Owen Arthur was today sworn in as the new Leader of the Opposition.
Earlier today, some members of the Barbados Labour Party’s parliamentary group met at party headquarters at Roebuck Street, St Michael and pledged allegiance to Arthur as leader.
George Payne, speaking to the Press, said former leader Mia Mottley no longer had commanded their confidence.
Arthur, speaking to the Press, said: “I had never invisioned being back in this position, this is a moment that I did not seek. It is a position that I did not yearn for…”.
The following is his speech to the Press after emerging from this morning’s meeting at headquarters.
This is a very difficult time for the country. It is a very important time for the party, It is a very difficult time for me. I think the world of Mia Mottley there is nobody in public life in Barbados who I would have facilitated to enable them to become as much as they could be.
Mia Mottley was my Minister of Education and was given extended experience in a social policy environment. She was the Attorney General of Barbados by my actions, she was the Minister of Economic Affairs and Economic Development to broaden her experience.
I made her the leader of Government business in the House when I was Prime Minister of Barbados, I made her my Deputy Prime Minister and when I agreed to stand down as the leader of the BLP, I recommended Mia Mottley to the Parliamentary group.
I had never invisioned being back in this position, this is a moment that I did not seek. It is a position that I did not yearn for and I would just like to repeat the two things that I said last year, because I believe that this is a culmination of something that started last year that I really, really do wish that Mia Mottley would have led the party to cause the people of Barbados to forget about me.
If there is one thing I do not want to have to do is lead an undivided party. I said that last year as well, and I will just repeat again what I’ve always said. Twenty-five years ago, I came to public life to serve with no expectation of being a Prime Minister or Minister just to serve. I will serve, and will serve with all my heart and all my soul.
Thank You.
