By: Staff Writer
January 18, 2022
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, said ahead of the January 19 General Election that “COVID come and lick us up” as a reason why she couldn’t complete her mandate.
Ms Mottley, on a rally stump, promising a “new deal” with the people of the inner city of Bridgetown along with touting her accomplishments for the inner city, including fixing the flooding issues and providing for enhanced community facilities, added that while not everything has been completed, she endeavours to finish these pilot projects for the inner-city.
She added, however, “And that’s why I tell you that COVID come and lick us up, 24 months in COVID, 19 months without COVID. That is what this government has had to deal with.
She also said that she is going to go house by house and it doesn’t matter what political affiliation citizens may be, she will help them.
“My friends, this is a serious election. And it is only if you come out and vote. Don’t tell me that Corey [Lane] safe. Don’t tell me that Mia safe. Don’t tell me that you want me to be Prime Minister and don’t vote for Corey, because it can’t work that way.
“I ask you to come out early on Wednesday morning, and give the city of Bridgetown the continued strong representation….”
Ms Mottley is on her charm offensive leading up to Wednesday’s General Election. Some have suggested that due to the COVID-19, it may be a primary item on the mind of voters.
The COVID-19 pandemic has felled many governments already, as it did in the Turks and Caicos Islands and also in The Bahamas, with both incumbent government’s being swept out of power in a landslide loss.
Ms Mottley is popular and may have done enough to secure the trust of the Barbadian people, however time will tell on January 19. A huge achievement by her administration was bringing the country to republic status, and removing Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State.
Ms Mottley also said: “The first piece of legislation passed after we became a parliamentary republic is the legislation for a new deal with vendors and that stops you from being locked up in this country or carried to court without the license.
“We will continue. But we can only do it with your help and with your vote. So my friends get in safe tonight, continue to do the work for the next three, four days.
The ones who are disgruntled and said that they ain’t see somebody yet, understand it’s not only about who you see but it is about what we can do for you and we will continue to do for you. But what you do not want is a party that does not know who its leader will be Thursday morning. You will know that I am the leader of the Barbados Labour Party and there is no doubt about that.”
