POMP AND CEREMONY marked the historic State Opening of Parliament yesterday when Barbados’ first female Prime Minister Mia Mottley officially took her seat at the head of Government.
But though the usual band of supporters assembled outside the gates were very vocal in acknowledgement of their parliamentary representatives and others arriving for the event, the big excitement was within the precincts of Parliament, created by the record 900 guests invited to witness the occasion.
They represented a cross-section of society, from diplomats to leaders in business and Government, hard-working campaigners in constituencies, to the wide representation of young people and relatives of the new parliamentarians.
The shrill sound of a fire alarm sounding in the West Wing of Parliament triggered a prompt response from the nearby Probyn Street headquarters of the Barbados Fire Service. But that was not enough to deflect attention from the moment, as people quickly turned their attention back to the main activity. (GC)
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