough of his political presence on the scene. Arthur won his seat comfortably but several of his colleagues were blown away. The voters felt that 14 consecutive years was enough for one party in office and wanted change. And they now turn to the DLP under first time Prime Minister David Thompson.
Barbados has had a history of alternating its government between the DLP and BLP ever since self rule was granted. And the island is one of the few that has experienced good governance since colonial times. It is the “least corrupt” among Caribbean nations and has one of the lowest incidence of crime. Members of parliament service their communities and are not as arrogant as those in the rest of the region. It is not a coincidence that arrogant politicians are rejected at the polls. The Bhajan people don’t allow their politicians “to eye pass” them. It is not like in Guyana where if you are incompetent and you abuse the people, you are promoted.
Several other territories have also experienced political change over the last two years and more could happen this and next year. Trinidad escaped political change last year because the opposition party was split into two factions (UNC under Basdeo Panday and COP under Winston Dookeran).
In Guyana, there is not much of a choice. People are not happy with the opposition so the incumbent wins comfortably. However, people are expressing restlessness with the 15 year old PPP administration and talk of change is abuzz in many circles in various communities.
The outcome of the Barbados contest was not entirely unexpected because of their long spell in office. Other societies should emulate the Bajan model. When politicians become arrogant, are not servicing their constituents, are becoming corrupt, and when they feel they are irreplaceable, vote them out. Change is good for political cleansing and the rooting out of the corrupt amongst society.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
