The following is the tribute from former leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley.
In this week I have come to fully understand that the Will of God cannot be questioned. This does not in any way diminish the grief that we inevitably feel at moments such as this.
The passing of The Prime Minister the Honourable David Thompson at such a young age may test our faith and our spirituality both as individuals and as a nation. But we must never question the will of God.
I knew David from school days. While we served on opposite sides of the political aisle for the last two decades there was always mutual respect. This was sometimes misunderstood in the deep but unfortunate tribalism of Barbadian politics.
There was no doubt from his days at school what his passion was. His was a life of public service. His love of Barbados was clear to all. His commitment to his party was unquestionable.
As a leader he excited intense emotional reactions. Whether you agreed with his views or not you could not deny that he was the consummate politician of his generation.
While David was the Prime Minister of Barbados, we must remember that
first and foremost he was a husband and father. It is to his family – Mara and their daughters that my thoughts go. I cannot but help think of the tragic loss they are feeling. For them, as well as his parents and brothers and sisters it will be a daily loss.
I pray God’s blessings upon them and trust that they will be comforted in the knowledge that he has been relieved of his pain and he has gone to rest.
Mia Amor Mottley Q.C., M.P.
