Last Updated: Saturday, March 20, 2010 : 6:26 AM
Home / News _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
News
MIA'S MOVE
Opposition Leader Mia Mottley (right) sharing a light moment with party supporter Valmay Arthur-Bent, sister of former Prime Minister Owen Arthur.
Published on: 10/26/2009.
by WADE GIBBONS
OPPOSITION LEADER MIA MOTTLEY will put her leadership of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) on the line tonight.
Before a large crowd at the party's 71st annual conference at the Barbados Community College's gymnasium yesterday, Mottley said she would put her leadership of the BLP before the parliamentary group. She said those who wanted to come forward were free to do so. There are nine sitting members of the BLP in the Lower House.
Mottley stated that every BLP leader, fromSir Grantley Adams to Owen Arthur, had to withstand challenges and attacks from within and outside from some who thought they were capable of leading.
She said this was the nature of public life.
"If this party wants to have a genuine chance of success in the next election, then I wantto make it clear that we mustdo so as a united force . . . . The electorate will not accept a divided party coming before it," she stressed.
Mottley said she expected criticism from inside and outside of the BLP ranks, and would deal with it as was warranted. But, she added,he would not tolerate attempts to divide the party and create division that would stop them from achieving their mission.
"We do not wash our dirty linen in public. We never have and I will not lead a party that starts it now. We are a party that knows how to resolve our differences," she said.
The St Michael North-East MP asserted that she came to public life to serve and make a difference in people's lives and was prepared to do so in or outside of Parliament,or whether she was BLP leader or not.
She said the party would be free to make its choice, but warned that if she was reaffirmed as leader she would not be tolerating any indiscipline or surreptitious behaviour from anyone.
"Discipline must be maintained in this party and if we are to have institutional order we must recognise that no one of us is bigger than the party. We are in this together. . . we must move forward one way or the other Tuesday, whoever is the leader, on the basis of a united front," she urged.
Stressing that irrespectiveof tonight's outcome she would not be supporting another political party, Mottley said she would not stand for putting the prosperity that awaits Barbadians at risk.
Mottley said she did not expect unanimity always, but believed that people committed to the BLP should constantly give of their best and voicetheir concerns.
However, she added, this had to be done in a manner that did not support the cause of the ruling Democratic Labour Party.
"I truly believe that if we are to move forward together - we are at half-term and we have two more years left - we cannot go forward with a public perception [of division] that is too easy to resolve," she said.
wadegibbons@nationnews.com
19 comment found!
MIA : 10/26/2009
I know it's late but just got the time to read the paper and comments.When will the Nation stop printing THE RUBBISH COMING FROM THE POSTER (K K)?Can't understand what he/she is trying to say.I think his/her comments are a waste of space.
you DLP dumb heads can all stay here a wish the worse, it just anit happening : 10/26/2009
ON TUSEDAY MORNING, ALL OF YOU WHO WROTE SUCH DIE-TRY NONSENSE ABOUT THE BLP LEADERSHIP PROCEPTIONs WILL BE EATING YOUr OWN WORDS I CAN SAID , that the BLP is very focus unit. and MIA WILL STILL HAVE HER POST AS LEADER, ALL YOU BLP HATERS WILL RELIVE OUR JANUARY 15 2008 POSITION IN 2013 OR EARLIER,
MIa Has problem to Fix : 10/26/2009
Mia, I guess by 9PM tonight the BLP would have settled their leadership problems. For your sake, I hope that you win because with you as leader, the DLP will rule for another THREE terms.Furthermore, CLICO has been sold and you are left with nothing to shout and rant about, what a shame.
Leadership and Sexism : 10/26/2009
If Mia was a man, criticism of her leadership would be non-existent. I think this is a sexist, elite attitude that is prevailing in this forum. Mia is an intelligent, gutsy, and capable woman who can lead and represent Barbados in any country in the world. Bajans are too sexist and narrow-minded to ever conclude, that a woman can be a Prime Minister of Barbados.
YOU ARE BRILLIANT, BUT???? : 10/26/2009
Ms Mottley is the only politician in Barbados who has impressed me with her use of the English Language. All the others must have a piece of paper in their hands, in order to deliver. However, i really do not think she is the best candidate for the BLP, given the rumers about her private life. I like the BLP, but is afraid of what can happen if she is made Prime Minister.
