PM Mottley: BLP has served Barbados well

Leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Mia Mottley officially launched her party’s general election campaign, declaring that her administration has “nothing to hide and everything to show” as she defended its economic and social record at a rally in Oistins on Tuesday night.

Speaking at the event where the party introduced all 30 of its candidates, Mottley said the occasion marked the formal start of the campaign and reflected the party’s organisation and discipline.

“I have come tonight to tell you that we have kept faith with you. We have not been perfect, I’ve told you that over and over, but we have been a good government and we have done good for the people of this nation,” the Prime Minister said.

“When you ask the people for the mandate you have a responsibility to report. For many years that was called promises and performance, the promises we make we perform.”

As evidence of that performance, the Prime Minister unveiled a booklet entitled ‘Red Record – A 2 Z Promises Kept’, which she said was deliberately designed to be small and portable. 

“We want you to walk with this, because when challenged you must be able to always have it. The evidence is here and the judgement is yours to make,” Mottley told the large crowd, while urging persons to read the document, reject misinformation and exercise their right to vote.

Speaking on the economy, Mottley highlighted tax and income measures aimed at low and middle earners, including the expansion of the reverse tax credit and the removal of income tax for those earning within specified bands. 

“Do you know how many people in this country now benefit from a reverse tax credit, getting $1 300 a year?” she asked, adding that people earning between just under $2 100 and $3 000 a month “do not pay taxes in Barbados anymore.” 

Mottley also pointed to financial relief for pensioners and other vulnerable groups as part of what she described as a deliberate policy shift.

The Prime Minister reported what she described as significant improvements in economic stability, citing record foreign reserves and a sharp reduction in the country’s debt burden. 

“Seven and a half years ago I could not sleep because of debt and because of foreign reserves. Tonight that no longer gives me any pause,” Mottley said. 

She told supporters that foreign reserves had increased from three weeks of cover to 32 weeks, while the debt-to-GDP ratio had fallen from 176 per cent to less than 98 per cent.

Mottley acknowledged there had been delays to integrity legislation, but said these were necessary to ensure fairness and effective enforcement. 

“We paused on the Integrity Bill for a good reason,” she said, explaining that consultations showed a one-size-fits-all approach would not work and could undermine the willingness of people to serve. 

She maintained that her government remained committed to accountability and anti-corruption measures, insisting that legislation must have “teeth” to be effective. 

Mottley also pointed to the party’s gains in social protection, including a higher minimum wage, increased non-contributory pensions and expanded support for persons with disabilities, reminding supporters that welfare benefits were raised by 40 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Speaking on infrastructure and economic investments, Mottley highlighted the 121-vehicle electric Transport Board bus fleet, the International Food Science Centre to support small agro-processors, the upgraded fish markets and reduced water rates for farmers.

On governance, she said her administration had taken difficult decisions to modernise institutions such as the National Insurance and Social Security Service, while spearheading criminal justice reforms, expanded judicial and prosecutorial capacity and legislation allowing for the expungement of certain minor criminal records. 

Anti-corruption, whistleblower and workplace anti-discrimination laws were also referenced. 

Placing these achievements against what she described as unprecedented national pressure from COVID-19, volcanic ashfall and severe weather, Mottley said her government remained focused on delivery. 

Addressing foreign policy and security, she warned that instability linked to US/Venezuela tensions required experienced leadership, stressing that governance meant managing real-time risks.

Mottley also condemned what she described as misogynistic language used by DLP candidate for St Philip West, Dr David Estwick last Sunday at a DLP rally, saying, “David Estwick owes an apology not just to the Barbados Labour Party but to all women in this country.”