As if it matters
Interim Leader of the Barbados Labour Party Mia Mottley was ousted this morning in a coup that saw former Prime Minister Owen Arthur returned to the leadership of the BLP.
Folks, it just shows you that nothing has changed with the Barbados Labour Party.
Prime Minister David Thompson is ill on death’s door, so Owen Arthur and his boys smelled blood in the water and a possible weakened government and they decided to act. Nothing to do with Mottley or her performance or leadership. It’s all about perceived opportunity.
What makes Owen Arthur so much more desirable as BLP leader in contrast to January of 2008 when the public and his party kicked his corrupt ass out onto the street? Ha! Opportunity and nothing else.
The story is still developing but here is part of what Mia Mottley had to say a few minutes ago…
STATEMENT BY THE HON MIA AMOR MOTTLEY, Q.C., M.P.
Mia Mottley will continue to represent the people of St. Michael North East and leave her future in the Barbados Labour Party to “time and God”.
Less than half an hour after being ousted by a group of sitting members of the BLP, led by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who is taking over as Opposition Leader, Mottley issued a statement to the media…
“In public life, I have known defeat and I have known victory. Neither defines you as a person. Values and principles do.
Earlier today, I was informed by His Excellency the Governor General that my appointment as Leader of the Opposition was revoked at the request…”
Continue reading Mia Mottley’s statement at Barbados Today
Barbados Free Press says…
NEVER underestimate the power of public sympathy towards someone who is perceived to be unfairly treated. This “defeat” may be the best thing that ever happened to advance the political career of Mia Mottley. I, Cliverton, predict that in five years or less she will be re-invented and re-invigorated.
This “defeat” provides Mia Mottley with a public disconnection between herself and the old guard. That was the problem with Mia: she was seen as very much a part of the corrupt Arthur government.
Now, she will be seen as an outsider from the “old boys’ network”.
That is just what she needs.
As for Owen Arthur, he could have stepped aside with dignity and cultivated his “wise elder” image.
Mark my words: Owen Arthur will go down in defeat and disgrace. His “best by” date is long past, but he won’t acknowledge the fact gracefully.
Barbados Free Press 
Agreed with your analysis of the current turn of events……no one has however factored in the issue of Ms. Mottley’s gender and the effect that this perceived predjudice (on the part of the “old boys club) may have on the younger female electorate who too are fighting for their place in this surprisingly sexist society. Just something to think about.
true Simone.
But in a few more years of economic chaos and leadership vacuum?
Mottley will return in a few years as a winner. I wouldn’t bet against her being PM a few votes from now.
Cliverton
On the morning of Arch Cot inquiry, good story to further bury that issue.
I am so incensed by this turn of events that I will turn my anger into whole-hearted support for Ms. Mottley. I’m inviting all women to do the same. We know what the real reason is!
The lust for power is never far from those who have eaten the forbidden blood of unbridled and unaccountable power.
Its going to be VERY VERY interesting to see how this unfolds.
I don’t think it was a matter of gender but a nasty quest to take advantage of opportunities for political mileage.
It is scary when one reads a “leader” blaming the victim that he has just ousted. He blames her for having to force him to throw her out; if she had only led the party the people would have forgotten him.
This is precisely what happens in domestic violence and/or spousal abuse or any type of violence that has as it core power, intimidation and control knows that the perpetuator always blame the victim. And it’s interesting that given a country that is facing an increase in these incidents, this blaming a leader for having been ousted, is eerie to say the least.
And where are the throngs of people calling for his return when he speaks of “the people not forgetting him.”
On one hand he claims he didn’t want this. Well if this is the case, then he for certain is the last person to lead; and if this is really so, then all he had to do is speak to the people. Profess his gratitude to them for their love, loyalty and support, but explain to them that his time has passed for “active” politics and ask them to extend the support and loyalty they have for him behind Mia. And then having done that, he also would have thrown all his knowledge, heart and soul into being a player on her team.
This is sad, and what is sadder is that there is an organization like NOW and women in general who permitted a group of ‘old-school-yard-bullies’ oust her without so much as a whimper least a loud and vigorous protest.
