Barbados’ election campaign is being driven largely by cost-of-living concerns, while wider geopolitical and global economic risks facing the country are receiving little attention on the political platforms.
That is the view of former opposition leader Bishop Joseph Atherley, who shared the assessment after attending several political meetings across party lines ahead of the February 11 general election, including the Democratic Labour Party’s national meeting in Speightstown, St Peter, on Tuesday night.
While he said he was not “awfully worried” about the messaging of the various campaigns, noting that parties were responding to what voters appeared to feel most urgently, he admitted that the wider global context facing Barbados deserved greater public consideration.
“I think from what I’ve heard from my visits to various meetings, the focus largely has been, both from the governing side and the opposing sides, on the cost of living issue predominantly,” he said. “Maybe to a lesser extent the crime issue.”
Atherley explained that the immediacy of economic pressures made it natural for those issues to dominate the campaign.
“The cost of living impact is so immediate. It’s such a strong dynamic that what is being said from the platforms is much focused on that,” he acknowledged.
Atherley, however, cautioned that the narrow focus risked overlooking broader global forces that could significantly affect Barbados’ economic future.
He pointed to global and regional developments, including shifting international relationships and economic fallout from geopolitical tensions, which he said could have lasting effects on small economies like Barbados.
“We are living right now in a geopolitical reality that suggests some degree of uncertainty for the country going forward. There are international dynamics at play, and those things have real implications for Barbados’ economy.
“All of these things have implications for the economic reality which the world faces, and from that there is a significant outfall towards the Caribbean region, including Barbados. But I do not know that I’m hearing a lot of that discussed in the election campaign,” he said.
Atherley said he understood why parties might prioritise cost of living and crime as election day draws closer.
“The immediacy of the election and the urgency of getting that vote demands that they focus on the cost of living issues and the crime issues,” he said. “Whether they are speaking from a positive perspective or a negative perspective depends on which party is speaking.”
While he did not endorse any political party, Atherley said his attendance at meetings hosted by different groups was intentional and aimed at gaining a fuller picture of what was being offered to voters.
“I’m here tonight because I want to hear what the various parties are saying about the political situation in Barbados,” he told Barbados TODAY on Tuesday night.
“I’m not here because I’m supporting this particular party.”
He said he had already attended meetings hosted by the Barbados Labour Party and the Friends of Democracy, and planned to attend events organised by the People’s Coalition for Progress.
“I want to hear what all sides are saying. I want to be in a position to help others who don’t understand the issues and might ask me for a word or so,” Atherley stated.
Reflecting on what he had heard so far, including in manifestos already launched, Atherley said the campaign had produced a mix of proposals.
“I think there have been some good things said,” he said. “I think one or two of the things I have heard have been wild, but I think there are some very practical things that were said which can address some of the issues that families face in Barbados today.”
However, he stressed that his presence at meetings should not be interpreted as political alignment.
“I’m not going to identify the particular thing because then people will interpret that I favour a party,” he said. “It’s not that. I’m just here to see what is being said.”
As voters prepare to head to the polls, he urged Barbadians to engage seriously with the campaign and to participate in the democratic process.
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