Support for Mottley running for third term

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s confirmation that she intends to seek a third term has been greeted positively by Barbadians across the island, with some on Tuesday expressing their support amid sharp criticism of the political opposition.

Speaking over the weekend, Mottley declared her intention to lead the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) into the next general election, reaffirming her commitment to national service and continuity in leadership of her party. The announcement came as no surprise to some, but it stirred renewed conversation about the island’s political direction and the readiness of opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).

Vicky Layne spoke to Barbados TODAY while running errands in The City, and said Mottley’s decision was anticipated and reflected the lack of a strong alternative within her own party ranks or across the aisle.

She said, “I think it was expected. I don’t think that any of her senior ministers or deputy prime minister have that pull that they can step into election, running for prime minister, and still get the same level of support that she has gotten. As to what it means for the DLP, they never had a chance in my opinion, regardless of who ran for prime minister under the BLP ticket.”

Another citizen, Irita Clarke, voiced passionate approval of Mottley’s continued leadership, citing her ability to handle crises and steer the country through difficult times.

“I feel very impressed with her running [for another] term because right now I don’t [think] nobody else at this point could handle what she is handling and what she went through after that terrible time when the Dems had it in hand,” she said. “It is what is best for the country right now. The Dems aren’t ready yet, so, just forget about the Dems, and I’m very passionate about it, very.”

One woman, who gave her name only as Stacie, echoed those sentiments, applauding Mottley’s crisis management through the pandemic, natural disasters, and economic challenges. However, she also expressed hope for leadership succession planning.

“I can’t say that I disagree with it, because currently I do not see anybody else being able to do it. If you think back to everything that Barbados has gone through, COVID and the freak storms, and the ash fall and everything, I honestly don’t think that a Democratic Labour Party would have been able to get us through the way that she did.

“I can only hope though that she would be training persons to come after her because she can’t do it forever, you know, so I would hope that she’s putting that in place,” she said.

Stacie did not hold back in her criticism of the DLP’s conduct during the recently concluded St James North by-election, calling out what she perceived as a lack of substance and professionalism during campaign rallies.

“I don’t like what I heard at the rally meetings,” she said. “I don’t like the name calling. I do not see why at a rally where we’re supposed to be discussing the real issues on the island, you are talking about somebody’s weight and what they ate to contribute to that weight. That’s not necessary, and people who are serious will not pay attention to you. This is not a play play thing. This is serious business, and I think that Ralph Thorne and his party need to get serious, focus on what is important, what needs to be dealt with in the country…but the name calling and all that foolishness that going on—serious people are not going to pay attention to you.”

Another woman, who declined to give her name, kept her remarks brief but supportive of the prime minister’s continued tenure.

She said, “I don’t have an issue with her running again. I think considering where we came from, that she’s doing a good job, so I am satisfied.” (SB)