Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley has defended his decision to launch a new political party a year after crossing the floor of Parliament to become Opposition Leader.
During the first political meeting of the People’s Party for Democracy and and Development (PdP), Atherley accused Prime Minister Mia Mottley of implicitly suggesting that he was not valued as a sitting member of the ruling party.
Atherley however assured a crowd at the All Souls Church in Bank Hall, St Michael on Sunday night that his decision to abandon the BLP was not motivated by the $129,000 opposition leader’s annual salary. Instead, he stressed the decision was made with the best interest of his St Michael West constituents and the wider public in mind.
Pointing to his exclusion from the Prime Minister’s bloated cabinet, Atherley claims he took advantage of an opportunity to serve in opposition and as leader of the PdP.
“If you appoint 26 people to a cabinet out of 30 and then you make another one the speaker, another one the deputy speaker and another one the chairman of committees… and you look at Joseph Atherley, who has served as a parliamentary secretary, who has served in the Cabinet of Barbados, in the office of the Prime Minister, who has represented this country at home and abroad…something is wrong,” Atherley argued.
“I say it’s a clear message that I don’t want you…for whatever reason, ‘I don’t want you’ and it could not have been based on past performance. So I had to ask myself, where could I best serve the people of St Michael West and the people of Barbados,” he recalled.
The Opposition Leader further stressed contrary to popular belief, he was neither upset with Mottley nor did he favor former BLP leader and long-time Prime Minister Owen Arthur as party leader over Mottley.
“I tell you it is not about money, it is not about vexation of spirit because there are those on the other side today who are far more vexed with the Prime Minister than Joseph Atherley,” he said.
“The Constitution of Barbados lays some demands upon us… It demands there be a physical presence representing the alternative opinion embodied and seated on the other side and somebody has to do it. Our Constitution anticipates an actual opposition. Our democracy dictates that ,” said Atherley.
“There are certain institutions whose functions are triggered by the role of the opposition in the Parliament of Barbados. There are certain checks and balances, which are built into the system that allow a leader in the Lower House, who can appoint senators in the Upper House.”
Atherley however did not hide his desire for former PM Arthur to join his new party.
“I wish he would join us because his is a fertile mind with experience and the
Barbados economy needs a brain like that at this time.”
During Sunday night’s well-attended meeting, members of the new party, including fledging politician and business, Scott Weatherhead and veteran trade unionist, Caswell Franklyn zeroed in on numerous issues including Government’s controversial debt restructuring and the perceived neglect of working-class Barbadians through government’s policies.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb
Why, come clean, suggest why
When people find it hard to follow, you can be assured they would find it hard to lead! This man has not the qualities to lead. Loyalty is a precious commodity and it is obvious he does not have it. He was looking for a position in Mia’s cabinet and definitely more money, so it was about self-aggrandisement. What is he saying? The people chosen for the positions in Mia’s cabinet not qualified? If he wants to be the opposition that is his prerogative but his character comes into question. I wonder what his answer to the debt issue in Barbados would be? Could he do better than what PM Mottley and her administration have put together? I doubt it! He does have what it takes!!
You will never be Prime Minister of our Barbados your agenda is questionable your integrity is questionable you obviously think we are short sited save up the salary you earning now because it is your last in that position .
What the PM want you for , couldn’t even win back the seat for Arthur twice and you only got back there by riding on the wings of change, you.are.a opportunistic person looking for fame before you pass on but you will never be prine minister of this land.
Playboy shut up and go preach do
Always thought he did that because he didn’t get a Ministry.
Mr Atherley you amazed me and you should know better with this argument as a man of God ,who walk with God as you claim to be.There are countless examples in the bible that you follow where God has greater things in store for his people,but they time was not yet.So you are saying to me you are unable to wait until God elevate you ,but I am not pointing to what you have done, from your speech here it is telling me that you are not a man who is not willing to let God lead you ,but taking matters into your own hands.Remember we can prayer to God on a particular issue ,but you know God answers on such request are yes,no,wait and these are according to his will and to his honour and glory.What I grasp from your speech here is once no position or leadership role is not given to you ,then you will not follow or wait until your time is come.Well sir you knows best and let’s see how far your party will go.
And these are the ppl setting the examples for us to follow in God’s footsteps shameful !
Jesus wept
I’ve had no respect for this man man from day one.
The money wanted he
So from the comments above mia is now a God. She gave Bishop Atherley a political life and a seat, which he had won while she were still in political pampers.
I see things differently and base on the calamity that the country now faces I am fortified that God positioned Bishop Atherley in this position at this time to rescue the poor people of this country.
God did not design for mia to give Bishop Atherley a ministry, in fact God’s plan for Barbados is being worked out exactly as he intended.
The lies and deception told to the people of Barbados and the pain and suffering being inflicted on the poor could not have been part of God’s plan and so Bishop Atherley, most definitely could not have been part of that government.
God has ordain his action so that inspite of Government’s refusal to provide the funds set aside by Parliament, which the said BLP received when they were the opposition, he has attended every sitting of Parliament and his party continues grow and receive encouragement from the people of Barbados.
There is a new day dawning in the spiritual, socioeconomic and political of this nation of God fearing people.
The whole of me is red even the tie I’m wearing. Remember
You wait till now to speak d ppl beg u we ask u we plea with u we demanded a explanation from you an refuse u dance round d question why did u do it u said u had nothing against d p.m an now u gine bring dis statement this insulting statement to d ppl in ur constituency ur time has pass go home an rest enjoy d rest of ur days
If a politician says it is not about money would you believe him?
