Born on 26 February 1954 in Barbados, Atherley received his early education at the Federal High School.

Atherley serves as Senior Minister of the Better Life Assembly and is a member of the Evangelical Holiness Christian Community.

He was elected from the Saint Michael West constituency, defeating Branford Taitt of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).

[9] On 31 May, less than a week after the swearing-in of the new government, Atherley informed the prime minister of his intention to leave the BLP and become an independent parliamentarian.

Due to the absence of other non-BLP MPs in Parliament, Atherley was sworn in the next day as Leader of the Opposition,[10] which entitled him to receive the parliamentary prerogatives of the office, an increased annual salary of BB$129,000, and the power to advise on the appointment of the two minority representatives in the Senate.