ANOTHER member of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government has taken issue with Opposition Leader Mia Mottley’s criticisms of Barbados’ effort at hosting the recently concluded CARIFESTA 13.
Outspoken Member of Parliament for St. Michael West Central, James Paul told The Barbados Advocate on Monday evening, that it was “unpatriotic” for the Opposition Leader to make the statement she made at the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) St. Michael South Branch meeting, over the weekend.
Mottley was frank in noting that she was not impressed with how the festival was executed, noting that it was poorly organised and there was a low turnout that left her feeling ashamed to be a Barbadian.
However, Paul said he believes the Opposition Leader was trying to score political points. He pointed out that it is “unfortunate that political leaders cannot recognise the time and place” for making certain matters.
“I must say that I am disappointed with the Opposition Leader and it has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with the fact that as Barbadians, we want to uphold the best of our nation.
“There are some things, as Barbadians, that we should not go into contest about. These are times when we should stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as Barbadians, and try to uphold what is best for us,” Paul said.
“I think really that what we recognise is that we should be trying to stimulate Barbadians to get involved in the cultural arts. I think the fact that we still took it on immediately after Crop Over, despite the fact that Barbadians would have been tired, must be recognised,” he added.
During a press conference on Monday, at the Ministry of Culture, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael, office, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley said he believes CARIFESTA needed to be defended because Mottley was totally off base.
Lashley described the Opposition Leader’s comments as a “national disgrace” because they really do not have any place within what the context of CARIFESTA did.
Meanwhile, Paul contended that while it must be admitted that the festival’s organisers endured very difficult circumstances, “at the end of the day we came out looking good”.
“I mean, I hear everybody speaking about the closing ceremony. I think that at least when it mattered, as Barbadians, we stood shoulder to shoulder. Now is not the time for that kind of behaviour by the Opposition Leader,” Paul said. (AH)