Until women in Barbados stand together and hold themselves as worthy of public office and deserving of the same respect as men, there will be many Mia(s) that will suffer this.
What was even more alarming was that all the women who served with her when they had the power were silent, Dame Miller, Liz Thompson, Lynette Eastmond, Jessica Odle.
I am not suggesting that they had thrown their support without thought behind either side, but how this woman was treated is very poor for one who has been so loyal to the party; and this loyalty is evident in her speech today.
It will be interesting to see IF the new leader calls on these women if they will come running. I have no vested interest in either side, I am an outsider, just heartbroken to see a country in which women are so educated, hold such advanced positions, which earn respectable salaries, head households, own their homes, and can hold their own in any argument with educated women all over the world sat back and was silent.
Mia deserved better than this, Barbados deserved better than this; and women in general deserved better than this.
A group of us women from overseas have been discussing this all day, and are in awe that such could have taken place with so little resistance from the country and women as a group.
The Dems are getting their post-Thompson house in order
They will not dissolve into a wake of weeping confusion, as the bees would like to think.
A by-election will be called
and they shall get on with the business at hand
the business they were elected to sort out after 14 yrs. of Owen et alumni.
By the time this nation is fed-up with the Dems
(after 2 terms, the norm) Owen will be in his fancy motorized gold-plated wheelchair
and past his Best by: date, long time passing.
It is sad that some people are making this into a gender war. Are these people aware of Mia’s well earned reputation?
Have you forgotten? Or maybe you didn’t know? Among us animals it’s all about POWER, MONEY, SEX – not necessarily in this order. Wise up! Look around and see. It’s the same all over the world, BDS is no different…. Just stand by and watch it unfold. Stay tuned for the happenings over by the DLP….
Agreed fellows – Nothing to do about gender.
I would say this though: Mia would have made a tyrannical leader!
Why? Because if she was so prepared to hold on to leadership of the Opposition with so much tenacity, if she were PM, one could only conjecture what scheming she would she might have devised to get here way.
Like it or not; a naked thrist for power or not; the Westminster system – parliamentary rules dictate that once you don’t command the support of the majority – you have to give up.
Any one trying to circumvent the rules could only be possessed with seeds of tyranny.
Well said Sista!!
@SISTA
Agreed!
Men would not understand . However in the next election women should send a strong message to the old guard of the BLP! No more OWEN ARTHUR!
I do agree that sometimes we can turn things into a gender problem when there is no need for it to be one but in a situation like this — what else can women think?
After all this conversation, has it been mentioned what exactly Mottley did to be treated like this? If so, I missed it.
Did she steal money? Certainly no more than the fabulous five. Did she abandon her constituency? That’s not what the people in St. Michael say. I know for a fact that she has gotten many a single mother a job.
Then, Arthur had the gaul to say that, “I wish she had led the party in a way to make people forget about me.” I beg your pardon? Didn’t you lose an election 2 years ago? Or have YOU forgotten that?
The fact is, when something like this happens — when a woman is brash, bold and successful you always see men (and other women) jumping to tear her down — now, there is only one conclusion to be drawn. A woman must be demure and know her place. The focus is on what is between her legs, not between her ears.
Even if the situation had been handled in a less school yard way, I could probably see a way to digest it as “politics”. But this … no man … this isn’t right.
I was too young to vote last time, but even now … I honestly just don’t see the point if our political leaders are so callous to one of their own. What does that mean for the rest of us?
There will be no snap election in Barbados. OSA grabbed hold of power today expecting that there will be an election should Thompson go. He will have a long time to wait and I know he cannot survive such a wait.
I am a BLP supporter who will now switch to the DLP. Owen arthur sell by date is gone. He is a spent force. I am sorry for those who believe he is a messiah.
I am canvassing against Owen from tonight.
Plus ca change plus c’est la meme chose ! There is little difference between the two except perhaps for the degree or level of their corruption .Let us hope that the proposed integrity and transparency legislation is passed and comes into effect before the next election ,although members of parliament,especially those who are lawyers,will find a way to continue robbing the public purse .God help us !
