THIS IS THE WORST possible time for the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) house to appear divided.
The reaction yesterday from one of six party stalwarts to news of the possible ouster of Mia Mottley in favour of the reinstallation of former Prime Minister Owen Arthur.
The six – Sir Henry Forde, Sir Louis Tull, Dame Billie Miller, Sir Fred Gollop, Sir Richard “Johnny” Cheltenham and Nigel Barrow – met on Monday night in a bid to settle the bitter internal leadership fight that looks to shake the very foundation of the 72-year-old political institution.
Yesterday, while most were tightlipped, Sir Louis would only confirm that he attended the meeting.
Another elder, who preferred not to be identified, went further to suggest that now was definitely not the time for any public squabbling between opposing BLP camps.
He said: “This is the worst possible time to pick a fight with Prime Minister [David] Thompson on his [sick bed] and talk of a snap election”.
The elder was also concerned that the party, which has had a long-standing image of being able to publicly hold it together, was now on a negative trajectory as far as that tradition goes.
“This is not the way the BLP has traditionally done business,” the elder said, as he mentally searched through the party’s history, back to the days of founder Sir Grantley Adams.
“Today is really out of line,” he stressed, explaining that senior party officials were not at all in favour of the planned ouster of Mottley.
Yesterday, as the leadership tussle appeared far from settled, the source made it clear that the final decision on political leadership resided with the nine parliamentary group members.
He also doubted reports that an angry Arthur would resign.
“In his quiet moments he will consider the fact that his legacy is tied up in the Barbados Labour Party,” the party insider said.
The source noted Arthur had served as Prime Minister for 14 years and doubted that his interest was strong in taking back control of the reins.
“Mia is 40 something years old. There is so much work to be done. I am not sure Arthur really wants that, even though everybody likes power,” the party spokesman said.
“In fact, I think if an election were called he [Arthur] would be on a BLP platform.”
For the time being at least Mia remains in place.
The consensus?
“We were unhappy over the problems we were hearing and came to the conclusion that there should be further discussion between the parties involved,” said Sir Louis. (SP/KJ)
