Cheers for MPs 

Despite afternoon heat in The City, scores of Barbadians proceeded to the outskirts of Parliament to show their support for Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the Cabinet, and Members of Parliament, as the country waited anxiously to hear Mottley’s 2024-2025 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals.

It was just after 2 p.m. that MPs, many dressed from head to toe in the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) colour, red, began to arrive. Many lawmakers stopped to greet delighted party supporters who loudly voiced their approval for the current administration’s efforts thus far.

Prior to Mottley’s arrival, MPs Cynthia Forde, Adrian Forde, Edmund Hinkson, Indar Weir, and Attorney General Dale Marshall received some of the biggest cheers, with party members even hugging and giving words of encouragement to embattled MP Neil Rowe.

Most surprising for the afternoon was some of the muted but still visible support former government backbencher turned Opposition Leader Ralph Throne received as he drove in.

Though the excited supporters failed to convey their full satisfaction at their arrival, several Barbadians did momentarily smile and wave to the former member on the government side, with even long-time BLP member Patricia Parris welcoming Thorne affectionately.

Prime Minister Mottley arrived roughly ten minutes before her 3 p.m. address and was presented with flowers before she quickly made her way to several excited supporters who showered her with praise.

Many shouted “Love you Mia” and “Keep up the good job” as the country’s leader made her way through Parliament yard.

One supporter who requested anonymity told Barbados TODAY though she was in full support of the administration, she hoped that something would be done about the high cost of living.

“I would like some of the goods in the supermarket go down [in price]. The poor people suffering, man, and I would like to see that go down, that is the truth. I [also] would not like to see no more taxes,” she said.

One other supporter who described himself as a “man from Christ Church”, said: “Give we something good.”

(SB)