Owen Arthur stood by Guyana’s side during battle for democracy – PM Phillips

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips has hailed former Barbadian Prime Minister Owen Arthur as a regional political patriarch who stood by Guyana’s side to ensure that democracy prevailed during the five months when the country was embroiled in a political and electoral impasse.

PM Phillips paid tribute to the former Prime Minister as he was laid to rest on Thursday in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Arthur had led the Commonwealth Observer Group, during Guyana’s March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, and later stood up in defence of democracy when the results of the elections were delayed for several months, and the country’s democracy was being threatened.
Phillips said the former Barbadian leader’s actions have resulted in him being ingrained in the hearts of the people of Guyana – a country that owes a great debt to him.
“Today, a new Government serves Guyana, thanks in no small part to the representation made by the likes of Mr Arthur, who lent his voice to ensure that democracy prevailed and stood by our side throughout the long and hard battle,” the Prime Minister posited.

He went on to recall President Irfaan Ali’s speech at his inauguration ceremony last Saturday in which he also paid tribute to Arthur, expressing appreciation for his steadfast determination in ensuring that democracy did not die and Guyanese were not deprived of their democratic rights.
President Ali had deemed Arthur “a true friend of Guyana; a man committed to justice and rights of the people”.
This sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister Phillips who pointed out that “it is in your greatest time of need that those who come to our aid are those who are revealed as persons of true honour and worth.”
According to Phillips, Arthur was a great man; a sagacious mentor; a professional; a friend; a husband and father.
He lauded the former Barbadian leader’s love for his country, and his unrelenting efforts to build his nation for the betterment of its people – lessons that politicians in the region can carve into their own pathways along their political journeys.
“It is believed that the greatest legacy a man can leave behind is his ideas, and Owen Seymour Arthur was undoubtedly a man of excellent ideas, passion and political vigour. Behind him, he has left his family and an entire country to mourn, but he has paved ahead an immeasurable example for others to emulate; that of a true Caribbean leader and visionary,” PM Phillips stated.
He further outlined that Arthur’s contributions across the Caribbean are well known. He said from his fight to reduce unemployment in Barbados, and his work in the island’s economic reform, to his instrumental participation in the establishment of the Caricom single market – Owen Arthur served with fervour, insight, wisdom and might.
The Guyanese PM continued that the late Barbadian leader brought with him a sense of duty and breadth of knowledge informed by many years of experience, appreciation for history and continued love for learning. These traits, he added, would lead to Arthur becoming worthwhile counsel for many in the Caribbean to seek out and to follow.
“Indeed, today, we honour a man whose work and worth will never be forgotten. As we bid farewell to this eminent political patriarch, let us remember his ideas. Let us reflect on his strong beliefs, staunch commitment, and inspirational prowess. May his work continue and may his legacy, his ideas, forever live on,” Phillips remarked.
The former Barbados Prime Minister died at the age of 70 on July 27, 2020, while a patient at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown. He was hospitalised mid-July after suffering a heart attack and was said to be recovering prior to his death.
Arthur was the island nation’s fifth Prime Minister and the longest-serving leader in the country. He led Barbados during what was described as one of its most turbulent times from 1994 to 2008 after Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford fell via a No-Confidence Motion. He rallied the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) faithful and took the reins of power.
He then went on to win the General Elections of 1999 and 2003.