Holness, Phillips send congrats to Mottley on election win

The rise of Mia Amor Mottley to the pinnacle of the Barbados political landscape is not lost on Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who hailed her victory in the Caribbean island-nation's general election as proof again that women could ascend to the top of political leadership. His comments were made as he congratulated Mottley after her landslide victory at the polls on Thursday.

The 52-year-old was sworn in as Barbados' eighth prime minister yesterday, joining a handful of other Caribbean women who have led governments. Mottley, who held a succession of ministerial portfolios between the years 1999 to 2008, led the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to a crushing defeat of the Democratic Labour Party, winning all 30 seats in the Parliament.

Mottley's success is also being celebrated by Jamaica's parliamentary opposition, the People's National Party, which invited Mottley to speak at its annual conference in 2017.

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips celebrated her victory with a message, stating that the win signalled the desire of the people of Barbados for change, renewed hope, CARICOM, and a strong collective Caribbean voice in the global community.

"A friend of the PNP, the BLP's return to power marks a move towards governance, which is always a welcome development that benefits all," said Phillips.

"The PNP wishes the new government success as it takes on board the expectations of the people of Barbados and strives to improve the lives of the majority of its people," he added.