Barbados Labour Party blown away (LA VIE EST BIEN TRISTE)

The January 15th general elections at Barbados has been a great shock to its leader Owen Arthur but certainly no surprise to the Barbadian community based upon the well explained fact by Mr Thompson that Mr Arthur’s Shelf Life had truly expired. Our article in the Voice edition dated January 8, 2008 captioned “CAN PRIME MINISTER OWEN ARTHUR SURVIVE A FOURTH TERM” virtually predicted the outcome of the Barbados elections. We are more convinced than ever that politicians hoping to remain in power for more than two terms are living in a fantasy of their own creation.
Politicians must clearly understand that running a country is no easy task, moreso, countries which continue to spend more than they earn. The stress created by ongoing challenges takes a significant toll on all politicians and the time is on hand that if politicians can’t accept these consequences, legislation should be instituted to ensure that Prime Ministers can only serve two consecutive terms.

The damage done to countries by way of cronyism, arrogance and incompetence is well documented amongst regions hanging on to this insane methodology. A well known case in point is Zimbabwe under the strong hold of Robert Mugabi. The intoxication of power and corruption becomes an uncontrolled addiction which automatically affects the lives, professions and entrepreneurial activities of all classes.
The sad and ultimate consequences of these hideous encounters create division, hatred, poverty and degradation at all levels. The most recent humiliation of the Barbados Labour Party at the hands of Mr David Thompson of the Democratic Labour Party must have been so hurtful and degrading for Mr Owen Arthur who ran and charted a good course and no longer had the stamina to keep his crew well focused.
His speech conceding defeat painted a perfect picture of what transpired and despite his well intentioned generosity in the final hours, Dr Tennyson Joseph one of the moderators clearly explained that despite Mr Arthur’s reality, the depression which will manifest itself within three days will be even more hurtful and depressing. Had Mr Arthur passed over the mantle of leadership to Mia Mottley, which was the most sensible choice, he made the unfortunate decision to nominate Mr Mascoll - an individual who crossed the floor from the Democratic Labour Party to the Barbados Labour Party – an action which has never been tolerated within political circles and again paid the dear consequences for this reckless decision.