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Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley (l) Owen Arthur MP (r)
Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley (l) Owen Arthur MP (r)

Not so long ago Barbados and the world witnessed a political wrestling match between Clyde Mascoll and the late Prime Minister David Thompson. History has recorded that Thompson was able to command majority support of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) parliamentary group. It proved too bitter a political pill for Mascoll to swallow and he retreated to the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which was led by his mentor former Prime Minister Owen Arthur.

The conflict which is currently raging between Owen Arthur and leader of the opposition Mia Mottley has captivated the country as political matters always do. It is evident that Arthur as accepted the role to be a thorn in the side of Mottley. The long and short of it is that Mottley will have to demonstrateย  political craft to wrestle control of the party.

Listen to Owen Arthurโ€™s interview presenting his side of the imbroglio.


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93 responses to “Owen Arthur Mia Mottley Conflict Continues…”

  1. PLANTATION DEEDS FROM 1926 TO 2014 , MASSIVE FRAUD ,LAND TAX BILLS AND NO DEEDS OF BARBADOS, BLPand DLP=Massive Fruad Avatar
    PLANTATION DEEDS FROM 1926 TO 2014 , MASSIVE FRAUD ,LAND TAX BILLS AND NO DEEDS OF BARBADOS, BLPand DLP=Massive Fruad

    TWO crooks who playing their Part on the stage of Fraud and more lies and tricks, What a game of fun they are having .


  2. Osa is very clear in his explanation, and makes a lot of sense. My question is why did MAM ignore his explicit request not to be part of “the eminent group”? He asked not to be part of it, before she went public. If she had honoured his request all of this would have been avoided. After she went public and he asked in a text message to her to be removed( 2nd time he made the request) she still went on with suggesting Osa as a member. Why?

  3. DLP (formerly CBC) TV Avatar
    DLP (formerly CBC) TV

    I will say that throughout this “controversy” the truth has become a casualty. Where a small difference in opinion has snowballed in the public opinion, into some sort of great rift between Mia and Owen. I blame the media for this because it has created and continuing to fuel this contraversy deliberately because it is “sexy” and it sells newpapers etc. The media is using this “fog of war” for its own benefit but for persons knowing and seeking the facts and not distracted by this perversion of truth it only make the media look ignorant and propagators of ignorance. What Owen says everybody knows but at the same time i think he is making a mountain out of Mia’s suggestion of this eminent person’s group. Mia was only really throwing ideas out to the public as possible solutions for this current crisis but Owen sounds like Mia wanted it to be an official solution for the DLP to abide by. I don’t think anybody really absorbed Mia’s suggestion because like Owen said, only gov’t could authorize such a group and it is unlikely any gov’t would surrender “power” to any group


  4. There is no point trying to sugar coat this. Owen has extreme difficulty hiding his dislike for Mia.
    He is human.

    imho an eminent persons group is nothing more than an elitist “pressure group” and Barbados has had pressure groups before.

    It is entertaining to listen to Owen’s clever politically cloaked daggers.


  5. RE
    Mia was only really throwing ideas out to the public as possible solutions for this current crisis but Owen sounds like Mia wanted it to be an official solution for the DLP to abide by. I donโ€™t think anybody really absorbed Miaโ€™s suggestion because like Owen said, only govโ€™t could authorize such a group and it is unlikely any govโ€™t would surrender โ€œpowerโ€ to any group

    IN OTHER WORDS IT IS A GIMMICK.
    OR AS JAY LENNO WOULD SAY EXACTLY! EXACTLY!


  6. The Political Parties in Barbados need to be placed under the Fair Trading Commission, but then again, a promise is a comfort to a fool.
    Those who did not venture out to vote at the last general election,are now patting themselves on the back, that they had made the right decision.
    I believe that at the next general election, each candidate should be allowed to dish out money to every qualified voter, a quarter (25 cent piece) would suffice, so that each voter will be able to spin the coin to see who gets his/her vote.
    What ever happened to the boat that the Dipper, was going to load up with some people and sink it half way in the ocean ? More than ever we need that boat, for the same purpose ,but to accommodate just 30 people.

