Happy 68th Conference BLP

 

Over five hundred delegates from the Barbados Labour Party will assemble in the School Hall of Harrison College this week end for their annual dialogue on the way forward for our Nation and to hear from their party leader.

The Conference will attract broad national interest for a number of reasons. The main reason however, will be to get a perspective with respect to the party’s policy on a number of critical issues confronting the country.

The mood among delegates is expected to be a celebratory one. The Government has performed remarkably well and the delegates will want to express their appreciation. They will review the impressive developments taking place within the country as well as the many positive reports Barbados received from international agencies. Reports coming out of our Central Bank, Small Business Development Agency, The Coalition of Service Providers and the Social Partnership all tell the story of a developing country enroute to first world status.

On the international front, the high credit rating received from a number highly respected credit rating agencies, our passing grade for good governance, transparency and zero level of corruption and our investment in our human capital are all evidence of a government that has accepted that its only reason to govern is to advance the welfare of every Barbadian.

It is against this background that this Barbados Labour Party takes very strong offence to the comments made by Senator Freundel Stuart at a political meeting in Wotton, Christ Church. Senator Stuart is reported to have said that prior to the BLP coming to office in 1994, there was one Barbados, but now there are two. He said the first are the masses of people and the second a small class of people who are in control of the society and he asked the question how did this happen in twelve short years? Stuart’s statement is not borne out by any empirical evidence. Such sentiments have their genesis in the Josef Goebels theory which says that if you tell a lie big enough and often enough the people will believe it.

A closer examination of the Stuart’s statement reveal that the early 1990s was a very hard and turbulent period for a vast majority of Barbadians but in particular our artisans, maids, public servants, housewives and the youth. The DLP government of the day had cut public servants salaries, sent home three thousand workers, an increase in unemployment to over 23% and a reduction in severance payments. The DLP had presided over the greatest level of deprivation ever known to Barbadians. Further evidence shows that on July 4^th, 1994, a letter from the Ministry of Finance to the General Manager of Sandy Lane Hotel granted in     excess of one hundred million dollars in concessions for the development of golf courses.

But what has BLP done? Today, thousands of Barbadians have been removed from both the income tax and the property tax rolls and over 18’000 now receive $500.00 per annum as the reverse tax credit. In addition countless young men and women are now gainfully involved in wholesome activity as part of Project Oasis. Nearly 30’000 new jobs have been created by this caring BLP administration. What a contrast.

The Barbados Labour Party goes into conference this weekend fully cognizant of its achievements and the need to continue to strive for gold. Barbadians are welcomed to come and hear The Father of First World Barbados as Prime Minister Arthur will as usual deliver a comprehensive address to his party and country.

 

 

Investor Confidence High

Is there a rush by foreign investors to purchase the Barbados Hilton Hotel? There can be no doubt that investors are interested in Barbados. International private capital will look to find the place where it can make the greatest return. Certainly it cannot be a bad thing if that community is interested in Barbados.

In fact high investor confidence represents a ringing endorsement of the economic policies of the Owen Arthur administration. Everyone familiar with investment knows that the ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment means that the country is very strong from both a political and a socio-economic perspective.

There has been a deliberate policy over the past decade to ensure that the business and investment climate in Barbados is right. Thus Barbados’ high rating by international agencies should not come as a surprise. Over time this BLP administration has engaged in tax reform by reducing corporation taxes from 40% to 25%; a new intellectual property framework was implemented; competition and consumer protection policies were enshrined to support vibrant market conditions; and information technology is being pursued to ensure our competitiveness.

Prime Minister Arthur, now rightfully deemed “The Father of First World Barbados” has said repeatedly that it cannot be business as usual. We are in a competitive environment and must be truly entrepreneurial. We must be agile and must express the kind of business savvy not required previously. This is one of the reasons that we have moved to strategic planning for Barbados through the Barbados National Strategic Plan. Our investment in the Hilton Hotel is now realising substantial gains and has contributed to the creation of a number of jobs in the tourism sector. This reflects a modern outlook for modern times. It must become endemic to Barbadians that they should not only be recipients of foreign investment but that they too should become foreign investors. Our vision must go beyond 432 sq. km.

