Outspoken Government Minister Donville Inniss believes that leaders of non-partisan organisations should not engage in party politics.
He was reflecting on the December 31st, 2017 article in another section of the media which reported that President of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), Charles Herbert is of the view that a new government is needed.
Herbert was stated as saying “The sooner we have elections, the sooner we have action, and it’s not a political statement. We need a Government with a new mandate which will implement decisions quickly.”
The Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development described the statement as “very strong”, especially since Herbert was speaking in his capacity as head of the umbrella agency of private sector organisations in Barbados.
“I read Mr Herbert’s statement and saw the note that he was speaking as the present President of the Barbados Private Sector Agency. It was a very strong statement, that one individual, representing one agency supposedly, can say that we need a change in government.”
Inniss said he empathises with those who call for an election, but wishes to have leaders of non-partisan organisations continue to give Government their candid views, without indulging in party politics which can have a long term negative impact upon their organisations no matter which Party is in office.
Inniss went on to make it clear that the President, like any other citizen of Barbados, is entitled to support any political party he or she choses. However, he further stressed that Herbert as head of BPSA is representing organisations such as the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA), Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC).
“He is representing the private sector organisations in Barbados….And if he is speaking as President, tell me when the BPSA members met, passed the resolution and agreed that Mr Herbert should say that a new Government is needed.”
“I will like all of the members organisation of the BPSA to come out and say whether they support Mr Herbert or not,” Inniss added. (TL)
