Good morning. Miss Violet has reviewed the news and has several things to say, beginning with the most important.

THE PRIME MINISTER REPRESENTS US WELL

Prime Minister Mottley has gone to Washington and told the World Bank and IMF that the global financial system disadvantages small developing nations, that Barbados has direct experience of this, and that her country should host the secretariat of the new Borrowers’ Platform. Every word of this is correct. Every word of this needed to be said by someone with the authority to say it and be heard. Miss Violet was not surprised that it was our Prime Minister who said it. She has been saying versions of it for years and the world has gradually started to listen.

The secretariat would be a meaningful institutional presence in Barbados. It would signal that small island developing states are not merely subjects of international financial policy but active participants in shaping it. We hope it succeeds.

THE HOSPITAL

QEH has confirmed that all is in order. Miss Violet noted with some relief the contrast with our colleagues in Jamaica, where the University Hospital disclosed a $40 billion tax debt to parliament this week. Sound financial management in our health institutions is not glamorous work. It is essential work. We are grateful for it.

THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SHIRT

A 32-year-old man entered a storeroom, took $143.45 and a shirt, was caught, and is now in prison for six months — having completed a previous sentence less than two months prior. He told the court he needed the shirt to get in a van to town. Miss Violet is not without sympathy for difficult circumstances. Miss Violet is, however, very clear that stealing from a person’s storeroom is not the correct response to not having a shirt. There are churches. There are social programmes. There are ways to ask for help that do not involve breaking into someone’s workplace. Six months to reflect. Use them.

LEARS QUARRY

One person has lost their life following an equipment collapse at Lears Quarry. This is a tragedy and our condolences go to the family. Workplace safety standards in extractive industries must be maintained and enforced rigorously. There is no acceptable margin for error when the margin is a human life.

THE GOLFERS

Bajan golfers dominated the championships this week. Miss Violet plays no golf but understands it requires discipline, patience, and precise execution under pressure — qualities she has always associated with the better representatives of this island. Well done to all who competed.

From the parish. Always measured. Always right.