  7. Back in Time Jack Avatar
    Back in Time Jack

    The shrewdest politician walking the political landscape of the Caribbean. If you wanted to prove the validity of a quote OSA is the walking embodiment of ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’.

    Mia is in real political danger and she better done pulling the tail of the bull, this is after all a man who has offered to give her away, even to the BLP opponent.


  8. Barbados is a so called capitalist democratic country.

    We have an elected government and an elected opposition.

    The Leader of the opposition Mia Mottley leads the eminent persons group in parliament.

  9. Back in Time Jack Avatar
    Back in Time Jack

    Hants

    Westminster style Parliament is adversarial. To Government must lead, not the opposition and certainly not an eminent person group. Assholery.


  10. this interview did nothing to reconciled or unit the BLP PARTY, This was another tasteless and a continuation of humiliating MIA publicly, He would have been better off saying nothing else,,,,,IT seems to be all about HIM and a continuance of BLAMING MIA ,,OSA is Truly a force to be reckon with….DISGUSTING>…


  11. the interview would have been better served if OSA had publicly accepted MIA apology which would have soften or dampen the backlash from all that has transpired while moving the issue in a positive direction…,,he missed a golden open opportunity but choose to insist and persist in defending his own self interest oblivious of the fact that necessary healing was of most important to the BLP.. the airwaves which he used to defend himself was a showmanship of his lack of tactic and a tasteless defense …….one which has now forced the party and its followers to take sides as to who was right and who is wrong in this saga,,,,,,,

  12. Fair and Balanced Avatar
    Fair and Balanced

    BU. Why did she ignore OSA ?
    It is clear that MAM has a major character flaw.
    She does not know how to take no for an answer.
    The electorate said no one year ago, she still has not accepted.
    OSA told her no not me. But who was he to tell her no. She gone against his wishes.
    In another situation she would have to take her own advice and learn to tek a horn, and when her women say no she simply bites of piece.
    She needs to chill. May be a trip up by her buddy Hilary might help. Chill Or is he OSAโ€™s buddy? He certainly is not CSโ€™s buddy after being overheard describing the Minister of Finance as a Pissy Boy.

    How disrespectful in truth, but then again he found work some years ago. If you think long and hard we see some interesting networks or spider webs

  13. DLP (formerly CBC) TV Avatar
    DLP (formerly CBC) TV

    The only thing i will add is that i understand Owen, “angst” because the perception in the public is that he want “power and control” etc etc. and this “eminent persons group” may sound like he wants to get power and control in some “roundabout way”, that is why he is so vigorous to disassociate himself from it. If i was in Owen’s place i would feel that Mia wanted to sabotage me with this eminent person group. The problem is that in being so vigorous to disassociate himself, it is only adding fuel to the fire that there is a serious divide”. As i said the media’s “spin” is only confusing the issue to the public.
    I am not naive and i like to think that i am a realist, there will be a “divide” as Owen was PM for 14 yrs while Mia is the new Leader and both will naturally have their “factions”. What is happening is nothing new and is not unique to the BLP. It has happened in both parties but the result have been vastly different. The last time it happened in the DLP between Clyde and David between 2003-2006, Clyde as former opposition Leader felt he had to cross the floor. Up to now i still can’t understand why the DLP let it get that bad

  14. Equal Rights & Justice Avatar
    Equal Rights & Justice

    il lil lost hey ,somebody help ma ,when i listen to this thing de sunday on de radio, this eminent person group was ah suggestion that was proposed and the names mentioned were just suggestions ,or was this something written down in stone ,i don’t trust OSA on this one something missing


  15. The simple question which remains unanswered is why did MAM include Arthur on the list of eminent persons when he expressly stated otherwise.

    MAM has since apologized and there we have it.

    The other issue is that this letter wrtten my Arthur to Symmonds was leaked. this leads to another ser of questions.

  16. Back in Time Jack Avatar
    Back in Time Jack

    Look OSA is rolling the wicket for future events to unfold. He is planning an “I told you so” moment when something comes on MAM.

