Local NewsNews Mottley lost for words by DePeiza’s analysis of Throne Speech by Barbados Today 16/09/2020 written by Barbados Today 16/09/2020 2 min read A+A- Reset Mia Mottley Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 277 Prime Minister Mia Mottley is bewildered by the statements of the President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Verla DePeiza in response to yesterday’s throne speech. In a radio interview today, Mottley said “for the first time in my political life I am lost for words,” as she questioned how she should respond to DePeiza. Earlier DePeiza told Barbados TODAY, “Our Head of State was forced down into this arena for the first time ever, with a statement replete with tired clichés from the last campaign trail.” “There were no new initiatives to justify the proroguing of Parliament and a fresh throne speech. It is clear that Prime Minister Mottley is desperately seeking to reinvigorate her tired and patently incompetent administration in the eyes of a bitterly disappointed electorate,” she added. In response, Mottley said: “My initial thought was that she prepared that comment well in advance of the throne speech being delivered, so it was probably prepared last week and removed from the ice last evening.” The Prime Minister mocked the DLP leader’s comments saying she was tempted to send DePeiza the right copy of the speech delivered by the Governor-General. PM Mottley said DePeiza was clearly out of touch. “Cleary the version that she has did not deal with the $40 million COVID programme to engage over 2,200 Barbadians or the BEST programme for tourism or the Lears land lease and security programme,” Mottley said. The Prime Minister rubbished DePeiza’s claims of the throne speech being warmed-over soup. “I am not sure how you warm over soup that was never cooked, but with Verla, we have come to expect the unthinkable…My second observation has to do with the fact that by admitting that this Government is doing the things the former administration promised, well that is why 74 per cent of the voters of Barbados sent us there.” Hinting at the upcoming election for the DLP’s party leadership, Mottley suggested that DePeiza might be “a little nervous” and advised her not to make such gaffes. Mottley also took the time to challenge whoever is victorious in the DLP election. “I really hope that after the September 27 election, that if George Pilgrim is the new president of the Democratic Labour Party that he would be more constructive and more purposeful. Barbados needs its leaders to rise to the challenges. That is who we are,” she said. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like ‘Unanimous’ selection of Blackman for St James North by-election 25/04/2025 Murder accused pleads not guilty to eight charges 25/04/2025 Barbadians divided on corporal punishment, survey finds 25/04/2025
