By Dr Isaac Newton

With so much catastrophe encircling the nation, it takes a sinister mind to conclude that PM, Winston Baldwin Spencer is not giving Antigua and Barbuda optimal leadership. In tragic circumstances, great leaders employ amazing strategies to make people care.

They draw on self interests and cultural resources to implement the core aspects of their vision. As the PM tries to do what inspires him--- promote the collective aspirations of the people--unsolved crimes are rising, public disaffection is high, and workers are losing more jobs on a daily basis.

Dr Isaac Newton is an international leadership and change management consultant and political adviser who specialises in government and business relations, and sustainable development projects. Dr Newton works extensively in West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, and is a graduate of Oakwood College, Harvard, Princeton and Columbia. He has published several books on personal development and written many articles on economics, leadership, political, social, and faith-based issues.

While the nation drowns deeper in deficit with no fresh recovery initiatives in place, conscientious critics are saying that Spencer’s best is a mess. Rather than set an example in all things, the PM has demonstrated godless indifference to the sufferings of the masses. Thus, it appears perfectly flawed to assert that we should stop criticizing the PM, given that this departs from fundamental democratic values.

But as Spencer struggles to restore the country through sweat and tears, switching our thoughts to how we can help and aligning our behaviors with principles of nation building will pay off. I see this season of hard times as a glorious opportunity for Spencer to prove, that he does not confuse smart slogans with solid solutions.

Recounting misfortunes

The PM’s misfortunes are as clear as glass. The IMF’s cruel social program is knocking at the doors. The probability of a bi-election on allegations of fraud is being heard in the High Courts, and the government is forced to downsize its foreign affairs ministry, for failure to justify grandiose public expenditure.

Spencer’s advisors are unable to communicate real solutions to rain-pouring dilemmas that deflate public confidence. Unfinished projects illustrate that the government has screwed in the light bulb crookedly. Dissatisfied workers who are responsible for essential services are threatening to strike.

Sadly, those most dear to the PM seem to be given an uneven hand. For example, there is no reconciliation in sight with the three Ds—Dean (former senior advisor and PRO), Daniel (former Deputy PM), and Derrick (former leader of government business in the Senate).

Even former financier and diplomat, Aziz Hadeed finds himself outside of Spencer’s inner circle. There are popular sentiments that Spencer struggles with issues of loyalty to allies and close friends. More troubling, the PM seems unmoved by calls for public inquiries into numerous allegations of massive corrupt deals that several of his ministers are believed to have orchestrated.

Additionally, our multi-ethnic society, primarily made of Caribbean brothers and sisters is faced with social upheaval. The politics of resentment that pits native born against the immigrant population is more visible than before. How will these fragile social realities, move our twin island state closer to sustainable prosperity for everyone?

Perhaps a comprehensive constitutional reform that makes citizenship a criterion for voting and that removes bias policies that prevent citizens living aboard, from officially participating in the electoral process, is a better option. The people’s franchise deserves to be guided by sound principles not political expediency.

No wonder feelings over the PM’s competencies run deep. Spencer has seen Antigua and Barbuda’s image plummet under his watch. Finance, tourism and most recently, shipping scandals, each one more injurious in scope than the other eats away at the PM’s popularity.

But some anoint Spencer’s leadership for desiring good governance. They adore his sunshine promises in the midst of tsunamic challenges. Supporters praise him for incorporating grassroots intelligence and negotiation skills-- derived from his experience in the trade unions-- with the school meals and uniform programs and relief for the elderly.

Others point out that Spencer’s people-first philosophy is compensation for poor performance. Objective commentators, however, view the PM juggling of personal ambition, party infighting and transparency in government, as another nail in his coffin.

Several influential party insiders knock Spencer for empowering the Syrian/Lebanese community while ignoring the structural development of his own constituency. Yet there seems to be a lack of empathy and awareness about the complex nature of the PM’s job, in these unprecedented hard times.

Rethinking perspective

Why aren’t we digging deep into the soul of national goodwill, to save this land of beauty from chaos?

In catalytic times like these, what the PM needs is not vicious criticisms that rejoice at what he is doing wrong. Nor glorifying mean-spirited hustlers, whose task is to tear down but never to build up. Spencer needs intelligent support and strategic wisdom, from home and throughout the diasporas.

To deliberately withhold white paper solutions, that may very well save Antigua and Barbuda from disaster, under the banner of changing the leadership, without plans aimed at changing self-defeating attitudes and transforming outdated bureaucratic structures, is not fruitful.

The problems that our island is facing shouldn’t be satirized by the calypso—‘Capitan the ship is sinking.” This implies that everyone is at deadly risk. But if we view our problems more from the perspective of ‘Passengers the captain is trying,’ we shed light on how to embrace a better alternative. Perhaps working in sync with the captain is more important in guiding the ship to safe harbor, than screaming at the raging billows of the storm.

Notwithstanding the duty of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) opposition to force the government to play its best hands, by offering prudent critiques and best case scenarios for revitalizing the country, narrow party politics--that bleeds rather than heals-- must be brought to a sudden halt. This is not an ALP transgression; it is a United Progressive Party (UPP) disease as well.

Recognizing achievements

We should not let bad times stifle good thinking. However dark or bright the future is or isn’t, the choices we make as a nation, can bring us more harm.

Now is the time to break all of the rules of old school politics that attack the leader without advancing the country. If we don’t, we will ruin our future. To overcome this mindset, we must provide helpful feedback, and innovative insights for internal improvements, within a broad direction of growth. However, if the PM proves that he is unready for consensus leadership that outperforms opponents, we should call for his resignation by agitating for change.

In fact, Spencer deserves to be honored for emerging from Gray’s Farm, viewed by many as one of the most depressed communities in Antigua, to the highest executive position in the land. Coming from this poverty riddled community, means that the PM would have had to overcome more hurdles to achieve his political goals than others. Thus, his performance at the helm can be characterized as hard working.

It is possible that the concrete hopelessness that we all feel is a catalyst for us to imagine, that there is more to the glass than its size. It turns out whether quarter full or half empty, the glass has a function.

From this perspective, Spencer’s task is to find new solutions to existing problems while our duty is to find more productive uses for criticisms. Since the PM’s power is finite, demanding more of him as opposed to appreciating the scope of his leadership skills is not helpful.

Refocusing responses

In these polarizing times, we must refocus on how to put back quality in our lives. We must readjust our expectations and recalibrate our minds towards the common good. We must help repair the inner workings of the UPP government that has failed to deliver the results that the layman wants.

Let’s celebrate the leadership risks we have embarked upon while we learn from our mistakes. Let’s get rid of structures and personnel that inhibit progress. Let’s take bold actions with an eye towards a brighter future. That means that criticizing the PM would have to take on new dimensions.

We must challenge Spencer when he is wrong and recommend alternatives. We must genuinely encourage him to dare to make hard decisions and affirm him when he is right. We must demand accountability from him by compelling him to deliver. This is what it means to build a successful country.

The basis for proposing humane and sane solutions with uplifting impact should be the long-term development of Antigua and Barbuda/and the region. Through deep spiritual grounding we must evoke the nobility of our national/regional spirit.

Ultimately, criticizing the PM should not be an exercise in denial or a dance of despair. But it should be a democratic engagement clothed in humility, a desire for improved standards of living, and a strong commitment to our social ideals.

If each of us criticizes our leaders in a manner that advances the nation and the region, Antigua and Barbuda will flourish once again, and the rest of the Caribbean will become competitive. But we must become increasingly hospitable to the logic that Spencer is giving his absolute best.