Retired MP to take up diplomatic post

Member of Parliament for St George North Gline Clarke has retired from elective politics but will continue to serve Barbados in the new position of High Commissioner to Canada.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) stalwart’s new assignment at the St George North branch meeting on Sunday, after the retiring politician thanked members of the constituency for their faith and support over the last two and a half decades.

Clarke revealed to the audience that Prime Minister Mottley had made him a job offer a few weeks ago, and after discussion with close family members he decided to accept it.

“So, the Prime Minister asked me, and I asked the Lord to show me the way, I asked my sister to show me the way, I asked my family. I must say that after these consultations, I have accepted this offer which the Prime Minister will say to you what it is, because you can’t pre-empt the Prime Minister,” he said. “I want to tell the people of St. George North and South, I will always continue to look after the interests of St George North.”

Clarke also relieved many of the initiatives and activities he executed in the parish – from repaving of roads to creation of new jobs, and general improvement of constituents’ lives over the last 26 years he has represented them.

However, acknowledging that all that work could not have been done on his own, he graciously thanked his BLP colleagues for all they did for him.

“This party has given me great hope over the years. It has given me almost everything that I have. This Barbados Labour Party is the political institution in this Barbados. I do not know if I would have done anything else. I came to serve. As Sir Richard [Cheltenham] always reminded me, the greatest honour you can ever have is to serve your people. I want to believe, as I have been elected to St George over the years. It has been an honour,” Clarke said.

During her remarks, in which she paid tribute to Clarke for his sterling service in the community, Prime Minister Mottley announced that he would take up the position of Barbados’ High Commissioner to Canada next month.

“The trips I made to Canada in recent years, when I was Leader of the Opposition, Gline Clarke was with me. The response of the people in Canada to this gentleman confirmed in my mind that the right person for the job at this time in Canada, for the representation of the people of Barbados, is Gline Arley Clarke,” she said.

Mottley also announced that within 90 days, a by-election will be called to fill the now vacant St George North seat. (SB)