    This way he increases they perception of his wisdom and knowledge, not only about economics and public affairs but all the characters of those who inhabit theological sphere of Barbados.

  17. Back in Time Jack Avatar
    Back in Time Jack

    David

    She included him for two reasons:-

    She needed to recommend eminent persons to the panel she proposed to create.
    She need he’d say no and retaliate against her forcing the public see that he is still interesting in leading the BLP and the country.

    It’s called teasing out your enemy.


  18. There are quite enough eminent persons groups already. They’re called the elites.


  19. The Barbados Labour Party like the Anglican Church is seemingly on its way to self-destruction fuelled by the constant unfavourable criticism by Mr Arthur of Ms Mottley. Apparently the advice readily offered to the Democratic Labour Party by Mr Arthur in the midst of their internal turmoil has not been heeded by Mr Arthur the end result of which should fate bring the country out of this disaster of mismanagement should consign the Barbados Labour Party to the political dustbin for all time until a new system of governance evolves. I would implore all floating voters to trust ‘fate’ and give this don’t-know-what-they-are-doing administration their support the next time around if their is a next time around.


  20. There is no reason this squabble between Mia and Owen should destroy the BLP.

    The two of them can be replaced.

    Barbados needs a strong well organised opposition and the BLP needs to do what their elected members are supposed to do.

    Mia is still the Leader of the opposition and needs to do her job in parliament and show that she is a true leader despite what Owen says.


  21. “ac | January 14, 2014 at 10:39 PM |

    the interview would have been better served if OSA had publicly accepted MIA apology which would have soften or dampen the backlash from all that has transpired while moving the issue in a positive directionโ€ฆ,,he missed a golden open opportunity but choose to insist and persist in defending his own self interest oblivious of the fact that necessary healing was of most important to the BLP.. the airwaves which he used to defend himself was a showmanship of his lack of tactic and a tasteless defense โ€ฆโ€ฆ.one which has now forced the party and its followers to take sides as to who was right and who is wrong in this saga,,”,,,,
    Never thought I would see the day when I would be forced to reproduce verbatim something submitted by AC and I wish she would bring this same level of objective analysis to matters relating to the DLP as well but right is right and I agree wholeheartedly with her comments. Well put , AC.


  22. “The simple question which remains unanswered is why did MAM include Arthur on the list of eminent persons when he expressly stated otherwise.”

    What if MAM didn’t include him on the list of eminent persons? You would be hearing another story from him and the other BLP yardfowls who believe in him. Mia wanted to include him and extended an invitation. This lotta talk bout she shouldn’t because he didn’t is bare shoite. OSA is behaving like a spoilt brat and we need adult men and women to help Barbados at this stage. OWEN should go home if he does not want to follow and allow Mia to lead the opposition. He said that he MADE Mia what she is today. If that were true, and he doesn’t like what he has made then too bad. He is of the mindset that he can make and break a person. That kind of politics has been played for too long and must cease! Blasted old jealous man!


  23. A key plank in Arthur’s latest savage attack on Mottley is being overlooked because of the focus on the Eminent Persons set up. Arthur lest we forget questions the legality of Mia’s election as LOTO. That is a more damning condemnation of Mottley than cursing her for putting forward his name on a committee . Mottley in her apology (shouldn’t it be OSA apologizing?) glossed over the three points Arthur attacked her on. Mottley and Arthur’s differences are obviously irreconcilable and there can be no nonsense talk from her about not being distracted. This is not a distraction this is a fight to the finish for the soul and life of the Barbados Labour Party.

  24. are-we-there-yet? Avatar
    are-we-there-yet?

    Anyone considered that this affair might, on OSA’s part, be wholly an involuntary manifestation of his wrestling with his demons and of a temporary skirmish where the demons might have an upper hand?


  25. Owen says he is retiring from politics and should leave gracefully.


  26. The current standings in the BLP conflict: Five MPs for OSA, one MP for MIA,five undecided and one MP about to go with FS.


  27. @islandgal

    Your argument is a non sequitur. The point is that she asked him and he refused, period. Therefore she should have included others with a statement that OSA declined to participate. The public would then have been left to form its own conclusions.


