Put principle before party and party before personality.
These were the words of former leader of the Barbados Labour Party Mia Mottley as she emerged from the Opposition office in Parliament yard this afternoon.
Mottley was toppled as leader earlier today when some members of the parliamentary group met at party headquarters at Roebuck Street St Michael and “unanimously” returned former Prime Minister Owen Arthur to the helm.
Mottley says she struggled and prayed about attending this morning’s meeting, which she first learned about via Facebook and the media.
Pledging that she will be “sincere and honest” Mottley says if members wanted a meeting they just had to ask and it would have been convened.
“What message are you sending to young people? They should never feel that this is the way to solve differences,” she says.
“Right is right and wrong is wrong” she says.
Mottley, who was surrounded by supporters, says principles and ethics are her compass “all her life”.
“I know no other way”.
Mottley says she will continue to put her country first, noting her ultimate purpose is to serve her constituency and the people of Barbados.
She says this has been her firm belief since entering public life in July 1989.
Mottley, who has been BLP political leader for the last 33 months, says Barbados needs a new direction.
“It has been an honour to lead the Barbados Labour Party”.
Mottley thanked her constituents, parliamentary colleagues and those in and outside of BLP.
