Ivan Lynton, popularly referred to as "Mr Economist", has announced that he will not call the programmes, at least to discuss politics.

He told David Ellis, moderator of the Starcom Network programme Brasstacks on 92.9 FM last Friday, that he would be focusing more on his religious life.

He added that he had been contemplating ending his participation in the call-in programmes for some time.

The situation was nailed after he was verbally abused by people telephoning his house before and after the general election last Tuesday.

"I've always been fair and dealt with facts. I never called anybody and abused them or came on the programme and abused anybody."

When pressed by Ellis, the former senator said he had declined involving the police in the matter.

Lynton, a former Government senator in the last administration, has become a household name over many years of calling the radio talk shows as a staunch supporter of former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, whom he lauded for having done a great deal for the economic and political development of the island.

However, he called on the BLP Opposition members to give the new Government a chance, warning that this did not mean that if there was something they have to speak about that they should not.

"I want Barbados to go forward," Lynton added, noting that he had to thank VOB and all of its moderators for the opportunity they
had given him toexpress his views.

An active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Lynton, who is partially blind, spoke of paying greater attention
to his religious life, which has always been of great importance to him.

"I think the time has come for me to get off the political line – not that I won't vote. I supported my party for over 60 years and I think I've done very well for them. I still will support them."

However, he said he might call the call-in programmes on sports but certainly not politics.

Some fellow "regular callers" on the radio talk shows have already indicated that Lynton should reconsiderhis decision.

"That is my decision. But I wish everybody well in Barbados. The future of Barbados depends on all of us."

Lynton said he had been contemplating the move for about a year and was also not minded to return to the Senate even if the BLP had retained the Government.

"I always felt I had a contribution to make to the political life of Barbados and that was my main content. . . . [I]tried to do whatever I could to uplift Barbados." (ES)