Farley sworn in as newest Govt senator

Senator Reginald Farley has committed himself to the protection and furtherance of Barbados’ democracy as he shifts his focus from the Foreign Service, to the Upper House of Parliament.

On Thursday, he was sworn in as a Government Senator by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason in the presence of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Attorney General Dale Marshall, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Jerome Walcott.

He will be elected President of the Senate at the next sitting following the departure of Sir Richard Cheltenham who retired on August 5.

Farley returned to the island from serving in Ottawa as Barbados’ High Commissioner to Canada where he led the country’s diplomatic mission in that country through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Describing his new appointment as an honour, he sees his new journey as a return home to the Houses of Parliament where he entered public life as a senator from 1994 to 1999 and as an elected member of the Lower House from 1999 to 2008.

“To be asked to go to the Parliament of Barbados is like going home, and to be asked to serve as one of the two presiding officers is really a deep honour. Let us remember that our Legislature is very important. The reality is that the Parliament has responsibility for setting the legislative agenda that is for the development of the country,” he told reporters.

The newest senator further noted the importance of Parliament in shaping its policy in keeping with the swiftly changing world that is currently grappling with the pandemic. He is also keen to work closely with up and coming public figures and prospective politicians.

“I look forward with great anticipation in this COVID environment and in the post-COVID environment where the world has notably changed, for the Government to introduce an active legislative programme that reflects the things we need to do to ensure Barbados’ competitiveness, ensure that our new economy is buttressed by law and certainty while preserving the rights, freedoms and privileges that democracies are required to have. So for me, it is very exciting. I certainly will commit to maintaining the hounour and dignity of the Chamber and I look forward to working with my fellow senators to get the job done,” Senator Farley added.

The former High Commissioner is satisfied with the strides made during his stint in Canada, noting that Barbados and CARICOM’s relationship with the northern nation was strengthened significantly.

“The other six CARICOM High Commissioners worked hard over the last two years to strengthen the relationship and in February this year, we were due to have a visit with President Trudeau . . . and it was agreed that we would not only have these high-level prime ministerial meetings, but working meetings and a CARICOM-Canada dialogue was agreed upon,” he explained.

Looking back on his tenure, the former MP said he was also happy with the success of the Embassy throughout the COVID-19 shutdowns and the work done to strengthen the relationship between the Barbadian diaspora in Canada and their homeland in the Caribbean. (kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)