Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur did not take too kindly to being branded as a traitor to his working class roots by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart.
However, rather than going on a tirade, an amused Arthur suggested that the Prime Minister had bigger problems to worry about, such as a collapsing economy and rising crime.
In an address at the opening gala of the ruling Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) 62nd annual conference at the George Street St Michael auditorium last Friday night, Stuart suggested that Arthur had betrayed his working class roots when he handed the reins of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to Mia Mottley.
In fact, Stuart charged that he had said as much to Arthur – who has often referenced his humble beginnings as the son of shopkeepers – in a private conversation.
However, in his usual biting style, and barely able to contain his laughter, the former Prime Minister, who said he had no recollection of such a conversation, told Barbados TODAY there was no way Stuart would have broached such a subject with him and emerge to recount those details with such nostalgia.
“If I had a one on one conversation with the Prime Minister he would not want to go out and talk about it in those terms. I do not recall the conversation but if someone in a conversation had referred to me as a traitor to my class, I would have spoken to him in such harsh and muscular terms that he would have fled from the scene, whether he was a Prime Minister or not. So I don’t see how Freundel Stuart could now make people feel that he could call me a traitor to my class without me dealing with him in the appropriate manner,” Arthur said.
However, the former Prime Minister resisted the temptation to comment on Stuart’s background and “what I think of his relationship to the class from which he came”, saying the Prime Minister was saved by the fact that the article would be widely read, including by children.
“It is only because children read the news that I won’t tell him what I think of his relationship to the class from which he came. I don’t think he could be held up as any model for any young people from humble origins. I only wish he could bring the same kind of aggression and signs of life to the other matters that confront the country,” Arthur stressed, noting that if Stuart wanted to attack Mottley, there was no need to involve him.
“This is unprovoked nonsense by a man who obviously is distracted by the overwhelming nature of the problems that he is faced with,” said Arthur, who led the country through a period of economic stability from 1994 to 2008.
“If Freundel Stuart wants to attack Mia Mottley that is his prerogative, and I expect him to do so, but leave me out of it.”
Twice since last November, Arthur was forced to state he was in good health after rumours circulated on social media and online, that he had died.
In ridiculing Stuart’s comment, the former BLP leader said it appeared that the Prime Minister had believed the rumours and therefore thought he would be unable to respond.
“It seems that he probably heard that I had died and therefore I would be in no position to defend myself. So rather than focus on the very serious, imposing and massive issues facing the country, including a collapsing economy, including crime and violence stalking the land on a scale that we have never seen before, including shootings in quiet and strange places, rather than dealing with the very dangerous drift in the affairs of the country, he obviously thought it was best to pick on a man who he heard has died,” Arthur said.
In his address to the DLP faithful, Stuart all but described Arthur as a traitor for not seeing fit to elevate someone from his own class to the BLP leadership, handing it back instead to the “elitist influences that have always controlled it”, seemingly suggesting that Mottley had nothing in common with the working class.
“You got the opportunity to lead the BLP in 1993 and ran it for 15 years,” Stuart said in an address geared at rallying his base.
“And this is what I have against you, because after 15 years of leading the Barbados Labour Party, given your origin and the support that went into your foundation, when you were ready to give the Barbados Labour Party you had not brought along anybody from your class to whom you could hand it, you had to hand it back to the conservatives.
“I said to him, as far as I am concerned, that is a blotch on your record,” Stuart said, adding that he would now take on the mantle to shield Barbados from “an arch-conservative in the Barbados Labour Party”.
The pic of him in article has him orange with blond hair like trump lolol
Groom and truth don’t speak
Look what Freundel gone and do. He tried to belittle King Arthur but he got backfired in time.
Before he tell the people of Barbados what he and his DLP government plans to do to help we out of this deep hole he studying Miss Mia Amor Mottley look she aint looking for no man and if she was not u stuart so leave my Mia alone.
tell de people what? Sandra…at this time
Wait Jerome Davis you ent see this
……now he tried to put a “tale” and also pulled the “tail” of the 15 year economy champion Tiger, thinking he was dead……..long live King Arthur ….lol
best comment right here
Steve, when I read what King Arthur, ex PM said, I never laugh like that since he gave up the reigns to Mia. Stuart is so clueless about what`s going on with Barbados that he should do the right thing and step down. I almost tumble out of the chair when Arthur said that Stuart must have believed that he had died for real, that`s a good way to kick off the coming election Stupid Stuart.
Dear Mr Arthur,
Why on earth would you even waste your time listening to what Mr Stuart had to say? Nobody else does, except a handful of sad and blinkered hangers-on, and a bunch of people who probably only turned up for the free food afterwards.
Let’s face it, even his Cabinet doesn’t pay no mind to his occasional, incomprehensible and pointless ramblings. They are too busy trying to work out how to get rid of him so he doesn’t cause the party to lose every single seat at the next election.
He has been returned as President.