MIA'S MEDIOCRITY : 10/26/2009
The fact of the matter is that the BLP does have dirty linen irrespective of where it is washed. The BLP has languished in this fairy-tale notion that it is the only party that knows what is right for Barbados regardless of what the Barbadian electorate says or chooses. Mia Mottley's inclination has never been what is right for the average Bajan but rather what is right for her and her BLP cohorts. In the interest of Barbados and Barbadian people, Mia Mottley's leadership position SHOULD BE CHALLENGED.
MIA'S MOVE : 10/26/2009
BYE BYE MIA.You are so right some people think they can lead. you are clearly not a leader.
Mia leadership : 10/26/2009
Mia, take a breathe and stop been critical. No one is indispensable. You can be replace. Campaigning and governing are not the same. Every since the DLP came in to power, you have been critical.You haven't given them enough time especially in this worldwide economic downturn. If the U.S is such bad shape what do you expect to happen to little Barbados. If you were Prime Minister right now in these times you still would not have made a difference.
good move : 10/26/2009
Owen needs to step aside and retire as he indicated when the BLP lost the election mainly due to him. The results should also indicate whether Peter Wickham's poll has lost its credibility.
LEADERSHIP : 10/26/2009
What is happening here? Has the world gone mad? For anyone to consider Mia Mottley as a leader of our beautiful island I would have to come to the conclusion that drugs is a bigger problem in Barbados than I thought. All those folks who think and want that would have to be on drugs. My God My God why has thou forsaken us. Atlanta Georgia
Pressure! : 10/26/2009
Biting comments by the Opposition Leader, she has definitely thrown down the gauntlet!! Who is worthy?!
Go Mia : 10/26/2009
She is an outstanding politician, and she should be the PM of Barbados.
BLP : 10/26/2009
who are you afraid of is it MASCOLL or OWEN LIKE YOU Say some people think they can lead are you one of those people will see
Momma Mia!! : 10/26/2009
There will be an attempt to sell Mia's candidacy as some sort of symbol of women's progress and any legitimate critism of her policy or charactor flaws will therefore be seen as sexist. Barbadian women need to be smarter than this and ask themselves not if Barbados is ready for a woman as Prime Minister, but if someone with Mia's reputation is the right woman to lead Barbados and represent the nation internationally.
Mottley's woes : 10/26/2009
It was only a matter of time, the preceived notion that Owen was unhappy with M Mottley's style of leadership has spilled over to the party conference and even with the call for unity from within there was no sign of unity. It maybe a time for Mr Arthur to re emerge and lead this opposition party before it wallows any further in the mire.
MIA'S MOVE. : 10/26/2009
Mia, why dont you take the leadership question to the rank and file of the BLP. If you are so sure about your chances, give it a try.In my opinion, Owen Arthur would beat you about three to one if you ever gave the rank and file a chance to vote on the leadership issue.You see Ms. Mottley, most Barbadians are not in favor of some of the THINGS you do, does they would NEVER accept you as a leader.
Interesting : 10/26/2009
Looks like this newspaper has become an arm of the Barbados labour party.
Slip or Petticoat : 10/26/2009
Freudian slip or petticoat? "Mottley said she expected criticism from inside and outside of the BLP ranks, and would deal with it as was warranted. But, she added,he would not tolerate attempts to divide the party and create division that would stop them from achieving their mission." Yeah I read it a few times too. A not so silent dig at the leader of the opposition?
Mia's move : 10/26/2009
All will see if the members of the party are behind Ms.Mottley 100%,or if they have other ideas as to who is more capable to take the reigns of leadership.
TODAY'S CARTOONS
3/18/2010
Most Emailed Stories
Chaderton-Shaw 'forced out'(3/16/2010)In honour of my dad(3/14/2010)2 BARRED(3/16/2010)Divorce woes(3/13/2010)PSV OFF DAY(3/14/2010)TOO RUDE!(3/14/2010)Mottley calls for Clico Memorandum(3/16/2010)ON EDGE(3/18/2010)Missing Persons - Gone without a trace (3/19/2010)Saved from life in fast lane (3/14/2010)
Do you think UWI should reduce its intake of students?
 |