  28. A strong Opposition is important and the BLP needs to get itself sorted in the same way BU advised the DLP when Thompson and Mascoll were warring. It is an unnecessary distraction at this time but a characteristic of our system of governence.


  29. I take OSA at his word that he has no ambition to be the leader of the BLP now or in the future. Mia would have to be โ€œtone deafโ€ in political awareness to include him in any group when he expressly said he wouldnโ€™t participate. He was at his irascible best when he said that Mia shouldnโ€™t volunteer him for any position but if it meant so much to her she should volunteer herself.

    Even if this โ€œEminent Personsโ€ thingy was sanctioned by the DLP does anyone see OSA helping the DLP out of the quagmire that Barbados finds itself in? OSA is a canny politician and has read the political and Economic tea leaves but he wouldnโ€™t piss on a DLP Govโ€™t to put out any fire. He reasons that any BLP participation could imperil the BLP and cement the DLPโ€™s hold on office.

    Mia despite her many years in politics seems to lack political savvy or she never met a microphone that she didnโ€™t like. Mia has been busy promoting the โ€œEminent Personsโ€ as a panacea for Barbados ills and had to come up with possible choices as to the makeup of such a group, her cardinal mistake was to disengage her brain before her mouth sprung into action.


  30. I am have full confidence in my Prime Minister who is doing the best job that he can to help steer the ship of state in the right direction. My Prime Minister speaks when he has something to say and not because he has to say something. My Prime Minister does not micro-manage so that he allows his Ministers to function and perform the roles that they are supposed to perform and for which they are being paid .

    I am satisfied that my Prime Minister, his Ministers and Parliamentary group are fully committed to making Barbados a better place to live notwithstanding the world economic situation. I share in the vision and mission of the Prime Minister , his Ministers and Parliamentary group. I am satisfied that Barbados can benefit from wise and prudent management and that the Prime Minister will become a great Prime Minister, one who kept the ship of state afloat during turbulent storms and unpredictable economic weather. Respect due to my Prime Minister.

    I am satisfied that my Minister of Finance is doing the best job that he can at this time and that he is doing everything possible to restructure the economy and to keep Barbados on a sound footing where the only place for Barbados to go is Up and On. He says that he is doing the things that need to be done to right size the economy , I believe him and give him my full support in this regard. Respect to my Minister of Finance

    All of the Ministers are doing the best they can as Barbadians for the good of Barbados and I give them my full support and I place full confidence in their abilities to succeed.

    I pledge my undivided support to the Government of Barbados.

    I give my full support to the elected and selected officials of Barbados who are the ones chosen to run the affairs of the country. They are Barbadians who are educated and competent, have the best wishes for Barbados, would like to see Barbados succeed and all of us as one big happy family enjoying the best that we can from our efforts.


  31. the eminent person dispute is all smoke an mirrors. The personality/life-style issue division has some but minor relevance. (OSA once complained overt a pint an a half that MAM was ‘getting more p…y than he was). BUT (the BU word) BUT the dominant divisive concern as in all politics is the politics: the opposing political ideological positions/ visions for the way forward. Why do we get transfixed on periffial gossip rather than on the core questions of policy polarization within the BLP. Policy conflicts that have been festering within the Bs from Tom’s time.
    Like so many social democrat (ex democratic socialist/Fabian ) parties the BLP inherited a tradition of high welfare spend , workers before business and let the rich pay higher taxes to pay for public services (health education pensions).
    But there has been a shift from that traditional left of centre line towards a more pragmatic centrist party position with foreign investment and rewards for business growth (OSA declared it a right of centre economic strategy and a left of centre social policy).
    But MAM is of a different politics. She wants to cut restraints and taxes on business and let the market economy dominate ‘free-up the business sector’ ie modern right wing (David Cameron. USA/IMF) ‘capitalism with a conscious’ . It is this that angers the social democrat heart and head of OSA.
    What will happen?
    MAM will do a Richie Haynes and take a bunch of Bs plus some Ds into a new party (‘Barbados First) getting big business/USA/IMF to back her.
    Make no mistake there is support out there for the proposal that Barbados needs a pro-business, low tax , liberal political party strong on social justice BUT attractive to foreign investment. Even Raul Castro in his new year speech urged a change in direction.
    OSA is more traditional social democrat (Fabian) and cautious BUT he is a f..ing awesome politician.
    As for the Ds, well history will not absolve them for their gross incompetence, bringing shame and increased sufferation on our once proud nation.


