IF THE DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY (DLP) Government does not live up to its manifesto promises, it will be "open season".

Chairman of the National Assistance Board (NAB), Henderson Bovell, said he would sit back and monitor whether Government would bring about wholesale changes within 100 days as it promised.

"The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) still has a message which needs to get across. The campaign will be easy going forward as the DLP has set itself up by saying it does not lie or cheat and by setting a number of things to do within 100 days," he said.

Bovell, one of the more vocal supporters of the BLP on radio talk shows, said if the DLP could not deliver, it would speak against its credibility and vision and he would have no hesitation in declaring open season and going on the air.

However, he congratulated the new Government.

"I am not happy the DLP won; but since the people have spoken, I respect their decision and therefore congratulate the new Prime Minister [David Thompson] and his Government for their electoral success," he said.

As for himself, he said it was "very, very unlikely" he would be retained as NAB chairman and so, he planned to pursue a master's degree in public health.

"I was paying attention to health and wellness while in Government and I need to be in a position to speak with greater authority. This is where I will make my contribution," he said.

Bovell also said he was the architect of the previous administration's health and wellness programme and was planning to implement an active ageing programme this year. He hoped the current Government would continue them.

He did not rule out continuing in active politics and said he would be available if needed.

"I think the BLP going forward will need fresh, knowledgeable people and I have no objection to offering myself as a candidate in the next five years," he said. (CA)