Sir Keir Starmer asserted that the UK has a “long and rich” history with Barbados as he welcomed the Barbadian Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, to Downing Street. He greeted Mottley on the steps of Number 10 on Friday morning, recognising her leadership since 2018.
Barbados, formerly a British colony, gained independence from the UK in 1966. It then assumed the status of a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch. The country then transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth in 2021, replacing the monarchy with a ceremonial president.
Addressing the media inside No. 10, Sir Keir said it was a “pleasure and a privilege” to welcome Ms. Mottley, who has been the leader of the Barbados Labour Party since 2008, to Downing Street.
Sir Keir added: “We’ve known each other many, many years as good colleagues and now as leaders who work together, think alike.
“The history between our countries is long and rich, and the future challenges we face – we face together.”
Ms. Mottley said it was important for her country and the UK to find common ground on “things that are necessary for us to have a healthy global community that can benefit all of us.”
Speaking next to Sir Keir from inside No. 10, the Barbados Prime Minister added, “We’ve had the opportunity to meet a number of times since you assumed office.”
“The world in which we live is a very different world, even from when you assumed office in July.”
The leaders reflected on the strength of the relationship between the UK and Barbados, as well as the challenges faced by the two countries, including growth, climate change, and global instability.
The Prime Minister also thanked Prime Minister Mottley for Barbados’s action against the Russian shadow fleet. It has previously been reported that Ms Mottley is viewed as a potential candidate to succeed Antonio Guterres as the next secretary-general of the United Nations. At present, PM Mottley is the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
