President urges MPs to show resilience as new term begins

President Jeffrey Bostic has called on eight newly sworn-in Members of Parliament to embrace the rigours of public service with resilience, sacrifice and integrity as they begin their five-year term.

Taking the oath at State House were Peter Phillips (St Lucy), Dwight Sutherland (St George South), Dr William Duguid (Christ Church West), Dr Sonia Browne (St Philip North), Toni Moore (St George North), Neil Rowe (St Michael North West), and first-time MPs Ryan Brathwaite (St Joseph) and Tyra Trotman (St Michael Central).

As Prime Minister Mia Mottley, senior ministers and family members looked on, President Bostic underscored the weight of their responsibility, describing the role as demanding and deeply sacrificial.

He said: “It is not easy agreeing to serve your country in this capacity; it is very hard work, very tough, very demanding. It is selfless service, but it is a service that we, all of us who are Barbadians, should be willing to do and to sacrifice self in the interests of our country.”

He charged them to represent their constituents faithfully and uphold national values.

“I expect that you will perform your duties well, that you will represent the people and that at all times you will commit to this country and to whatever the country stands for, which is excellence, pride and industry.”

The Head of State also cautioned that public life comes with scrutiny and criticism, urging resilience, reprising a defiant motto that characterised the retired army officer’s stint as minister of health during the COVID crisis five years ago.

“There must be no retreat, no surrender,” he said. “Stick to the task, remain focused and make Barbados proud of you.”

Prime Minister Mottley described the new parliamentary term which is set to open on Friday as both exciting and challenging, expressing enthusiasm about building on reforms introduced during the previous term, particularly strengthening the role of standing committees.

She urged parliamentary committees to go beyond reviewing legislation by examining major national issues and facilitating structured public input.

“It cannot be that the only feedback in the country is either social media or call-in programmes, valid as both are in being able to capture a snapshot,” she said.

Mottley stressed the importance of formal citizen engagement through parliamentary subcommittees on economic, social, environmental and governance matters.

For new MPs, she recommended studying Hansard, the official record of parliamentary debates, to better understand parliamentary responsibility and tradition.

“Hansard will guide you as to how previous generations and previous members engaged with their responsibilities on behalf of their constituents,” she said.

Noting that Hansard reports date back to 1946, the prime minister suggested that modern technology should help bring parliamentary records fully up to date.

“We live in a world of immediate technological summaries being available in a way that was not the case before in previous parliaments,” she told her parliamentary colleagues. “I’m sure your constituents are very happy, and I look forward to them being very happy in five years’ time too.”