So when he was making her minister of this and that and AG and deputy prime minister he wasn’t a chauvinist….but now he is suddenly??? Maybe they aren’t telling you what she did so she can keep her political career and the last time I check David Thompson had lost two elections as leader and he is still PM today.
AS an overseas supporter of a once great party I cannot UNDERSTAND for the life of me how the women in ‘barbados could stand aside and allow a bunch of sexists macho male serial heterosexuals oust a woman who has been so loyal to the party
Owen is nothing but a nasty piece of work who does not deserve to lead his house nevermind Barbasdos
I look forwARD TO THE DAY WHEN HE WILL BE HUMILIATED LIKE MANY OTHER CARIBBEAN POLITICIANS BEFORE HIM WHO DID NOT KNOW WHEN TO QUIT POLITICS ALL THAT I CAN SAY IS THAT OW IS A B—–D AND \A BULLY WHO DESERVES NO HONEST FAIRMINDED PERSONS SUPPORT.
Furthermore…Owen is the only politician who interested in power…yeah right…the rest in it for justice and the Barbadian way….BS….give me a break!Don’t be so self righteous….ppl are either inspired by your leadership or not…..they work with her everyday….what do you know about it? you only looking from the outside….if she can’t lead them how can she lead us?
ummm… wait a minute…
Did Owen really ever step back from the lime light to let Mia rule?
As far as I remember he was still very vocal in the press during her reign.
Maybe Mia will start the 3rd political party that seems to be so badly needed?
What say you people?
Does anyone remember what happened in 2006 with Dr. Estwick and his constituency branch – it will make for some interesting reading. Check out who prpoposed the no confidence motion at that time. We here in Bim defeintely have short memories. The Nation Newspaper reported:
Estwick out?
by NEVILLE CLARKE
Posted: Jan 9, 2006 13:00 UTC
BRIDGETOWN – The St Philip West Branch of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) last night spoke in a loud voice.
They do not want incumbent MP Dr David Estwick to represent them at the next general election.
Last night the branch overwhelmingly passed a resolution expressing no
confidence in the embattled incumbent.
The resolution, which was proposed by constituent and attorney-at-law Adriel Brathwaite and seconded by Fitz Harewood, asked that steps be taken assoon as possible to identify a candidate to carry the party’s banner in the constituency in the next general election.
By a margin of 22 votes with one abstention, the constituents made it clear they no longer had any confidence in Estwick, who failed to turn up at the meeting.
Speaking to the DAILY NATION at the conclusion of the meeting which attracted over 40 party members and supporters, Brathwaite said: “No one is more important than the branch or the DLP. Estwick has publicly said that he has no intention of working with this branch as can be seen from yesterday’s article carried in the SUNDAY SUN and the branch has resolved that the party finds a replacement candidate for Estwick as soon as possible.”
Chairman of the branch, Carl Mapp, said the resolution would be forwarded to general secretary of the party, George Pilgrim, later today.
Mapp also assured the party faithful present that he expected the resolution to be brought before the Executive Council on Wednesday and the General Council at a later date.
Meanwhile, reacting to last night’s development, Estwick said that “no illegitimate management committee of St Philip West can call a branch meeting of the membership”, and has scheduled a Press conference for 10 a.m. today at his branch office at Garrett Road, Mangrove, St Philip.
Questioning the legality of yesterday’s meeting which was held at Princess Margaret Secondary School, the St Philip West MP said: “The Executive Council for 2004/2005 ruled that the management committee which called yesterday’s meeting was illegal and ruled that it could not hold office in St Philip West because several of the members were not resident in the constituency.
“This is in breach of Clause 41 of the party’s constitution. This means that the management committee cannot determine anything about the constituency.”
This is not a gender issue. It’s about political opportunity, pure & simple. If it was a man the coup d’etat would of still happened all the same. Mia was never a threat to the DLP, Owen was. Sinckler is not seen as a formidable foe. Hence the hounds smelling blood have pick a 3 star leader.
It goes deeper. With Owen at the helm, the elites have an ally in him. No more hard sell of Barbados assets in foreign hands. The rich gets richer. The poor gets poorer and Bim slides further under the hangman noose.
With the ‘beautiful’ ending statement – I did the best I could do under the present circumstances.
