Speaker of the House of Assembly Michael Carrington and Opposition Leader Mia Mottley yesterday decried the adversarial Westminster model of Barbados’ 375-year-old Parliament, stating that the strong rivalry was sometimes unnecessary.
Mottley stated that a 21st century Barbados required a modernised governance structure which could move beyond slavish adherence to the Westminster model with its pro forma speeches, repetitious debates, and opposing for the sake of opposing.
“Hunkering down behind the traditional battle lines of political tribalism cannot help this country. Bipartisan cooperation, led by a new generation of patriots who put the national interest above all else, is what Barbados needs.
“Indeed, it is what Barbadians demand,” Mottley told the joint commemorative session presided over by Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave and featuring all Members of Parliament (MPs) sitting together to the right of the Speaker and senators on the opposite side. (RJ)
