by Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles Every time I come across a former Prime Minister walking through an airport, or attending a public function I recoil at the manner in which the Caribbean State treats its former Heads of Government. This is clearly not in sync with the political and social status enjoyed by former presidents for instance in the United States. Under the 1958 Former Presidents Act, US presidents are entitled to a pension (around US$200,000 annually), support staff, office support, travel funds and mailing privileges in that country.
These supports are designed to “maintain the dignity” of the office and to ensure that these individuals do not have to enter ‘unsuitable” occupations after demitting office. In France, the 1958 Constitution provides that former presidents are assigned a seat on its highest constitutional court of review. No such curtsies are extended to former Caribbean leaders.
Indeed, I recall attending a cricket match at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus around 2004/2005 and glanced around in time to see former prime minister Erskine Sandiford, walk a little haltingly (it’s an age thing) towards the sitting area. It struck a chord. Whether or not we approved of his management of the economic affairs of Barbados in the early 1990s, he deserved the respect benefitting an individual who occupied the most powerful political position in the land.
I am also reminded of the former Prime Minister, and current leader of the Op.