Service of Inspiration at St. Mary's

"Those who work for a great cause never fail" Grace Adams

The Family members of the Founders, Members of the Party, Supporters and Well Wishers turned out in their numbers to the Barbados Labour Party Founders' Day Service. In his sermon Rev. Father Von Watson of the St. Mary's Church spoke about the role of the Party in opposition and said it was like that of the watchman.

"... if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword upon the land, he blow the trumpet and warn the people; Then whosoever hereth the sound of the trumpet and taketh not warning; if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head ..."

The church was packed and the mood of the congregation reflected a feeling of pride in what the Barbados Labour Party had been able to achieve over the past 70 years as well as a great feeling of thankfulness. Two addresses were delivered one by the Chairman of the Party Dame Billie Miller and the other by the Leader of the Party the Hon. Mia Mottley. Also in attendance were the Rt. Hon Owen Arthur, Sir Louis Tull and Sir Richard Cheltenham.

Sir Grantley Focused on Workers' Rights

Rt. Excellent Sir Herbert Grantley Adams, National Hero became the leader of the Barbados Labour Party and he inspired and led it for more than three decades. The people called him “Moses” and he has been rightly described as “Emancipator of the Oppressed”, “a Visionary” and the “Father of Democracy”. Sir Grantley along with his early colleagues fought for better social and economic conditions for the working class and enacted many important major pieces of legislation including adult suffrage.

He served in Parliament from 1934-1958 and 1966-1970 when he retired. He became the first Premier of Barbados in 1954 and in 1958 the Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation. He was also the first President of the Barbados Workers Union which was formed by the BLP in 1941 and at one time President of the Caribbean Labour Congress.

Under Sir Grantley’s leadership the Barbados economy was diversified and free education introduced with the building of new secondary schools. He was knighted in 1957. In Parliament he was a great debater and a brilliant speaker, a person of intellect, wit and good manners.

Anniversary Celebrations Launched

The Barbados Labour Party launched its 70th Anniversary Celebrations today its Party Headquaters in Bay Street. Ms. Mia Mottley the Leader of the Party noted in her remarks that the BLP is the oldest political party in the English speaking Caribbean with the PNM of Jamaica being a few months younger. The BLP came into existence on March 31, 2008. The PNM came into existence a few months later in August of the same year and therefore will also be celebrating 70 years. Ms. Mottley said that BLP has been seen as a beacon in the region and has done much to improve the social and economic conditions of Barbados. Ms. Mottley spoke in particular of the importance of the Tenantry Freehold Purchase Act which has revolutionised land ownership in Barbados by allowing thousands of Barbadians to purchase land that had been occupied by their ancestors for generations.

The Chairman of the 70th Anniversary Celebrations, Lynette Eastmond indicated that the activities would reflect a cross section of community based activities. The Founder's Day Service on March 30, 2008 would be the first event. Throughout the course of the year there would be a number of activities including sports and cultural activities as well as educational activities including debates and lectures. Ms. Eastmond said that it was very important for Barbadians to become re-acquainted with the importance of political parties to the democratic process in Barbados. It was therefore important that political parties were strong and attractive to new generations of Barbadian leaders.

In our photograph Ms. Mia Mottley, Ms. Lynette Eastmond, the Chairman of the Tom Adams Memorial Committee Ms. Cynthia Forde and the CEO of the Party Mr. David Harper are on hand to witness the launch and to field questions from the press.