Mottley points to importance of ‘people’ at Founder’s Day Service

Leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Prime Minister Mia Mottley is reminding members that without people, the 81-year-old institution is nothing.

Delivering remarks at the Party’s Founders’ Day Service, held at Calvary Moravian Church, Roebuck Street, this morning, Mottley said she wanted her leadership to reflect that people matter at the beginning, middle, and end.

She said because people matter, there was realism to life, which is not a fairy tale.

“And in our own lives, we know heights, and we know terrace. In our lives we know times when we have to pray, and when we have to bow. In our own lives we know times when we can jump in jubilation. Our journey is no different,” Mottley said.

“The journey of this party is the journey of the people. And to that extent, I ask us simply, let us stay focused. Let us remain anchored in those values that have inspired not only Grantley Adams, but all who were surrounding him, at every stage of every level, and all who came on the journey subsequently. And let us remember that our journey is not only to bring along those in the country, but to be able to inspire those who we must bring to help this journey of the party. We can sometimes take it for granted, but I ask all of us not to.”

The leader pointed out that there were many young people in society, in need of support, love and mentorship. She said the BLP was one of the institutions with a duty to reach out to the youth in whatever way possible.

“And I don’t mean in politics, I mean in that simple way that I spoke when I first became leader in 2008. That we have to help people to sleep easier when the night come. And those people don’t only mean old people, it doesn’t only mean poor people, it means any and everybody. And there are multiple ways in which we have the skills and the capacity to make people lives different,” Mottley said.

“I ask therefore individually and collectively to rise up and to make that difference. Be that difference that our country so badly needs, that our people so badly want, and that our legacy so much requires from us. And if we can do that, then we can lift our heads high knowing full well that we are truly on a new journey, but anchored in a set of legacy and values that have been there to inspire so many, but shall remain, to inspire many more.”

Reverend Adrian Smith addressed the topic Stay The Course, in his sermon.

Smith advised those gathered that if they are to stay the course, they must learn from the past through remembering their story and lessons learnt. He encouraged the party’s leadership not to be arrogant, but to place God at the forefront of all policies and decisions.

“The call for us is till to live lives that are righteous, to live lives that are holy. And it does not just apply to the Prime Minister, it applies to everyone. You see that’s the problem. We only want leaders to do what is right, but you who follow the party, and you who sit in the pew, you got to do right. The church is not just the preachers with the collar, the church is everybody. The party is not just the executive, the party is everybody,” the Reverend said.

The party’s executive, Members of Parliament, and members of Calvary Moravian, participated in the over two-hour service. (AH)