Spotlight on Mia and the Bees

It was the Opposition Barbados Labour Party’s day to shine today and an expectant gathering outside the Parliament Buildings ensured the spotlight fell on party leader Mia Mottley and her colleagues in the House of Assembly.
The mood was generally subdued among the group of BLP supporters, a few of whom were dressed in the party’s colour, red.
Missing was the usual large red BLP banner and the sea of red normally presented by these supporters.
There was, however, no dampening of enthusiasm for Mottley when she arrived around 3.25 p.m. Some loudly hailed her as “Our Prime Minister” when she walked back into the warm embraces and kisses of jubilant women, and a few men pushed through those around her to plant kisses on her cheek.
Many Opposition MPs had already arrived by this time, and assembled outside the Opposition’s offices in the West Wing of Parliament, along with BLP?stalwarts, including Rudy Grant, Desmond Sands and Herbie Yearwood.
Dr Maria Agard, MP for Christ Church West, was among the earliest to arrive, ready to make her first contribution to a Budget debate.
As the Opposition members mingled, Government MPs arrived one after another and headed straight for the House.
Five minutes before the bell rang, signalling the start of the session, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart arrived and headed up the stairs to the House.