FORMER OPPOSITION LEADER Mia Mottley remains unhappy with the manner in which she was removed from that post, but has buried the hatchet.
And last night at College Savannah she joined her colleagues in supporting Hudson Griffith as the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP)?candidate in the January 20 St John by-election.
At what was the largest turn-out for the BLP since the launch of the campaign just over a week ago, Mottley said that she would not be “spiteful” in spite of her unceremonious removal from political office last November when she was replaced by former prime minister Owen Arthur.
“This is my first time on a platform since being removed as Leader of the Opposition,” she said. “Let me say from the outset I accept the wishes of my parliamentary colleagues, even though I reserve the right to be concerned about the manner in which it unfolded.”
Mottley, parliamentary representative for St Michael Northeast, did not dwell on the issue although she did say:
“At this stage of my life, I judge my own actions, based on what I believe to be right; I can spend precious time trying to get back at people and be spiteful but that is not me.
“Or, I can recognise that potholes and diversions are common and that I must navigate them according to the roadmap of values and principles that I hold dear – that is me.”
Mottley went on to tell the vociferous supporters why it was necessary for her to add her voice to the campaign.
“I have been around long enough to know that it is not about me or any single individual, and neither is this by-election. This by-election finds us in a sad, sad state of affairs, where people are struggling for their very survival and our beautiful Barbados is adrift.
“So what is the answer?. I’m telling you that the answer can be found in three simple words: caring, sharing and daring. And over the course of this campaign , I will address each of the three at every meeting at which I speak.”
Mottley’s entrance onto the stage was greeted by thunderous applause, ending speculation that she would not be joining the BLP campaign.