CHRIST CHURCH WEST MP Dr William Duguid has called on his Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) parliamentary colleagues, including Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley, to attend Monday’s meeting at party headquarters.
CHRIST CHURCH WEST MP Dr William Duguid has called on his Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) parliamentary colleagues, including Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley,to attend Monday’s meeting at party headquarters.
Breaking his silence on the apparent leadership split within the BLP, Duguid told the WEEKEND NATION yesterday: “I look forward to the meeting on Monday and hope and pray that all parties attend that meeting so that we can find a way to get a better solution for the sake of the BLP and for the sake of Barbados.”
Duguid, who earlier this year announced he was quitting active politics at the end of the current five-year term, said he was concerned about the way the leadership issue had developed in the public domain.
“I cannot recall when a leadership battle within the BLP was played out in the Press.
“I do not consider that to be the Barbados Labour Party’s way. I would like to think that after our meeting on Monday, we can find some way to resolve this matter amicably.”
He said he would support whichever colleague emerged victorious after Monday’s meeting.
“Let me state clearly for the record that whoever wins any contest and has the majority of the support, I will loyally support, because I’ve always remained and maintained loyalty to the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and I live by certain principles and codes.”
Duguid said his constituents felt the Leader of the Opposition had not been treated fairly during the impasse, but at the same time echoed the feelings that former Prime Minister Owen Arthur had the majority support of the masses.
“. . . But they would have like to see a better handling of the baton for the leadership of the party and leadership of the Opposition,” he added.
Duguid said there was a place in the future of Barbados for both Arthur and Mottley.
A dissident group of five MPs, headed by BLP chairman George Payne, is lobbying for Arthur to replace Mottley. (TS)
duguid.jpgWilliam Duguid (left) with (from right) party chairman George Payne, Gline Clarke, Dale Marshall anbd Ronald Toppin.
