Ex-Dem Trotman wins St Michael Central nomination as Labour turns up election focus

Tyra Trotman, a 30-year-old lawyer who defected from the opposition Democratic Labour Party, secured the Barbados Labour Party nomination for St Michael Central on Thursday night, emerging from a spirited internal contest that drew hundreds of jubilant supporters to Combermere School.

BLP supporters flooded the Combermere School on Thursday night as the party selected its candidate. After a closely watched contest, Tyra Trotman emerged victorious in the primary, defeating Dr Lynette Holder by 156 votes to 45 to secure the nomination for the next general election, expected to be announced imminently. 

Jubilant cheers erupted as ballots confirmed Trotman had secured a majority in every box. Embracing supporters, she declared: “We are red, and we are ready!”

Speaker of the House of Assembly and outgoing parliamentary representative Arthur Holder, who is stepping back from elective politics, said: “I am honoured and privileged to hand over the reins as a candidate for the Barbados Labour Party in the upcoming election to Ms Tyra Trotman. I wish her extremely well in all of her endeavours and I know that with the backing from St Michael Central, she shall do well.”

Reflecting on his 12 years of service, Holder expressed gratitude to the network that supported him throughout his tenure. Addressing constituents directly, he added: “I could not have been a good representative without you embracing me and you will always remain special to me wherever I go.”

Holder also emphasised the importance of people-centred leadership. “Representation has to be about the people of the constituency and not self. As long as you commit yourself to doing good for the people of the constituency, they will welcome you and vote for you, it as simple as that.”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, addressing the gathering, highlighted the party’s depth of talent. “Other parties have to run and look for people. We have the benefit of people who want to serve, and I give you the assurance that the work that has to be done in this country, we do not have enough people to do that work.”

Paying tribute to Dr Holder, Mottley said: “We know that for the people of St Michael Central, you will always be there for them because that is your nature. You were there before you became the member of parliament and you will be there after you leave as their member of parliament.”

She continued: “Thank you for showing that this party is rooted still in giving people opportunities and giving people choices.” She praised Holder’s professional contributions, stating: “Lynette your continued work at the Small Business Association and also in building out opportunities for small people in this country remains pivotal.”

Turning to Trotman, Mottley described her as a bridge to younger voters. “We appreciate that you have come in and paid your penance, you have come in and worked with people and kept your head down.” She also praised Trotman’s public apology about a past social media incident, in which she blasted those who may not vote for her, noting: “If you don’t have second chances in life, people will often not make it.”

Mottley outlined commitments to residents across the constituency, including Belle View and The Belle, where that day she had announced that potable water and sewerage services would be laid on in the squatting community that built up over the last 30 years.

Assuring them that access to water would be improved and housing circumstances regularised, she said: “We have done the heavy lifting and the work to put in the sewage systems that have been long promised to you and that you have never gotten.”

Highlighting achievements under her administration, Mottley noted extended maternity and paternity leave, capped import duties and tax relief. “We reduced your income taxes, we reduced your land taxes and more is to come,” she said.

“This country faces some challenges externally and domestically and over the course of the next few weeks, you will hear me talk more and more about this, starting with the nomination of the City of Bridgetown [candidate] on Saturday again.” 

With Saturday’s nomination would complete the full slate of Labour candidates for the 30 ridings at stake in the polls, amid widespread speculation of a general election within weeks, and a year ahead of schedule.