Submitted by Yardbroom
A few bloggers have said, a woman cannot be Prime Minister of Barbados. I am not sure if they mean a woman in general terms, or the present leader of the Barbados Labour Party. Regardless of which they mean, I am unable to make that bold presumption. The woman I would like to be in that position is not there yet…but there is time for her. I will therefore concentrate on Mia Mottley who is nearest.
It is true you do need a mentally strong woman, with intelligence, the ability to understand people and political nouse…which is required of all political leaders men and women. I do not think you can accuse the opposition leader of being deficient in those qualities. Maybe there are loyal party supporters who will disagree with me on that score, but general elections are not won solely by the party faithful. They are won, by the votes of that broad band or ordinary people who are not members of a particular party, their only interest in politics is good governance.
Women have been leaders in society for a long time. Some have been successors to their positions, others inherited them and many were elected. They have a rich history from the time of the:
Egyptian Queens from around 3000 BCE and the first to be named by the sources without doubt is Ku-baba who ruled the Mesopotamian City-State of Ur around 2500 BCE.
Source: Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Others of more recent vintage are:
Tononu Vise of Abomey Benin (Africa) 1870-1889
Margaret Thatcher, UK
Dame Eugenia Charles, Dominica
Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norway
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan
Sirimavo Ratwattee Dias Bandaranaike, Sri Lanka
Indira Gandhi, India
Golda Meir, Israel
Jenny Shipley, New Zealand
Helen Clark, New Zealand
Angela Merkel, Germany
Portia Simpson, Jamaica
The above are not in chronological order and the list is not complete, I have omitted a few, brevity dictates. I therefore put it to you that it is quite “possible” for Mia Mottley to become Prime Minister of Barbados. However, before that situation arises there are obstacles to be overcome. (If I can be mischievous for a moment. Also in attendance was the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, you must admit it has a certain presence) She was a part of the last administration which was conclusively rejected by the electorate…in no uncertain manner.
Suppose I put forward the argument, there is a difference between being a leader in your own right and being a member of cabinet, with collective responsibility and all that entails. This line of argument is not to absolve Mia Mottley from blame. It is simply looking at the dynamics of politics and the need to form alliances and be part of the inner circle.
David Thompson is in the driving seat as good governance alone can see him through to another term in about five years. The recent election is too fresh and still will be at the time of the next election. Only a major disaster will change that situation. This disaster can be a failure of listening to the electorate.
I do not mean the advisors and pollsters or those with ready access to the media, who give us their views on all things – and do not brook dissent – or try to impress upon us their wisdom. As I have alluded to before, it is the ordinary people in Bridgetown and the country, those with no interest in politics or its machinations, but only want an orderly life, free of crime and the opportunity to work, and make a decent living for their families.
Politicians in office often make the mistake of not listening to the people, a failing brought on by the power of authority. In the same way as I have refrained from criticizing the DLP Government for their accused failings in the first half year of government. I have not criticized Mia Mottley for her part in the last Government. I can hear the sirens calls even now; how can you equate fourteen years with 6 months.
I cannot.
The BLP lost the election – they have paid the price – voter perception is not based on slide rule calculations, or accuracy. The other issues – and some say there are many – are for others to concern themselves with. I am only interested in leadership and the ability to infuse trust so people reward you with that position.
It is not the shoe-in yet for the DLP and David Thompson, in the next general election, but there is still quite a lot of work to be done by Mia Mottley if she wishes to become Prime Minister of Barbados. However, I would not quite write her off just yet. and I am sure David Thompson knows that.
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