The voice of the late Right Honorable Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, Barbados’ fourth Prime Minister in his trade mark blunt and matter of fact style.
Sir Lloyd passed away this morning at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The government has announced that a period of National Mourning will be observed starting today, Monday, June 26, until Wednesday June 28th, and on the day of the State Funeral
In addition, all flags will be flown at half-mast until the interment.
Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan, will be the coordinating Minister for the funeral arrangements.
Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford became Barbados’ fourth Prime Minister in June 1987, at the age of 50.
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Prime Minister Mia Amor Nottley has led the flood of tributes at the passing of Sir Lloyd.
In a statement she says it is with a sense of deep sadness, that she says goodbye to yet another Barbadian nation builder, a true statesman — and without doubt a through and through gentleman of post-Independence Barbadian politics.
She notes that Sir Lloyd, who has been known affectionately across the length and breadth of Barbados as “Sandi” since the late 1960s, has had the distinction of maintaining a political career of more than three decades without a single instance in which bad behavior or the use of the robust language and colourful metaphors being attached to his name.
Miss Mottley adds that in fact, those who knew him well might argue that the only feature of his personality that could have possibly rivaled his ever-gentle spirit, was his capacity to take a position on any matter and remain resolute and unmoved, even in the face of the most unrelenting pressure.
Sir Lloyd, she says, was what Bajans would respectfully describe as, “his own man” at all times.
According to Miss Mottley no review of Sir Lloyd’s sterling contribution to Barbados would be complete without tribute to his leadership of the Ministry of Education.
She points out that hi tenure as Minister of Education included the establishment of the Barbados Community College, an institution at which he subsequently taught.
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President of the Democratic Labour Party, Dr. Ronnie Yearwood, remembers Sir Lloyd as one who loved his country.
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Former Finance Minister Chris Sinckler, who served at stage as personal assistant to Prime Minister Sandiford recalls his former teacher, political mentor and subsequent boss.
Political Scientist, George Belle, remembers Sir Lloyd primarily for his many contributions to the education sector
Political Scientist, George Belle
In 1994, the Prime Minister Sandiford narrowly lost a no confidence motion brought against him by the opposition when a number of members of his own party broke ranks and voted in support of the motion.
He then called elections for 1994, two years before they were constitutionally due, but lost to the Barbados Labour Party led by Owen Arthur.
