Owen Arthur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owen Arthur
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| 5th Prime Minister of Barbados | |
| In office 6 September 1994 – 15 January 2008 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Nita Barrow Clifford Husbands |
| Deputy | Billie Miller (1994–2003) Mia Mottley (2003–2008) |
| Preceded by | Erskine Sandiford |
| Succeeded by | David Thompson |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 1 August 1993 – 6 September 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Lloyd Erskine Sandiford |
| Preceded by | Henry deBoulay Forde |
| Succeeded by | David Thompson |
| In office 18 October 2010 – 26 February 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Freundel Stuart |
| Preceded by | Mia Mottley |
| Succeeded by | Mia Mottley |
| Member of Parliament for Saint Peter |
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| In office 22 November 1984 – 6 March 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Sybil Leacock (July 1984 – November 1984) Burton Hinds (1966–1984) |
| Succeeded by | Colin Jordan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Owen Seymour Arthur
17 October 1949 Bridgetown, British Windward Islands, (present day Barbados) |
| Died | 27 July 2020 (aged 70) Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Political party | Barbados Labour Party (Until 2014) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (2014-2018) |
| Spouses | Beverly Arthur (née Batchelor) (m. 1978; div. 2000) Julie Arthur (m. 2006) |
| Children | 2 daughters: Leah and Sabrina |
| Parents |
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Owen Seymour Arthur (October 17, 1949 – July 27, 2020) was an important Barbadian politician. He served as the fifth Prime Minister of Barbados from 1994 to 2008. He was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Barbados's history. He also served as the Leader of the Opposition at different times.
Arthur strongly believed in countries in the Caribbean working together. He was called the main designer of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy by CARICOM. He also supported the Caribbean Court of Justice becoming the final court for Caribbean nations. He also supported the University of the West Indies and the regional airline LIAT.
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Early Life and Education
Owen Arthur went to All Saints Boys’ School, Coleridge and Parry Boys' School, and Harrison College. He earned a degree in economics and history in 1971 from the University of the West Indies – Cave Hill in Barbados. He later got a master's degree in economics in 1974 from the University of the West Indies – Mona in Jamaica.
After college, he worked as an economic planner in Jamaica. He also directed economics at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute. In 1981, he returned to Barbados. He worked for the Barbadian Ministry of Finance and Planning. He was also a researcher at the UWI's Institute of Social and Economics Research.
Political Career
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Arthur started his political journey in 1983. He was appointed to the Senate of Barbados. In 1984, he won a special election for the House of Assembly. This made him a Member of Parliament for Saint Peter. From 1985 to 1986, he worked as a parliamentary secretary for finance. He also taught management at UWI Cave Hill. In 1993, he became the leader of the Barbados Labour Party. This made him the Leader of the Opposition.
Serving as Prime Minister (1994–2008)
In September 1994, the Labour Party won the general elections. This made Owen Arthur the Prime Minister of Barbados. He also took on roles as Minister of National Security, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Information. He appointed four women as ministers, which was a significant step. One of them, Mia Mottley, later became Prime Minister herself.
In 1995, Arthur helped create a commission to improve Barbados's laws and government. That same year, he became a Privy Counsellor. This gave him the special title "Right Honourable." As Prime Minister, he worked hard to bring Caribbean countries closer together. He led the creation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy in 2001. This agreement helped countries trade and work together more easily.
Arthur also wanted Barbados to host big international meetings. One was the UN Global Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This meeting created a plan for sustainable development for small island nations. He also helped negotiate an agreement between West Indian nations and the United States in 1997.
After a successful first term, his party won a huge victory in the 1999 election. They won 26 out of 28 seats. His government then started plans to make major towns more beautiful. They also worked to make Barbados's economy more open. They focused on improving airports and seaports.
In the 2003 election, his party won again, securing his third term. A key promise for this election was to make Barbados a parliamentary republic. This would mean replacing Queen Elizabeth II with a Barbadian President as the Head of State. Arthur planned a national vote on this in 2005.
However, this plan was delayed by other important projects. These included putting the CARICOM Single Market and Economy into action. He also led tough talks for a trade agreement between Caribbean and European Union countries.
Arthur also played a big role in Barbados hosting parts of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In 2007, he spoke in the U.S. about his plan for Caribbean cooperation.
On March 25, 2007, Barbados's Parliament passed a resolution. It recognized that slavery was a crime against humanity. Arthur supported slavery reparations. He believed that educational exchanges and technology transfers were better than money payments.
Serving as Leader of the Opposition
In the 2008 general election, Arthur's party lost to the Democratic Labour Party. He still won his own seat in St. Peter. He then stepped down as the leader of his party. Mia Mottley was chosen as the new leader.
In 2010, some members of his party wanted him to return as leader. They were not happy with Mottley's leadership. So, Owen Arthur became the Leader of the Opposition again in October 2010.
In the 2013 election, his party narrowly lost again. Arthur was re-elected to his seat. A few days later, the party chose Mia Mottley to replace him as Leader of the Opposition. Arthur was not there, allowing them to choose freely.
In 2014, Arthur left the Barbados Labour Party. He had disagreements with Mia Mottley. He served the rest of his term as an independent Member of Parliament. He did not run in the 2018 election and retired from politics.
Later Career and Public Service
After leaving politics, Owen Arthur became a professor in Economics of Development. He taught at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill starting in 2018.
In January 2020, Arthur was appointed Chairman of the regional airline LIAT. His job was to help the airline recover financially. He had always been a strong supporter of LIAT.
Arthur also led a group observing the 2020 Guyanese general election. He confirmed that the election was orderly. He later criticized attempts to delay the election results.
Death
Owen Arthur was hospitalized in July 2020 due to heart problems. He passed away in Bridgetown on July 27, 2020. He was given a state funeral. His body lay in state at the Barbados House of Assembly. Many people from across the Americas and the Commonwealth shared their tributes.
Honours and Awards
In 1999, Owen Arthur received the Order of José Martí from Cuba.
See also
- Politics of Barbados
