The “Palace Coup” has been aborted and Mia Mottley remains Leader of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
But after almost five hours of deliberations by five of the BLP’s nine-member parliamentary group at their Roebuck Street, St Michael headquarters yesterday, there was still some uncertainty whether Mottley’s leadership had the support of the majority of her colleagues.
However, secretary of the parliamentary group, Gline Clarke, who had convened the meeting, told a media briefing that Mottley was still Leader of the Opposition “at this present time”. Also present were BLP chairman George Payne, Ronald Toppin, William Duguid and Dale Marshall.
“She is still the Leader of the Opposition and we will give her that support until further notice,” Clarke said, adding there were still a number of leadership issues to be discussed.
The St George North MP said he had called the meeting to hear certain grievances, but due to the absence of Mottley, former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, general secretary Cynthia Forde and Rawle Eastmond, it was thought best to postpone the meeting until a later date.
Clarke said they had a “full and frank discussion on the leadership of the party” and it was decided that the dialogue which had commenced would be allowed to continue to “bring about a speedy resolution to this matter on a soon date”. (Nation News)
:BLP
Caption: Opposition Leader Mia Mottley emerging with supporters from her office at Parliament yesterday. (Picture by Sandy Pitt)