  32. JUST ASKING | January 15, 2014 at 10:14 AM |

    “I am have full confidence in my Prime Minister who is doing the best job that he can to help steer the ship of state in the right direction.”

    What have you been drinking this morning? Mountain dew?


  33. Sargeant.what u said may well be true.However there was and still is/ no excuse in the way OSA handled the issue by furthering cause distraction ! splinters! and division among his fellow members and followers.. The barrage of insults now being thrown at MIA from both D and B can be squarely placed on OSA shoulders for his mishandling of the issue. now to (box MIA in) on account that he did not want to be a part of a group is asinine.. Mia only error was showing loyalty and respect to OSA by including HIM


  34. Reading the responses by the BLP yardowls says there is liltle hope for the BLP to mend as long as OSA continues to lurk in the shadows of the BLP party.his resistance to retirement and his continual meanderings should be cause of concern and can be the final downfall of the party as his idealogies and philosophies are well endorsed and roted among his following leaving little or no room for error by those who think differently….


  35. We seem to think that most people are still trying to analyze these events in themselves and not as mere symptoms of a deeper malady of the political-economy system. Largely alone BLP/DLP lines. Even if the eventual outcome maintains the DLP in office or brings in the BLP, nothing will change. We should be using these symptoms to address the deep and underlying disease if the patient is to survive. No victory for the Bees or Dees will help Barbados any. There is nothing in the pin sized brains of OSA or Mascoll or Sinckler or Stuart that can help us. In fact, everything these people will do must fail because they are will only continue to give a dead patient medicine.

  36. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ islandgal246 | January 15, 2014 at 10:38 AM |
    “What have you been drinking this morning? Mountain dew?”

    That does not sound like the real JA. Either some DLP ‘yardie’ has hijacked his moniker or he has relocated to the East near a certain graveyard and is suffering from an acute case of “Johnnyitis”.


  37. It is I -THE REAL JUST ASKING–Maybe I had an epiphany

    Maybe I have been abducted and forced to sign a statement –LOL

    IT IS ME THOUGH !

    WHO COULD IT BE ??

    JUST ASKING

  38. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Sargeant | January 15, 2014 at 10:01 AM |
    โ€œEven if this โ€œEminent Personsโ€ thingy was sanctioned by the DLP does anyone see OSA helping the DLP out of the quagmire that Barbados finds itself in?โ€

    This “Eminent Persons” proposal is just a lot of distracting hot-air crap.
    Who would make up the list of so-called eminent persons? Past or current partisan politicians ?
    Would it include people like Dr. Frances Chandler, Harold Hoyte, Harry Russell, Ralph Jemmott, Tony Marshall, Peter Boos and the usual bullshit talking suspects?
    What can such a group advise the ruling administration that it has not already heard or read in some form or fashion? Why not look outside the usual inbreeding pond and consider fearless people like Caswell Franklyn and even undercover BU Bushie and Pachamama?

    Would the members of this gang of motor mouths be prepared to give of their time and โ€œintellectualโ€™ energies free and not be another burden on the already fiscally exhausted taxpayers?
    Would the same thing apply to the barrage of opportunistic consultants to the โ€œeminent personsโ€ think tank? Would the heavily inflated costly services of professional consultants like Persaud and Springer and the other be engaged to advise the think tank?

    What about the young people? Arenโ€™t their futures at stake here whereas lackey members of the imminent group are just waiting for their god even if their pensions and reliable medical care might be at serious risks?

    Even if the bullshit talk-shop members make recommendations to the ruling administration does it have the competence and political will do implement them?

    Let us suppose the โ€œEminent Personsโ€ group of bullshit artists out of a bout of epiphanic intellectual enlightenment of the countryโ€™s economic realities recommend an extensive programme of privatization and outsourcing would this ruling administration change its irrevocable commitment to an anti-privatization policy and an ironclad contract with the electorate of Barbados?

