DLP President Dr Ronnie Yearwood Reflects on Barbados' 57th Independence Day

A message from the President of the Democratic Labour Party, Dr Ronnie Yearwood, on Barbados’ 57th Independence Day.

Barbadians, I take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy and blessed Independence Day on behalf of the Councils and Members of the Democratic Labour Party.

I, along with my wife Lucy and son Solomon, are proud to call this land home and join with all families across Barbados in celebrating this our 57th year of Independence. I look forward to seeing many of you throughout this significant day.

Independence was born out of politics, so how can it not be political? Independence is more than a moment and more than a platitude. It is the cornerstone of modern Barbados. The idea that Independence should not be political is a short-sighted, not fully understood view, of the struggle and fight that Independence was born out of.

The DLP has always been part and parcel of a modern Barbados with the birth of Independence.

Since the founding of modern Barbados at Independence by The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, the first Prime Minister of Barbados and Leader of the Democratic Labour Party, Barbados has achieved many successes and weathered many storms. I salute the nation builders of this country who have shaped Barbados into the proud and resilient nation of people that we are today.

At this time, I know that this pride and resilience are being tested by the harsh economic environment we find ourselves in. The Barbados Labour Party regime has a debt of $14.6 billion that current and future generations of Barbadians will have to tackle long after they are gone from office. In addition, this financial year, they will borrow a further $1 billion.

As I walk around Barbados getting to know you and seeking your support, I hear all too often of how many Bajans struggle every day to buy food, pay bills, and take care of their families. Many of you are stressed today and anxious about tomorrow. Will I have water tomorrow? Will I have electricity tonight? Can I put gas in my vehicle in the morning? Will I ever be able to afford my home? How will I ever get out of debt? These are just some of the many worries that are on the minds of Bajans because of the poor performance of the BLP regime. Sadly, these worries, anxieties, and depression are driving a national mental health crisis.

I want to help you. The Democratic Labour Party wants to help you. While we are not in a position to ease the VAT, lower the tax, and stop the endless borrowing of this regime, we commit to holding them accountable for the damage they are doing to Barbados.

Strangely, in a country run by a regime that aims to be world class, it seems that its leadership has forgotten its national promise to its own citizens to care for its people in making a better life for all Bajans. This should be the true purpose of a government in a democracy. This should be what matters most, not international stages, magazine covers, and monuments to hide the many failings of the BLP regime. When the cameras stop recording, and the lights go off, it is Bajans that are stuck with the bills for the extravagances of an absent leader and a disconnected incompetent regime. That is just a fact.