The DLP, garbed in desperation, now seeks to turn basic principle on its head. Is foreign investment in the Hilton a bad thing? Would a future DLP government not use foreign capital to assist in the country’s continued development? If so, they would be the only non-communist administration taking such a position. Indeed it would run counter to the vision of the Rt. Excellent Errol Barrow.

From as early as the mid-1960s the DLP Government had a deliberate policy of attracting foreign investors to invest in Barbadian assets, including land. This is reflected in legislation like the Pioneer Industries Act, the Fiscal Incentives Act and the International Business Companies Act. Contrary to what Mr. Thompson might think and sadly he was never a great thinker, locals also benefited from these concessions. It was for the sole purpose of attracting foreign investment that agencies like BIDC were established.

Investor confidence is high not only amongst foreign investors but amongst our own investors both large and small. Every day new businesses are being established, existing businesses are expanding, new modern facilities are being opened, and businesses are re-branding their product offerings. Barbados is abuzz with opportunity. The business climate is vibrant. We are building a Barbados where all will share in its prosperity not just the few from the “Fatted Calf” stall. We will not go back to the hellish days of 1991 where not a foreign investor was in sight, the country was politically and economically unstable, and we were fighting over the scraps of a shrinking economy.

 

 

Indicted and Condemned DLP

If ever confirmation was needed that explained the vast difference between the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party on the issue of unemployment it was provided by David Estwick in the Sunday Sun newspaper of October 8^th, 2006.

His criticism of the BLP for employing some 6,000 persons in the public service since 1994 is a criticism for which we are happy to bear. When we think of the many thousands who are now better able to feed, clothe and house themselves and their family as a direct result of this increase in employment then we are satisfied that we have served our purpose as a political party.

 

When we came to office in 1994, the number of persons unemployed stood at over 32,000 persons, a colossal waste of human resources. When we think of the countless number who were going to bed hungry and who were unable to look after their basic needs and that of their families we were saddened.

 

Since then we have seen the creation of over 32,000 new jobs in this country. Of this number more than 26,000 were in the private sector whose revival was accelerated by the enlightened policies of this BLP administration. Thus, Estwick’s claim that the private sector was not involved in the process of job creation is without foundation. But we have come to expect that from Dr. Estwick, who has become known for quoting figures noisily with misplaced bravado.

 

Barbadians can now speak with certainty of the manner in which these two political parties perform in situations of adversity. The 1991 self-induced crisis saw the DLP Government responding by sending home approximately 3,000 public servants, cutting the salaries of those remaining among other non-productive tactics. We all know first hand the disastrous results of that misguided DLP/IMF policy.

 

After the events of September 11, 2001 the BLP’s approach to that adversity was different to that of the DLP. Realising the effects of high unemployment, the Arthur administration boldly tackled the problems which this country faced without losing of a single job in the public sector. The good example set was followed by the private sector and we are all the beneficiaries of the BLP’s enlightened stance.

 

The DLP have always slavishly followed the harsh IMF policies. We all remember that after the 1991 crisis, they had an IMF operative running the Ministry of Finance for which Thompson was therefore performing a sitting-duck role. We saw them in Parliament at budget time seemingly rejoicing at the pressure they were putting on the people of Barbados. Thompson in the only budget he will deliver to this country remarked that he knew the IMF, he knew what they wanted and they knew us and what we wanted. No wonder the DLP is now promoting standard IMF policy for the country.

 

It is therefore no wonder that they were about to raise bus fares, NHC rents, water rates, to name a few items. No wonder they were in discussion with the World Bank on the issue of fees at the Polytechnic, the Community College and the University of the West Indies. It is also little wonder that they voted against legislation brought by the BLP to prevent any future administration from cutting salaries.

 

The DLP cares nothing for sound economic policy. They are more concerned with impressions and innuendo than facts and people to say that government should have not increase public sector employment is an indication that they do not grasp the important role that this sector plays in our economic affairs.

 

They now stand indicted and condemned.

 

Ellerton We are Coming

The second mass meeting in the series “Conversation with the Nation” will be held tonight in Ellerton from 7:00.

There will be a fantastic line up of speakers to include Mr. Louis Tull and of course the Prime Minister of Barbados.

Come out tonight in your numbers as we address the issues confronting this country with respect to the cost of living.