Don’t fall for this distraction people,This Emperor has no Clothes
“It seems that he probably heard that I had died and therefore I would be in no position to defend myself. So rather than focus on the very serious, imposing and massive issues facing the country, including a collapsing economy, including crime and violence stalking the land on a scale that we have never seen before, including shootings in quiet and strange places, rather than dealing with the very dangerous drift in the affairs of the country, he obviously thought it was best to pick on a man who he heard has died,” Arthur said. (Freundel plan backfire on him) lol
Who needs to be hearing this nonsense while our beloved country is in such a precarious condition. Barbados is in dire need of inspirational leadership, not people fiddling while it is burning.
So Mr Arthur you are saying that Fruendel Stuart made up the story about talking to you. In other words, you are saying that the manipulator blatantly lied? Just like how he lied about Cahill? Well Well Well. The man is shameless.
Mr Arthur Sir don’t worry with him he’s still in a comatose state,every time he wake up he shooting blanks across the other side but he in hitting anything.
Call elections –
you and your cabinet have damaged barbados enough on too many fronts.
This PM is for real. Don’t we have serious issues to discuss.
I am surprised that Arthur even thought this was worth a reply. It was such a lie and obviously a grasping of straws I would not have even replied to it.
I think ferndel is senile.. Or close there
Why you all dont leave out Mia
Are the gloves off then? Lol
Owen, We all know better, don’t entertain Freundel by responding. He’s the traitor he and his Layabout colleagues made promises to the people and broke every single one by doing SOD ALL and left BIM in a complete state. Tell Freundel to go and jump off he shuttle into a Pothole of sewage and float way. Pray tell thee, what is he waiting for? There’s nothing left in the cookie jar.
Why he don’t worry bout the party he is suppose to be the head of instead of Miss Mottley or ask her how to be a leader.Maybe if he dealt with Barbados problems with the attitude he does when speaking bout her & other things that don’t concern him things won’t have gotten so bad
Is there anyone in public life worth looking up to? Really, really disappointing
I think this man should leave out politics. He needs to take a rest. Joker.
…. and when he & his colleagues leave… rest assured they will be financially ‘well-off’ & not have to worry about you detractors! Lol !!!
Boy oh boy
This is the problem with politics in Barbados today.
What a stupid subject to be even brought up in the first place furthermore discuss by past and present Prime Minister.
No matter what class of life we come from.
We are all in the same boat right now the country is falling apart talk about ways in which to improve our living standards and revitalised the economy don’t bring up divisions.
We need to be together no matter what class, colour, race or religion we are from.
There are two very out of touch individuals.
Sad part it.. it ain’t only them 2!!! Most of the politricksters and their electorate are de same way #SadButTrue
Stuart…da got SOME SERIOUS ISSUES affecting BARBADOS and you took time out to talk about Arthur and Mia ? man that is lil boy and senile people talk.
Don’t lose any sleep people. These are two of the most brilliant brains in our country right now and thank full there are from the same working class background and believe me when I say that they do not have any differences between them
Owen Arthur you are the same man who said that by the end of May 2017, the Barbados would collapse. This is now 5 Sept. 2017 and we are still standing and will continue to stand as long as the Democratic Labour Party forms the Govt.
Owen has been signing the collasing Barbados economy song since 2008.
It is time to turn the page Owen.
I agree with our Hon. Prime Minister, you have let down your working class roots. You started rubbing shoulders with people like the WILLIAMS, CHARLES HERBERT, the SIMPSONS and you came away feeling like you are one of the 3% of the population of Barbados instead of the 97% of the population.
Line 4 should read “collapsing”.
You wrote it just the way you speak. Who correct you?
Who is the ‘we’ that still standing?
And by the way, Owen was right – the economy has collapsed, Any idea of the inflation rate? Correct unemployment figures? Crime rate? GDP? Investment portfolio? Debt ratio? Need I go on?
@CCC’ you seems to be sleeping for a very long time and only wakes up when Stuart roar. Go back to sleep until Stuart spew his garbage again.
ohhhhhhhhhhhh……….you just SHORT then. short on a plausible response.
OH boy, Politics is a “thankless” job.
I am glad Owen Arthur replied to the Prime Minister who sent standing keeps tumbling and tumbling. I believe Owen’s reply to the statements by the PM make for a real response that should have been public and to the PM’s face. You should have asked that it be a public meeting when you told him what you said you told him.
I know that the PM would have wilted under the barrage of words and venom that would have sprung forth from Owen’s mouth. A word to fumble; leave Owen alone, he might bring you down sooner than you imagine.
“…. he might bring you down sooner than you imagine.”
The way Mia brought Owen down?
This government has move this country from being Barrow-bados to Parro-bados.
Partisan politics is pulling us all, into the pit. Cancel the upcoming dogfight. Sinful tactics produce no winners.
The people must determine to unite and have designed a new governance model, where citizens can simultaneously make positive contributions, to realize social harmony and achieve widespread prosperity.
A direct participatory democracy on a digital platform, with universally selected, sectoral leaders; professionally qualified, experienced and held accountable ongoing is needed to replace the geographical constituency, parliamentary representation Westminster system that tears us apart.
@Andrew Simpson: this is an excellent idea! Brilliant! I’ve come to similar conclusions. What have you been able to do to push this forward and make it a reality? I no longer live in Bim but I think Barbados is waiting on people like you.