Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is responding to criticisms from political elements, who have taken to social media stating that Barbados National Day is an attempt to annihilate the memory of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, Father of Independence.
Ms. Mottley said this is totally not the case.
See her full statement below:
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is responding to criticisms from political elements, who have taken to social media stating that Barbados National Day is an attempt to annihilate the memory of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, Father of Independence.
Ms. Mottley said this is totally not the case.
See her full statement below:
I have seen and heard the comments this afternoon on social media.
Irrespective of how the Government has felt about this last year and the decision we made, there is the reality that there has been confusion as to how the election of the first Barbadian Head of State would be celebrated without undermining the significance of November 30, 1966.
It is not 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 30 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 of 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.
We expect that some will continue to refer to both events as the day, but for the avoidance of doubt we settle on an overall rubric that encompasses both events.
And that is why we have settled on BARBADOS NATIONAL DAY – to celebrate two significant events in the life and journey of the sovereign State.
Let us focus on what we must do as a nation to be the best that we can be. It involves building on the past but focusing on the future.
About The Author
The name should have been Independence/Republic day.
The name should have been Independence/Republic day.
The people should have been consulted.
I think many Barbadians feel the same way and they should not be refered to as political elements.
This government has done well so far.
How ever governments tend to get dictatorial as they move into two terms. I hope that this government is not heading in that direction.