Sunday, January 13, 2008

Barbados Report No 4

About 30 minutes out from the hotel on my daily fitness stint, when I started to hear this almighty racket. It sounded a bit as I imagine the Notting Hill Carnival to sound. Louder and louder still grew the noise. And then a Barbadian Police 4 x 4 came into view, all lights flashing. Following was a lorry, loaded up with a steel band and dancing girls. For a minute I thought it was my new mate Freddie out on tour. Then there was another lorry, piled high with more Barbados folk, colourfully dressed, chanting and laughing joyously, all waving posters. Then there were about 30 highly decorated vehicles, horns blowing and posters on the roof. Posters everywhere. The whole thing was followed by a troupe of dancers on foot, with people joining in for a short period as the cavalcade passed by.

Standing on the second lorry was a tall West Indian man with a microphone, and a voice about two octaves lower than the soon-to-be-ennobled Dafydd Wigley. It could easily have been 'Ol' Whispering Death' himself. . "Peter Phillips 'All Da Way', he spoke/sang. "Da Barbados Labour Party". "Keep Owen In Da House". 'Keep Da House Tidy". ' Peter Phillips All Da Way". Over and over again. I was spellbound. All I do is put a titchy little loud speaker on the roof of my car to announce that I'm in the area. A rethink needed. I don't know whether this Owen Arthur is any use as a Prime Minister - but his supporters sure know how to have fun. I've never seen so much joy being had by a group connected with politics. I've no idea why, but I'd be tempted to vote for Peter Phillips if I lived here. I've said so often to my supporters, "Never underestimate the power of name recognition".

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Right then Glyn, come the next Election....no titchy little loud speaker.Finding a steel band shouldn't be too difficult,but a whole lot of local folk chanting and laughing joyously could be more of a problem.
Glad you're enjoying your well earned holiday, been lucky enough to have been to Barbados three times, once whilst walking along the beach at Sandy Lane, a local young man came to try and sell us a boat trip,he was trying to save enough money to go to Newtown Wales to a friend's wedding,he nearly fell over when we told him we lived 18miles from there... small world.

Anonymous said...

The Cliff is one good restaurant as is the Lone Star, both in the parish of St James.
Oscar is right about having to reserve in advance.
Michael Winner speaks highly of them both!

Anonymous said...

Name recognition can go two ways Glyn. Didn't work for Portillo and even the Liberals in Mont in the early eighties. Grope-it or O'Prick, as he's known in the area, will find no comfort in name recognition. Mention his name round here and eyes roll heaven-wards, or worse, a stream of expletives come forth. Wales on Sunday report he was at the O2Arena in London for the Spice Girls reunion. Says it all.................

Dr. Christopher Wood said...

On this name recognition tag ...

I don’t suppose your chosen Barbados resort sells rock (the seaside confectionery version). How about when you get back? You could reach the common people by ordering a special version of Blackpool Rock with words on the packaging like “You can like Lembit and not vote for him”, while the rock innards could read, “Vote Glyn”. Alternatively, how about a few Simple-Simon-Says mutants such as, “Lembit supports VD campaign”, and inside: “Vote Davies”.

Some controversy could be a good thing, e.g., when next interviewed you could add the punch line, “I’m prepared to eat my words” and then literally eat them.

Glyn Davies said...

anon - there is an old sugar cane factory tower outside our hotel room door - where there are almost daily weddings. It seems thst a lot of British people come here to marry. White dresss and the full works.

anon - I was tempted until you said Michael Winner went there.

all - this blog is throwing up stacks of campaigning ideas.

Anonymous said...

The Cliff is one good restaurant as is the Lone Star, both in the parish of St James

Not your style, no riff raff allowed, you are staying in St Peters, this is far more up market, you know, smart casual.

Anonymous said...

You mean out of Glyns league?

St James area is very pucker!

Glyn Davies said...

Been down through St James today. You're right. Out of my league. I can aspire only to St Peter.