Let Down by DLP

With the conclusion of the 2009-2010 Estimates Debate this week another major milestone in the life of the present Government has come and gone and the David Thompson Administration is yet to play a scoring shot off the front foot.

It is becoming clearer and clearer that despite all of his bravado before the election and since, that Thompson is uncomfortable in his Prime Ministerial skin.

There is a lack of confidence that erupts like a case of teenage acne whenever his handling of the economy is questioned. That it has now spread to other areas of his government’s policy, namely the Constituency Councils, does not bode well for his longevity.

But back to the Estimates Debate.

It was easily the most uninspiring opening presentation by a Minister of Finance in recent memory. There was no lucid picture of the current economic circumstances that we face as a nation and consequently the areas that the government would be targeting for either revenue or expenditure. While the country waited for some sign or signal to inspire confidence the screen remained blank.

There were lots of snapshots of Barbados’ leadership role in Caricom, regurgitated from a speech delivered two days earlier at a branch meeting, but even here there was little attempt to place its importance into an economic context.   There was also a recitation of some economic figures without any illustration of their context or meaning to the situation we face today.

As the Debate progressed and questions from the Opposition raised the pressure – there was a bilious outburst on the final day that now characterizes the Prime Minister’s response to legitimate criticism.

It is human nature that people will reflect on the previous tenure of the Prime Minister as Minister of Finance. For some there will be bitter memories, for others there will be skepticism and still others may be nervous.   Unfortunately, the Prime Minister fed into these emotions by a lackluster and less than complete analysis of where we are and where he intends to take us.

Perhaps if he would simply buckle down to the task at hand, then all the old questions of competency would disappear and he could bury the ghosts of 1991. There are some things that do not derive any benefit from an attempt at being different. One plus one equals two – no matter how you say it and people just want the facts, pure and simple!

 

Mia Mottley and Owen Arthur were able to clearly show that given the Government’s own figures that their revenue targets were in all probability unattainable and that the deficit would likely skyrocket to $1 billion.

This is against rapidly falling foreign reserves, declining export earnings and foreign investment. The further creation of credit by Government to finance this deficit in this environment will only put the country into a deeper hole.  It is precisely this lack of understanding and confidence that will not help us at this time when there must be urgent stabalisation of our economy and people’s jobs.

Insecurity on the Government benches scorns Opposition suggestions, while uncertainty heralds a unified approach to national problems. Maturity should dictate that the two cannot operate in tandem.

The Democratic Labour Party has approached governing like a twenty twenty cricket match.  Plenty of rash shots with no recognizable form or technique. It is time they learn that a five-year term – is much more like a test match where you have the opportunity to build an innings to win the game.

Stick to the basics and occupying the crease becomes much more enjoyable and productive. The people of Barbados sent them into bat and are looking for a big score.

So far they have been horribly let down.