Seven government senators, sworn in at State House on Wednesday, include fresh faces from governance, labour, youth development and disability rights, in Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s bid to strengthen the upper chamber with a balance of experience, youth and expertise.
Among those taking the oath were returning President of the Senate Reginald Farley and Deputy President Elizabeth Thompson, along with John King and Roshanna Trim. Ramon Alleyne, chairman of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission during last week’s general election, lawyer and trade unionist Kamisha Benjamin, and Janeil Odle, the country’s third blind senator, have joined the body for the first time.
Sen Odle, a long-time disability campaigner, described the appointment as both humbling and overwhelming.
She said: “For many years I have been speaking up for persons who believe that they aren’t being heard, and right now it’s my duty… I’m committed to speaking on behalf of not only persons with disabilities but all Barbadians, especially persons who are not being heard. I’m gonna speak for persons who feel as if they don’t have a voice.
“I’m still feeling a bit overwhelmed and of course nervous, but it is really a good feeling.”
Benjamin, the deputy director of industrial relations in the Barbados Workers’ Union, said she brings with her a strong grounding in law and the labour movement.
“I feel a deep sense of responsibility. This is not a role that you can take lightly…, My life has been shaped by two main tenets — the law as well as the labour movement — and I will be bringing those things with me to the Senate.”
She pledged research-driven and analytical contributions to the chamber.
“You can expect from me deep research, analytical thinking… I’m going to bring that kind of fierceness to ensure that we are doing right by the people of Barbados.”
President Jeffrey Bostic, who administered the oath, reminded the senators of the weight of their responsibilities.
He said: “I know that you will serve to the best of your ability. Understand that your function is a very, very important part of our democracy… operate without fear or favour, affection or ill will. Do your very best for your country.”
The appointments were deliberately structured to blend experience with youth, noting the government’s commitment to building future leadership, Prime Minister Mottley said.
“The opportunity to blend experience with youth particularly motivated us in our choice of government senators,” she said. “We have kept faith with our manifesto commitment to have at least three persons under the age of 40 appointed as government senators.”
She reminded the appointees that although unelected, they represent the government and are bound by its manifesto commitments.
“You are not in electoral politics, but you are very much representative of a government… and therefore you are bound by the manifesto.”
Mottley stressed that their stewardship would help ensure Barbados remains “an anchor of stability” and a model of democratic values.
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