Mic flaw mars PM’s speech

DLP supporters led by Ilene Bryan (r) cheered every word that came from the lips of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. (Nigel Browne)

Sun, January 22, 2012 - 12:01 AM

PRIME MINISTER FREUNDEL STUART had to endure the frustration of a faulty sound system on the East Coast yesterday that marred his address to hundreds of supporters at a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) excursion marking the birthday of late Prime Minister and National Hero Errol Walton Barrow.

This country’s seventh Prime Minister never got the chance to finish his address as the microphone cut out at least six times.

A frustrated Stuart had to abort his presentation and minutes later, an official of Alpha 24 Sound Systems apologized for the inconvenience. However, during that apology, the microphone went dead once more.

Stuart then granted an interview with print and broadcast media.

His address had been scheduled for 2 p.m., but Stuart delayed it till after 3 p.m. to meet and greet loyal DLP supporters, who dominated well-wishers that included Cabinet ministers Denis Kellman, Ronald Jones and John Boyce, Senators Irene Sandiford-Garner and Harry Husbands.

Sandiford-Garner, who spoke before Stuart, had no such microphone problems, and reminded Barbadians of the achievements of the DLP Government over the past three years. She pointed to increased sports tourism and tourism arrivals, repair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital electrical system, free bus rides for schoolchildren, and extended hours in polyclinics.

The DLP candidate for the area described St Andrew as the most beautiful and unspoilt part of Barbados and added that Barbadians were enjoying the scenic Ermy Bourne Highway “because of the vision of Errol Barrow”. (MK)