LOOKA YOU THO,, YOU AINT EVEN SHAME, so because you aint get a pick you decide to leave and turn coat, and now want to cut she throat, well all that i can say is that it was jealousy on your part, back stabber, she saw right through you, and i glad, another back stabber in my family, you got ya aunt crying shame of you, if this was something to kill her at 92 she would die,,
Really always knew you was fake
This isn’t what he said a year ago. These people aren’t to be trusted.
So sad it has taken him one year to tell the people who voted for him this.
Oh how sad and truly tragic to learn that our boy Atherley did not become the opposition leader based on ideological differences with the BLP, but purely because he threw a massive sulk when he did not get a Ministerial pick in 2018! Forget tragic, this is pathetic.
Ohhh…sooo…because you ain’t get little pick …it pick you …cud dear …
And now you beating same ppl that feed you …
Pastor you could come better than that man …
If you are a true man of God – We will never know.
If you are there just there for the money – We will never know.
If you have our interest at heart – We will never know…Because most Politicians are good at camouflaging their true agendas and at the end happy with their big pensions and other perks.
So as the saying goes – We will have to wait on God for a sign…Just praying it is not an earthquake, hurricane or a great flood…Maybe, the parting of the Red Sea that was used to cover the Barbados map 25 May 2018…What is questionable is why wait a whole year to say the PM never wanted you, when you initially indicated different? I will sit back and wait on a sign.
He really got nerve if he is working for God, he would not be a divider he would be trying to unite the party man go and sit down and go and do God’s work if that is what you are call to do
Sometimes reality is a bitter pill,his Modus operandi no longer fit to this current administration
Kirt Jordan
I hope this is the gospel truth
Whine,whine,whine,pun de pulpit,in de parliament…
Pine,pine,pine ,you ain’t tired yet???please resign…
People need to humble, you served in the past cabinet, time to give some new and younger people a chances
I am amazed by the willingness of people to vilify and to castigate in the name of so-called party allegiance the sad thing is throughout history when people blindly follow any party or skewed doctrine with unabated fervour it often leads to regimes that they later abhor. It is time for some to stop being so myopic and be rational, there is absolutely nothing wrong with people choosing different courses, the ideal path must lead to the betterment of the country where there must be checks and balances, a viable opposition is absolutely necessary.
You can’t serve2 masters at the same time .Choose one boss
Most of you on this thread are like sheep. You follow Mia blindly while she give money to her friends and family and you nothing for defending her. Who is it that really benefits from the support of politicians BLP, DLP, nap or Atheley’s party? Can you say you and the. Oh try is better off now than we were two years ago? If yes give me some examples.
Still eating and drinking…with the BLP
You right to try to fool the people. You are a politician.
Did not I tell the public I didn’t like his (decietful) looking behaviour! He didn’t look ginuen .He should have do like Mascoll leave the party if he felt left out. But noooo he decide to piggy back to achieve his desire.even the ones who vote for u u let down.
Jesus is Lord
Tell the Truth
Alternative lifestyle
Bibical teachings about Sodom and Gomorrah
After Addle Egg give his blessings when called upon to Pray, Conscience now Kick in
Now realize Barabbas and not Jesus was people’s Choice and Pontius Pilate freed him at the Passover feast in Jerusalem, while keeping Jesus
JOE BLOKE ,that isn’t what you said LAST YEAR…but true to form…ALL POLITICIANS give speeches to SUIT the occasion.
Hope you remember the saying….if one says there are genuine,one must have a good memory.
It is evidently clear that the now opposition leader was vexed that he wasn’t named in the Cabinet to hold a portfolio… Ever so welcomed… Wait for your calling.. Hope your new party thrives.
Atherley is Owen Arthur’s puppet.
A byelection should have been held immediately in the constituency he ran in and in light of every thing his political career would probably have been over at that point !
He get and piggy back off the funds of the BLP knowing well enough his intentions!
And you now wait until now to speak out, how can the people have faith in you or anything that you say going forward!
Mr. Atherley, I truly believe that your motives are pure, and that you have the best interest of our country at heart, so go and do what our democracy demands..
Goodness the BLP swarm come out in full force.
How many of you, who are criticising Atherely, would change (or consider changing) jobs for that exact reason?
All the blp operatives out to crucify the man for speaking…bet if he came out and said Mia was the best thing since sliced bread..all of you would be praising him..such hypocrisy..
Have mercy on this man Lord..
@Sylvan Greenidge
You want to tell us about that car you were supposed to raffle some years ago at Community Development?
Mia didn’t want he so he left. what he going do when he realize that the electorate don’t want him no more?
Let the goodly Bishop say what he have to say. I would advise him not to mind all of the BLP operatives. I wish him all the best in the future.
@ Carl Harper
Can you tell us when Greenland Landfill will be Opened
After spending $30 Million
Money gone in people’s Pockets, Done Spend and no Landfill to Show
It had always amaze me that these ppl who called them selves GOD FEARING PPL FROM ALL RELIGIONS DO ALL THEY NASTY DEEDS ETC IN THE NAME OF WHICH EVER GOD THEY SERVE, THEY KILL, STEAL, LIE IN THE NAME OF THEY GOD, ppl who go to churches moss, where every some of them are the worst ppl you will ever come across,
…and here I was thinking that his rationale was truly altruistic…
we in Barbados must not allow political affiliation cloud our judgement, had it not been for Mr.Atherley heading the opposition we in Barbados would see a deadly change in the way things are done here, we need an opposition plain and simple btw parliament is sooooo boring