‘Focus on saving Barbados’

The outcome of the upcoming general election is more important than electing Barbados’ first woman skipper.

Leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Mia Mottley made this point Saturday during her party’s annual Heroes Day picnic at Barclays Park along the Ermy Bourne Highway, St Andrew.

“The history to be made is not about me being the first female Prime Minister. The history that is going to be made and that matters is about Barbadians coming to pull back their country and doing what people believe can’t be done,” she said.

Before what looked like a sea of red – made up of thousands of boisterous supporters – Mottley restated her party’s position against the National Social Responsibility Levy and tuition fees being introduced to students at the University of the West Indies.

If elected, she said, the BLP planned to remove both.

She also said she felt it was time the country reclaimed its dollar, and produced top quality craftsmen such as welders, carpenters and seamen who could boast being the best in the world.

“I want to do right by the people in this country, but we can only do so by joining forces. I want to see Barbados prosper, with all the bush along this coast removed . . . and without the sargassum on our beaches. Give me and my team this one and we will earn the rest,” Mottley promised.

There were also appearances by several BLP members, including St James Central representative Kerrie Symmonds and chairman George Payne, incumbent for St Andrew, as well as performances by Lead Pipe and Saddis, Lil Rick and Peter Ram.

Scores of buses transported the party faithful to the popular picnic spots from across Barbados to celebrate the birthday of party founder Sir Grantley Adams.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced the General Election would be held on May 24. (TG)