We will also look forward to Ian Gill making  his first presentation to the people of St.George South as the new candidate for the constituency.

Full Marks on Energy Pricing

The Barbados Labour Party has delivered big time when it comes to providing safe reliable energy products to the people at the most reasonable price available. This is in sharp contrast to the Dems who have always seen these commodities as instruments of taxation. The price reduction announced this week is another reminder of the difference between the two sides. We fully recognize the effect energy prices have on the economy and have been very careful to implement policies that have resulted in benefits to consumers and businesses alike.

In 1962, the DLP entered into a disastrous arrangement with Mobil that caused problems for the economy for years. An inefficient refinery was allowed to operate giving this country neither the security it craved nor the best prices it desired. As a result of the small size and inefficiency of the operation, Barbadians were called upon to pay about 25 cents per gallon more for products and this only added to the cost of living.Furthermore, the refinery was allowed a 12.5% rate of return on its capital employed including accounts receivables. A monopoly was therefore allowed to operate resulting in Barbadians paying high prices for energy.

The BLP always railed against the one-sided nature of the agreement and when the Dems were about to extend the life of the agreement for a further 25 years, this Barbados Labour Party went public with our protest. As a result, Mobil was only given a ten-year extension. The BLP had thus saved the country from further grief.

The Dems, with their myopic view of things, had always seen energy products as avenues to raise revenue notwithstanding its effect on the economy. Thus in 1994, when the cost of gasoline was $1.54 per litre, a whopping 89 cents went straight to government’s coffers. A similar thing obtained for diesel. Since 1994 we have systematically reduced the tax take to the extent that today, when gasoline is retailed at $2.21 per litre, the total tax take is only 59 cents per litre. This reduction in tax of over $1.15 per gallon has a positive effect on both the cost of living and the cost of doing business.

In addition, this BLP administration has reduced the tax on diesel by $1.00 per gallon while at the same time completely removing the tax on fuel oil used in the production of electricity and kerosene which is used by the poorest in our nation. One of the first acts of the BLP in 1994 was to remove the tax on all inputs to the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The introduction of the VAT system also helped since that tax was now returnable as the offset principle is used in the final calculation of the VAT.

The BLP will always take credit for the impressive use of solar energy in our country. Under Tom Adams, tax concessions were given to householders that encouraged them to use solar energy. This has worked well and today solar is now the product of choice for householders. The DLP, under orders from the IMF, removed the concession on solar installation which we in the BLP reintroduced.Today,
Barbados is seen as a model country worldwide in the use of alternative energy.

Our energy policy is simply outstanding. The whole of
Barbados has benefited from the vision and leadership of the BLP in this important area of public policy. We will continue to work on behalf of our people.

Gas Price Reduction

At a very successful mass meeting in Bridge Road last night the Minister of Energy announced that gas and diesel prices would be reduced in Barbados as the price of oil had been reduced. This saving will be passed on to the consumer.

This is welcome relief from the high oil prices that we have been suffering from and we look forward to a concomitant reduction in prices from service providers and merchants so that this saving can be reflected in all aspects of doing business in Barbados which had been so adversely affected by the original rise in oil prices.

This is in contrast to the last DLP administration which took 90 cents in Tax for every litre of gas when oil was just $15.00 this administration tax cut is 59 cents when oil prices are at $67.00.  They say they are interested in the welfare of poor people. What hypocrisy? This administration continues to shield and support in word and deed all the people of Barbados. Still there is a lot of work to be done. 

First Mass Meeting

The first in a series of  meetings will be held by the Barbados Labour Party tonight Sunday 1st October at 7:00 at the corner of  Bridge Road and Glendairy Road.

This series is entitled Conversation with the Nation.

Speakers for tonight will be  The Prime Minister Owen Arthur, The Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Minister of Social Tranformation Trevor Prescod, Minister of Tourism Noel Lynch, Ministers of State in Finance and the Prime Minister’s Office Clyde Mascoll and Rev. Joseph Atherley and candidiates David Gill and Jeffrey Bostic.

The meeting will be chaired by former Minister Clyde Griffith.

We encourage you all to come out and participate.

A major anouncement which has a significant impact on all of our lives will be made tonight.