    The only โ€œEminent Personsโ€ group Barbados is going to get is the one already โ€˜instructingโ€™ the Government what to do. A group that was convened since December13th, a โ€˜blackโ€™ letter day for Bim. The advice of the IMF is already being followed no need for any more shit talking. And the PM knows what he is talking about when he says itโ€™s a waste of time and distracting political pussyfooting and grandstanding by MAM.


  39. @ac
    Reading the responses by the BLP yardowls says there is liltle hope for the BLP to mend as long as OSA continues to lurk in the shadows of the BLP party.his resistance to retirement and his continual meanderings should be cause of concern and can be the final downfall of the party as his idealogies and philosophies are well endorsed and roted among his following leaving little or no room for error by those who think differentlyโ€ฆ……………………………………………

    Do you read back the nonsense you spew on BU every day?

    Do you not remember the days of open warfare in the DLP when the dead king, (now our) Dr Mascoll and the worst man that could ever rise to be PM (but then dead wood always drift to the top) ……………..

    Do you not remember that no one ever thought that the DLP could have settled down and eventually go on to win an election?

    Do you not remember the 19 point indictment that your leader and the now PM of Barbados wrote on David Thompson, the dead king?

    Do you not remember that it was DLP members who voted with the BLP and brought down Sandi?

    Well, yardfowl ac, yes you are one too, not only BLPies, I hope your memory is refreshed now on the history of the DLP. Let me tell you that if the DLP can heal, the BLP WILL heal. In our case it is only one man, in the DLP case, it was nearly the whole party at war.

    You Dems should really shut your mouths when talking about trouble in the BLP. You all live in a glass house. You all really feel that we dont hear of how Donville cusses the PM and has no respect for him? You really feel that we dont know how David Estwick behaved when he was not given the MOF and threaten to mess all you up and how many elders had to go to his house and beg him to behave? Get real!

    Let me tell you, this squabble in the BLP will not help the DLP solve the enormous problems in our economy. When the BLP heals, the DLP would still be screwing up this economy and have us up shit street.

    You have the right to gloat, but watch your own backyard.


  40. @ miller
    We believe that the Bushie Plan is a good start to helping the country. And it has our total support. In addition we believe that we are in a position to inject a massive, non credit expansionary, stimulus to the wider economy immediately as we seek to overhaul the system at its foundations at coterminously.

  41. Triangle Bangle Avatar

    Miller

    I have to agree with you re Dr. Frances Chandler, Harold Hoyte, Harry Russell, Ralph Jemmott, Tony Marshall, Peter Boos etc.

    These are pimps and bloodsuckers who confuse people with their special brand of elitist bullshit. Now tell me, what the fcuk has Francis Chandler ever achieved in her life except being white (not that that is an achievement) and making to the floor of the Senate which she used to spout bullshit across the airwaves of Barbados thereby proving her own ignorance?

  42. Triangle Bangle Avatar

    Barbados aint want no eminent persons group, we need a competent person group…………………………..mainly in Bay Street and in the Central Bank.

  43. Triangle Bangle Avatar

    I hear that one Smart Pants Persaud telling his parents down at Limegrove how wealthy he has become from Four Seasons.

    Eminent my ass, when you shake his hand you better count your rings.


  44. The BLP is in trouble and has been for quite sometime.


  45. So much foolishness from Owen and Mia. I don’t know how they
    ever ran anything far less an island. Sometimes we add so much importance to what they do and say that it is just unbelievable. Whenever I think of Owen I think of that drunken idiot in my area who every fool think is smart.


  46. BLP must clean its backyard before it start talking negatively about the DLP.


  47. I love the honesty as well as the commitment the DLP has shown to the poor people of Barbados. Keep up the good work! Go DLP….


  48. And as far as Owen Arthur is concern, I haven’t anything negative to say about this man. But he obviously needs to get his act together because his future contribution to our small island is still needed.


  49. That’s if he has drunk out what’s left of his brain cells?

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