Home » Posts » ‘This is all about Mottley’

‘This is all about Mottley’

by Barbados Today
4 min read
A+A-
Reset

A noted Historian contends that the Mia Mottley Government’s decision to remove November 30 as Independence Day is “just one of other changes” that Barbadians may soon have to accept as the rule of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) continues under Mottley.

This evening Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, announced that last week the Mottley Cabinet made the decision to repeal Independence Day to instead mark November 30 as Barbados National Day.

But retired trade unionist Robert “Bobby” Morris warns that “it is certainly possible” that next on the chopping block might be January 21 which is celebrated annually as Errol Barrow Day, to recognise the “Father of Independence” and National Hero, the Right Excellent Errol Barrow. In 1996 an attempt was made to do just that by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur but it had to be abandoned after public outrage. However, according to Morris, this action may now become a possibility this time around given Government’s latest move and especially given the fact that the changes to the new Constitution of Barbados have not yet been made public.

“[The BLP] would have backed off from moving away from Errol Barrow Day up to this time but we still do not know if that is something that agitates her [Mottley’s] mind. And we are in the process of looking to change our Constitution and I believe you have to wait and see the outcome of that because I believe that in the long run that is not something that is  going to a vote.  . . . I think that will come from a recommendation that will come from a group of persons to the Prime Minister and that the Prime Minister, once her party accepts the recommendation, will accept,” Morris stated.

In the lead-up to Barbados’ move to a Republic state last year, PM Mottley promised Barbadians that her administration would not make any changes to the name of Independence Day.  Public condemnation of the move today however prompted Mottley, who is currently on leave, to further explain her decision to walk back on last year’s promise.

She wrote to her verified Instagram page: “Irrespective of how the Government has felt about this issue last year and the decision we made, there is the reality that there has been confusion as to how the election of the 1st Barbadian Head of State would be celebrated without undermining the significance of Nov 30, 1966.

“It is not either one or the other. Both are milestones in our journey.  And as a 56-year-old country we must act with our minds focused on the future. Barbados National Day, on November 30th, allows us to celebrate both the attainment of Independence and the attainment of becoming a Parliamentary Republic with a native Barbadian as President. The fact is, our Independence from Britain is not being rewritten from our history. We can allay the fears of those who are concerned about that. But equally we have to celebrate the election of our first President,” the Prime Minister maintained.

Although in her statement Mottley stated the reason for the change to Barbados National Day was to celebrate Barbados’ two most significant events, Morris on the other hand argued that there was absolutely no reason why Independence Day on November 30 could not have been continued and while still acknowledging Barbados becoming a Republic. For example, as occurs in Trinidad and Tobago, both Independence and Republic Day are celebrated on separate days.

Morris questioned the “real” reason for the change but insisted he did not think it was to erase or erode the accomplishments and legacy of Barrow and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), as some have suggested.

He said: “I can understand why people would feel that, I think that is nigh impossible but I believe it is more to assert the present Prime Minister than to try to erode and erase the name of Errol Walton Barrow. I do not agree with the change and I think it is part of what happens when the electorate have given up their right to determine many affairs in their country,” he said. (KC)

You may also like

About Us

Barbados Today logos white-14

The (Barbados) Today Inc. is a privately owned, dynamic and innovative Media Production Company.

Useful Links

Get Our News

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

Barbados Today logos white-14

The (Barbados) Today Inc. is a privately owned, dynamic and innovative Media Production Company.

BT Lifestyle

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Accept Privacy Policy

-
00:00
00:00
Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00