That man called Arthur do not cease to amaze me. There is no one, when it comes to articulations, can verbalized like Mia. But there is no one that is much a tactician or trickster like Owen. Mia the old people say ‘too much intelligence and no commonsense still make you dumb.’ You were dumb and blinded not to see this coming. You are the strength of the BLP but you are also a threat. Pick sense from your ousting and ask yourself where do your true loyalties lies.
Are we supposed to forget all the scandals that were unmasked the last 3 years? What are they thinking?!?! His name is synonymous with corruption!
Here we go again…
People, just elect me Empress of Barbados already and I promise that after I take care of all the neglected animals I’ll straighten out our little Rock good an proper 😉 I can guarantee you anything would be an improvement over the current two faced monster we have!
Psychologist: Very interesting thought…………….Mia, you listening?
Psychologist postured..
Maybe Mia will start the 3rd political party that seems to be so badly needed?
What say you people?
……………………………..
Good idea -but don’t forget that Richie Haynes poured a few million dollars into the NDP some ten? yrs. ago.
What are you and I going to do better than him that would make a third party survive?
Universally it would seem that civilized humanity prefers two-party politics
as seen in anything like 80-90% of the international countries I can think of.
Third parties rarely get past the marginal stage.
-a great pity,actually!
“Multi-party systems are systems in which more than two parties are represented and elected to public office.
Australia, Canada, Pakistan, India, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom and Norway are examples of countries with two strong parties and additional smaller parties that have also obtained representation. The smaller or “third” parties may form a part of a coalition government together with one of the larger parties or act independently from the other dominant parties.
More commonly, in cases where there are three or more parties, no one party is likely to gain power alone, and parties work with each other to form coalition governments. This has been an emerging trend in the politics of the Republic of Ireland since the 1980’s and is almost always the case in Germany on national and state level, and in most constituencies at the communal level. Furthermore since the forming of the Republic of Iceland there has never been a government not led by a coalition (usually of the Independence Party & one other often the Social Democratic Alliance. Political change is often easier with a coalition government than in one-party or two-party dominant systems.” Wikpedia
Necessity is the Mother of Invention especially when the existing two party system refuses to listen and act responsibly
The audio clips in this video come from two different meetings – one is at Christ Church South where Arthur displays a vindictive element despite the video portraying otherwise…
At the end of the highlights, he disavows himself from Hartley Henry’s claim he wishes to lead the BLP again – yet at Selah Primary this is exactly what he begged for! Listen CAREFULLY….
Observe how the Media’s questions are not truly welcomed and dodged wherever possible!
1. Sub-titles in English, please??
Hard to understand a word Owen says..as usual.
He jabbers on, seemingly in some sort of creole Pidgin English?
2. Notice the defensive body language speaking loudly!
-all three people in the picture have arms folded against their chests in an attempt to secure themselves, as they keep ‘the enemy’ at a distance.
😀 LOL There is a way to do that, have to see how..
SCUM.
Owen Arthur seized power from Mia Mottley only 4 days before the death of Prime Minister David Thompson.
Thompson was ten times the man Arthur will ever be.
Arthur is such a fucking opportunist with no shame.
@As if it Matters
“What makes Owen Arthur so much more desirable as BLP leader in contrast to January of 2008 when the public and his party kicked his corrupt ass out onto the street?”
This is illogical, even hypocritical! Maybe the answer is:-
The same thing that made Mr.Thompson desirable in January 2008, after he and his party were in 1999 (to use your terminology)unceremonially kicked onto the street in probably what was the worst electoral defeat ever handed to a leader and his party! Remember the DLP only managed 2 seats?
And also don’t forget that after that massive defeat, Mr.Thompson ran away leaving Senator Mascoll to fight hard to retrieve some positioning…….which he did!
***********************************
@Passing Thru October 23, 2010 at 12:13 pm
With regard to Mr.Arthur being an opportunist, and bearing in mind my above comment, please tell me who was your “expletive” opportunist in 2003 when the hard-working Mascoll was so cruelly shoved aside?
maybe Arthur’s taking over the party is a strategy to protect Mia and is a way of preserving her for the future.