Independent Online Edition > UK Politics: "Barbadian leader honeymoons in Birmingham (while Blair holidays on his Caribbean island)
By Guy Adams
Published: 24 August 2006
For the Prime Ministers of Britain and Barbados, the past week will go down as the ultimate lifestyle-swap. As Tony Blair lapped up the sun at Cliff Richard's Caribbean holiday villa, his opposite number, the Rt Hon Owen Seymour Arthur, was enjoying a romantic honeymoon - on the rainswept streets of Birmingham.
Mr Arthur and his bride, Julie, who married in Bridgetown on 12 August, used their first foreign tour as man and wife to enjoy a mini-break in England's second city.
In place of a barbecue on the white-sand beaches of their home country, the happy couple spent Monday visiting the city centre, before a reception at the grandly-named Mayor's Suite of Birmingham Council House. Then the 56-year-old Prime Minister whisked his bride off on a whistle-stop tour of the working-class suburb of Aston.
'We left Tony Blair behind in Barbados, enjoying his break away from the hurly-burly of British politics,' he informed his delighted hosts. 'It's marvellous to be here, and Birmingham is a charming city. I know your weather hasn't been too good recently, but we've had a real warm welcome from the Birmingham people. Britain is as good a place as any to have a honeymoon.'
Mr and Mrs Arthur and their six-year-old daughter, Leah, found themselves there due to a longstanding diary commitment that pre-dated their decision to tie the knot. Five per cent of Birmingham's population is from the Caribbean, and Barbadian politicians are trying to forge closer links with the city.
'Birmingham wouldn't be the place I would choose for a honeymoon, but you've got to remember that for him, coming from the Caribbean, it's quite a g"
By Guy Adams
Published: 24 August 2006
For the Prime Ministers of Britain and Barbados, the past week will go down as the ultimate lifestyle-swap. As Tony Blair lapped up the sun at Cliff Richard's Caribbean holiday villa, his opposite number, the Rt Hon Owen Seymour Arthur, was enjoying a romantic honeymoon - on the rainswept streets of Birmingham.
Mr Arthur and his bride, Julie, who married in Bridgetown on 12 August, used their first foreign tour as man and wife to enjoy a mini-break in England's second city.
In place of a barbecue on the white-sand beaches of their home country, the happy couple spent Monday visiting the city centre, before a reception at the grandly-named Mayor's Suite of Birmingham Council House. Then the 56-year-old Prime Minister whisked his bride off on a whistle-stop tour of the working-class suburb of Aston.
'We left Tony Blair behind in Barbados, enjoying his break away from the hurly-burly of British politics,' he informed his delighted hosts. 'It's marvellous to be here, and Birmingham is a charming city. I know your weather hasn't been too good recently, but we've had a real warm welcome from the Birmingham people. Britain is as good a place as any to have a honeymoon.'
Mr and Mrs Arthur and their six-year-old daughter, Leah, found themselves there due to a longstanding diary commitment that pre-dated their decision to tie the knot. Five per cent of Birmingham's population is from the Caribbean, and Barbadian politicians are trying to forge closer links with the city.
'Birmingham wouldn't be the place I would choose for a honeymoon, but you've got to remember that for him, coming from the Caribbean, it's quite a g"
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