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Mottley: No time to engage in tit-for-tat
IN HAPPIER TIMES: Opposition Leader Mia Mottley (left) being congratulated by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur (right) when she was nominated as Barbados Labour Party leader in 2008. (File photo)
Published on: 10/31/2009.
THOSE DELIVERIES are best left outside the off stump, was Mia Mottley's response yesterday to remarks made on Tuesday by former Barbados Labour Party (BLP) leader and former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, about her leadership.
"I have a job to do in relation to leading the BLP and in terms of protecting the people of this country against what is a very difficult economic time as well as a Government that is void of any vision and has been incompetent thus far.
"I am going to stay focused on that job. That is what I have come to public life to do and therefore as I said to you, those deliveries are best left outside the off stump," she said to the Press at the Opposition's office.
Arthur said Mottley faced a problem of being accepted by the society at large and being accepted by a cross-section of the BLP.
However, Mottley said it was a given that any person in public life had to adjust to how they were perceived, but she questioned if the same would be said or rumoured about her if she were a man.
She noted that there would be things she would do differently going forward but "I have done things differently already."
"But I am not in going to respond to a discussion that has been precipitated by something that I said I am not responding to; and I am not going to. I will not get involved in a public spat. I will not be dragged in on any response whatsoever that involves any kind of public spat or any kind of tit-for-tat. I am focused.
"My back is broad and I can deal with it. I know where the BLP must go.
" The parliamentary party is behind me, the National Council last night (Thursday) passed a resolution fully in support of myself and I will stay focused," she stressed.
She said the BLP would press forward unified and present itself in a way that would "inspire" Barbadians.
"Part of what I have done is to be able to start that process. And I am confident that when the election is called, that we will present to the Barbadian public a set of programmes, a vision, and a team capable of inspiring that confidence.
"I am deeply conscious that we are approaching the mid-term and that the public needs to understand this party is a party that will go forward and defend their interest. That process is not a process that happens overnight; but by the same token I will do all in my power to make sure that you will have a united BLP, that you will have a party that is capable of alternative vision and alternative programmes and an alternative team such that Barbadians will feel that it will not be their lot to choose between bad and bad," Mottley said.
*tracymoore@nationnews.com
11 comment found!
No time for tit for tat : 10/31/2009
It all sounds very promising Ms Motley, but after all you are but a politician, and all politician are liars and I think becoming the first woman prime minister of Barbados is more about what you want than what us poor humble law abiding Barbadians need.
STAND FIRM, MIA : 10/31/2009
Every thing Kool Mia.Every thing kool. We who support the BlP anit for NO side tracks. You qualifiled to not only lead the BLP but also this Country Barbados, You can and will out preform that Thompson and his crew in take us form the level we are at now to better yet . Owen statements just cause us to close Ranks and focus more on you as the leader and his comment as Present Tense. Mia, you have the Party's Support. The DLP think they have sorced a goal with Owen comments, but they are just so so Delused. They The dlp,just dont understand that the BLP is an completely different organisation culture to theirs. So Mia, its BLP 2013 or earlier
I am disappointed : 10/31/2009
As a BLP voter I am disappointed in my former PM. Yet very proud of my next PM Mia Mottley. Stay focus and don't let anyone steal your joy. This is your time and your moment.
Yeah Mia : 10/31/2009
@Mia: Let the old man lick his wounds and guhlong where he belong - writing his memoirs up on the hill. Don't mind all the old talk and the jealousy from both sides. We know that you have what it takes to take this country forward when your turn comes. Just be cool, do your thing and prepare. Your day is coming sooner than some people think.
Class is Class : 10/31/2009
God's blessings be with you Mia. Don't let anyone or anything deter you from your mission. We know that you are capable. No one can question your intellectual capacity and you have just shown that you have a good heart. Fight the good fight and stay the course and Bajans will support you. Owen had his time and did a good job, but he must realize that old politicians never die they end up in disgrace if they do not know the right time to retire from public life.
Time for change : 10/31/2009
Motley i agree keep pressing on with the business of Barbados and leave the child play alone. The best thing to do is not speak only of what you're going to do, but to show the people you are about positive results. What most Barbadians need to realize, the world is changing and Barbados need to change right along. Barbados is a place where it needs to evolve and show the world, this beautiful island is a force to reckon with. It doesnt matter if the leader is a male or female, but what positive heights are they taking the country.
MS. MOTTLEY YOU KEEP FOCUS : 10/31/2009
MS.Mottley it is good to know that you are going to keep focus. I hope you will make meaningful contributions in Parliament in these very difficult economic times. Show your leadership qualities. Stop blowing hot air.Show Barbadians if you are made of sterner stuff. If you can do that you have a very good chance of being PRIME MINISTER down the road, but for sure not next ELECTION. Your BLP has done too much damage to Barbados in your 14 years of Governance. WE are watching you. Persons like myself will help you to become a great leader in the future, because we will criticize you when ther is a need to
Showing her pedigree in this response. : 10/31/2009
And that is what most of the boys' club despises, her pedigree.
: 10/31/2009
Politicians should know when their time has passed and allow the natural process of growth to take place. I believe even though I have never voted for the BLP that Mis Mottley is the one to lead from here on in.
NO TIME FOR TIT FOR TAT : 10/31/2009
I AGREE WITH YOU MS MOTTLEY
Jonh 20 v 27-29 : 10/31/2009
They say a picture worth a thousand words. Then they say seeing is believing. However, according to John 20 v 27- 29, Jesus said to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hand, and thrust it into my side:and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God . Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou believed: Blessed are they that have not seen but yet have beleived.
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