Incoming President of Barbados, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, must steer the nation with “a steady hand” and prioritise justice, stability and national unity above partisan divides, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne declared ahead of the presidential transition on Independence Day.
Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament convened for the election of the head of state, Thorne referenced the oft-used metaphor “ship of State”, noting that ships must navigate various conditions on the ocean.
“Sometimes those waters are calm, sometimes those waters are tempestuous. That is why the office of Head of State becomes all-important. That person must bring to the office a steady hand. That person must bring to the office stability. And above all, that person must bring to the office wisdom and a sense of justice,” the Christ Church South MP and leader of the Democratic Labour Party said.
Appealing to all Barbadians, including “cynics”, “conspiracy theorists” and “all those who love this country”, Thorne stated the occasion was not one for “bitterness” or “rancour”, emphasising that the office of President must not be reduced to “political disrespect [or] political bitterness”.
Thorne made it clear that President-elect Bostic, whose nomination he backed, also had the support of the DLP. He outlined that while the President’s position as the Head of State is a “political” office, “it is not a partisan office”.
Thorne added: “Who can legislate that sense of integrity? No one can. But I want to say, Your Honour, that this side accepts the qualifications in our new President to hold that office. And it does not take courage to say that.
“We heard the chaplain say this morning that we must have the courage to do what is right. And we in this Democratic Labour Party come today with the conviction that we are doing what is right. That we are doing what is right in the interest of this country.
“That we are doing what is right in the interest of the future of this country. That we are doing what is right in the interest of order and stability that must attend the affairs of this country. And that the person who holds the office of Head of State must remain stable, must have a sense of order, and must occupy that office with a sense of justice.”
Thorne further noted: “That is our hope and that is our prayer. That this and these qualities will characterise the holder of that office. That there will be wisdom and maturity and that it will not be a challenge.
“And it is not that we love our parties less, but that we love our country more. And that this State… of Barbados, will enjoy the kind of future for which we all hope. A future of order, a future of stability, a future of prosperity.”
(IMC)
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