BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- IN a shocking announcement on Monday (Dec. 27) evening, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley set January 19 as the date for the island’s General Elections, which it is not sitting well with the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
That comes as she gave the island’s President a directive to dissolve the Parliament with immediate effect, as Nomination Day is set for January 3.
The Prime Minister intimated that she is not pleased with the direction of the people and the world after having discussions with a wide cross section of society.
“In recent months, I have taken a hard look and truthfully I have not liked what I have seen. Much of what I hear and the trajectory of where we are as a people and as a society, where we are headed is not necessarily pleasing,” she noted.
The DLP described the announcement as a “dark day for our country” and “the silly season”, as many were caught off guard by the announcement0 which comes more than a year before elections are constitutionally due.
“In the midst of a pandemic and Omicron threatening, whilst still under a state of emergency, there is no compelling argument for an election to be called 17 months out, except to be self-serving. This is not what we expect of sound leadership,” the DLP said in a statement.
The DLP was soundly beaten at the last polls, with the Mia Mottley-led BLP winning all 30 seats on offer. And now, the DLP leadership believes that she is panicking, lashing out at the Government for exposing residents to possible COVID-19.
“It is clear that the Government of the day has succumbed to feelings of panic and that the nation’s first call which is its people’s safety has been set aside to pursue selfish ends which expose our people to great harm and possible death.” Verla De Peiza, President, Democratic Labour Party, signed off on a press statement.
The last General Elections were held on May 28, 2018 in which the Barbados Labour Party won in a landslide. Since then, several members of the winning group crossed the floor to provide an opposing view to the Government.
