Snap election call sparks voter doubt and apathy

As voters absorb news of an early election, conversations at Skymall in Haggatt Hall suggest a mood of frustration, uncertainty and growing detachment among voters who question whether casting a ballot will make any difference this time.

Speaking with shoppers at the busy mall on Tuesday, several people questioned the timing of the election, the lack of clear alternatives from opposition parties, and whether their vote would make any real difference. The last election, held in 2022, was also called early.

Steven Tutu was one of the first to share his views. While he acknowledged that elections are constitutionally due every five years, he questioned whether calling one within such a short timeframe truly allows voters to make an informed choice.

“So I think the results are already a foregone conclusion.”

He said he was not surprised by the early announcement, noting there had been “hints all around” that it was coming. Still, he argued that the process weakens democracy rather than strengthens it.

“I don’t think that’s the best way for democracy to be done,” he said.

When asked if he planned to vote, he admitted he had not yet decided, pointing instead to what he sees as a major weakness in local politics.

“It’s not a competition because the others have not had a chance to put across their message,” he said. “The problem with the politics in Barbados is the opposition is not presenting what they’re going to do different. They’re pointing out what the government is doing wrong. I don’t want to see that. I want you to present me what you’re going to do different.”

A far more hardened stance came from George Lowe, who said he has completely disengaged from the political process. He described himself as neutral and made it clear he does not intend to vote. “Whether they call or not, I am neutral,” he said simply, before explaining that his feelings stem from a long-standing personal experience.

Lowe recalled losing everything in the October 1970 flood, saying politicians visited afterwards but failed to follow through with meaningful action.

“We lose everything… and the politicians came around, everybody came around, and nothing was done. So I’m done with them,” he said.

For him, elections have little impact on his day-to-day reality.

“Whatever they do or whatever happen in Barbados, I still go to work and pay taxes. Pay my bills too and buy my food,” he said.

David Walkes described the election call as “shocking”, even though he said many people sensed it was coming. His concern centred on the lack of information available to voters in such a short space of time.

“We don’t know how, we don’t know what they’re proposing, we don’t know what they’re saying,” he said. “We don’t have a very long time to assess where they’re taking the country or how they’re addressing the issues.”

Using a metaphor, he likened the situation to being invited to a meal without knowing what is on the menu.

“It’s like somebody deciding to invite you for lunch, and you don’t even know what they’re serving, if you can eat, it’s just all of a sudden,” he said.

Walkes said while the prime minister may have been signalling that an election was coming, the wider population still lacks clarity about the options before them.

“You’ve told us where you would like to take us, but we don’t even know what other options there may be,” he said.

Looking ahead to the campaign, he said he wants to hear how Barbados will position itself globally and how the economy will be addressed.

“Locally, we’re seeing a lot of retrenchment in the economy,” he said. “If it is not contracting in numbers, it is contracting physically because you’re seeing a lot of businesses going off the scene. We need to know where that is going. What’s the plan for that?”

Other voices at Skymall echoed a sense of detachment. A retired woman said the election does not bother her and suggested politics is now more for younger people.

“When you retire so that you can sit home, put your feet up, you don’t have to worry about those things,” she said, adding that she was more inclined to stay home doing jigsaw puzzles than go out to vote.

Jason Best was blunt in his assessment, saying he does not plan to vote and does not believe it matters to him personally.

“Not really, man. Not to me,” he said when asked.

One woman, who declined to be named, said she does not closely follow elections but still hopes to vote.

“I’m hoping to vote because I’m hoping for things that I want to happen, happen,” she said, explaining that she still sees value in casting a ballot even if she feels disconnected from the political process.

Ronald Best, who has lived in the United States for more than four decades, said he has not been following national politics closely and cannot vote unless he re-registers. But, from what he has observed internationally, he believes the country’s leadership has performed well.

“From what I can see… I think [Prime Minister Mottley] has done well,” he said.