Only in my fevered imagination is there a memo circulating to all Democratic Labour Party parliamentarians titled: “Remove Emphasis Added,” which reads as follows:
“My previous instruction to you regarding where to lay the emphasis on the term ‘the great economist’ when applying it to Owen Arthur MP, is now rescinded. Please REMOVE the emphasis which I instructed you to add to the second word of the phrase. Mr. Arthur should now be referred to as simply ‘the great economist’, which he is, of course, not ‘the GREAT economist’ as heretofore instructed. I also recommend that when applying the phrase, a suitable expression of wonder be adopted, rather than the current one of dripping sarcasm.”
I also imagine. Arthur repeating to himself over and over: “Note to self: Do not ever again refer to what Freundel Stuart does every day as ‘loitering on the job’.”
Right after Arthur’s “shock and awe” exit from the Barbados Labour Party the day after. Mottley’s long march from Parliament to almost-Government Headquarters, the two former political foes (that would be Arthur and Stuart) metaphorically circled each other, launching as much of a charm offensive toward the other as each could muster. I could feel their pain.
Stuart let it be known that certainly anyone who had had the honour to serve as prime minister of Barbados for 14 years must have something to offer his administration. Arthur issued a response to the effect that he would be honoured to accept almost any offer that might be extended.
There was about as much chemistry between the two as there was between the two Royals on their wedding night. She said: “I offer you my honour.” He said: “I will honour your offer.” And I can’t remember the punchline.
By the time this appears in print, the actual new point of intersection between Arthur and the Stuart administration may already have been announced. But since up to my deadline I had not heard anything, I thought I might mull over a few potential placements for the truly great economist.
My first choice would be for Arthur to take up the twin portfolio of prime minister and minister of finance, but I admit this is unlikely as those two posts are already, if only nominally, filled by two different people.
My second would be to make him a minister of state in the finance ministry so he and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Darcy Boyce could work together solving all the economic problems facing the country, once and for all.
I say this, only because I know Arthur is keen to fix the economy. Almost two years ago, in October 2012, in a speech at the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s monthly luncheon, Arthur noted that in his last year as prime minister Barbados’ GDP was $8.9 billion, while at the end of 2011 it was $8.6 billion. He observed that, “No comparable experience can be found when the Barbados economy, at the end of a five-year period, has ever been smaller than it was at the start.”
Of course, it still hasn’t topped that $8.9 billion in the ensuing years, so Arthur’s vision of his role in providing the remedy is still awaiting fulfilment.
He had noted then that the “vast extent” of the economic crisis called for a “transformation of the economy” that would be as “defining” a moment in Barbadian history as Emancipation or Independence. In fact, he told his audience, it provided an opportunity “to change Barbados forever for the better” which should not be missed, and added, “I assure you that I do not intend to.”
In the meantime, until the pleasure of the prime minister is known, Arthur must paddle his canoe alone. He has pledged not to attack his former party, but of course what would be the point of leaving it if you are still going to vote with it? So I expect him to either do a lot of abstaining or voting with the DLP.
Despite whatever big thing Stuart may have in mind for him is offered, Arthur has pledged to continue to fight for the interests of his constituents, no doubt with renewed vigour. However, we can take comfort in the fact that Stuart’s name is legend when it comes to making decisions on important matters.
