by CHRIS GOLLOP

UP TO LATE LAST NIGHT, speculation was rife about the future of veteran politician Hamilton Lashley.

The St Michael East Member of Parliament was non-committal about whether or not he would break away from the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), and neither the BLP nor Democratic Labour Party (DLP) directorate was clear on the next step the "people's politician" would take.

Speculation started following the support Lashley gave to Government's social policy programmes presented in the 2008 Budget.

On Wednesday and yesterday the rumours escalated, following reports that he had been summoned to a meeting in the Opposition Leader's office to discuss his decision to support the proposals.

It was around 6 p.m. on Wednesday while the WEEKEND NATION was interviewing Lashley outside the Parliament Buildings when the personal assistant in the Opposition Leader's Office signalled to the MP that he should go to the office.

Five minutes later the woman returned and called Lashley away from the interview and the two talked for a few minutes. Minutes later Lashley left the compound, not to return.

Lashley himself did not divulge what had been discussed. He however made it clear he would be accompanied by his legal advisor, Government MP Stephen Lashley, if he was called on to attend any meeting related to the stand he took during the Budget debate.

When contacted by telephone yesterday evening, Lashley told WEEKEND NATION: "Whether or not I have been called on to attend a meeting, I will not say. What I can tell you is that I will make a decision on my political future shortly."

Opposition Leader Mia Mottley confirmed that she had sought to meet with Lashley on Tuesday and Wednesday, but on a totally unrelated matter.

On Wednesday morning in the House of Assembly, Lashley made no apologies for supporting all of the social programmes outlined by Prime Minister David Thompson in his Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals presented on Monday evening.

"Some might want to accuse me of pandering to the Government, but I would have to be mad as hell to object to the social relief programmes brought to this chamber by the Government," Lashley said in his presentation.

He later told the WEEKEND NATION: "It is a tribute to the DLP that in just five months in office they could bring such a programme of relief to the poor.

"Things like providing a plantation for farmers, free bus fare for schoolchildren and the transfer of housing for tenants living in Government units for a period of time. My social conscience tells me I must support these policies," he said.

"This is not the time to practise partisan politics. I will not stray from my philospohical moorings. I have to stand up for what I believe in. I don't care who this upsets."

Indeed, in terms of being upset, Lashley said, he was disappointed that when he made his contribution to the debate on Wednesday morning, only two of his colleagues were in their seats. "Why was this so?" he asked.

Yesterday, the WEEKEND NATION canvassed the constituency he has represented for the past 14 years to get their views on the decision he took to support the Government.

Almost all of the residents supported his decision.

"I am not surprised by what has happened," said constituent Errol Boyce.

"He is the poor people's politician and has fought for us for years. It has nothing to do with party politics. He just wants to help the poor and I support any decision he makes in that regard," he added.

Said Marina Paul: "He has always supported the poor. If they [the BLP] penalise him for representing us, I hope they know the poor people will remember what they did."

Lashley first won on a DLP ticket in 1994. He subsequently crossed the floor in November 1998 and has since contested and won the seat for the BLP.