‘Crowded ballot’: St Philip voters say candidates missing from campaign trail

With just a week to go before the February 11 general election, voters across St Philip say that despite an unprecedented number of candidates vying for seats in the parish, most remain invisible on the ground. Barbados TODAY visited several communities in St Philip to gauge public reaction to the sudden surge of candidates.

Perceived weaknesses in St Philip’s political climate have drawn heightened attention from multiple parties ahead of the February 11 general election, with 13 candidates contesting three constituencies in the parish.

The dominant view among voters: the contenders are still not visible enough.

“Not a politician ever do nothing for me, not even a biscuit,” said Ms Straughn, 76, of Bonita Drive, St Patrick’s, St Philip West. “Even register for a government house, every time I call they tell me there ain’t nothing.”

The elderly resident, who has lived in the area for more than 15 years, recalled limited interaction with elected officials.

“I live out here 15 years and lemme tell you something, I see Kay McConney once and I tell she the bus system up here stinks. Sometimes you go in the bus stand and stand three and four hours before you get a bus. I tell her that and nothing ain’t happen. In fact, it get worse.”

Ms Straughn said she is neither strongly for nor against any party. While she does not hate politics, she believes elected officials should do more for the poor and vulnerable once in office.

“The pension that they giving we, I thankful, but it ain’t enough. I still gotta pay for this house ‘cause I get it late…”

She also believes the government should provide housing for the homeless.

“She should at least build a house, let them come in when they feel like. Left the door open, ’cause that will be their home.”

Ms Straughn said she has seen the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate and his team, someone from Lynette Eastmond’s United Progressive Party (UPP), and representatives of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), but such encounters have been rare.

She remains undecided and said she will make up her mind on election day.

Another St Patrick’s resident, Frank Best, said that despite the growing number of candidates, his vote remains firmly with the BLP.

“The other people are not impressive. You don’t know them. One thing I always say to myself, the DLP is criticising, they’re not offering solutions.”

“I ain’t see the other people. I hear about them,” he added, saying his support for the BLP is secure “as long as I have life.”

Best acknowledged that United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate Lynette Eastmond is well known in the area . He confirmed he will vote on February 11.

In Church Village, vegetable vendor Ian Bennett said he has lost faith in electoral politics altogether.

“I will never vote again. Voting ain’t doing nothing for me. I gotta do what I can do for myself.”

Bennett said more could be achieved if politicians genuinely assisted those who are struggling.

“A lot of people in Barbados need help. A lot of people on the edge. Politicians only come when election comes. Win or lose, if you wanna be devoted in this thing, you still gotta come and show you care.”

Another Church Village resident said he intends to vote but is unconcerned about the influx of candidates, noting that many of them were largely absent in the constituency before the campaign period.

At Crane, St Philip, 76-year-old Noel Greenidge criticised poor road maintenance and uncollected garbage.

“You see out here, look at this road. Water running ‘bout here all in front here, so it does be muddy. We don’t see him, so we can’t raise it with him,” he said.

The former fisherman said he has not seen candidates from other parties either but confirmed he will cast his vote a week from Wednesday.

Political analyst Peter Wickham offered context on the growing presence of multiple parties in St Philip, saying it reflects deficiencies within the opposition rather than dissatisfaction with the government.

“I know that one or two of those parties have specifically said that they’re trying to provide an opposition alternative. I would probably say that it reflects a level of dissatisfaction with the opposition more so than with the government. So it doesn’t seem as though there’s an expectation that they can occupy a governmental space, but they can occupy an opposition space.”

Wickham also explained why St Philip has become a key battleground.

“St Philip has traditionally been the strongest area for the Democratic Labour Party. So the fact that they’re going into St Philip suggests that they believe that the opportunities for displacing the DLP are greatest within St Philip.”

While some DLP supporters may stay home, he does not believe voters are particularly energised by third-party options.

“I don’t believe that the people of St Philip are feeling any more motivated or excited about the alternatives, because there is an understanding that these parties are not going to win. They’re not going to do well and ultimately they become fodder.”

He added that opposition constituencies have historically benefited less — particularly residents with financial needs — weakening the appeal of smaller parties.

“Traditionally, opposition constituencies have not really benefited much from voting for those who might not be able to do much for them, especially those people who have financial needs.”

Wickham also noted that vote-splitting tends to benefit the dominant political party, currently the BLP, while opposition votes are divided.

“My analysis over the years is that the split vote goes to the dominant political entity. At this point, it’s the Barbados Labour Party. So it is a disruptor, but largely for the Democratic Labour Party.”

Returning DLP candidate Dr David Estwick, a former government minister, expressed confidence in reclaiming the seat.

“I think that for the period of time I was a representative, my record speaks for itself. I have an opponent whose record speaks for itself as well, and I’m sure she will not be said to have done better than me.”

Estwick said he is actively canvassing and engaging residents.

“Hearing what their concerns are and telling them how we are going to address those concerns and implement the policies to deal with them.”

While Estwick rejects claims of widespread voter apathy, Friends of Democracy leader Karina Goodridge, who is also contesting the seat, offered a different perspective.

“A number of individuals have expressed that they did not feel like there was true representation for the last few years. Some remain undecided, while a smaller group has limited interest in politics altogether.”

For Goodridge, a crowded ballot could increase engagement.

“Choice tends to generate curiosity and conversation, and it can motivate participation from residents who may otherwise disengage. A more competitive environment can engage all parties, including the governing party, to connect with and earn public support.”

On concerns about visibility, Goodridge noted practical challenges.

“Constituencies can be quite large, residents are not always home, and candidates operate on structured schedules balancing multiple commitments.”

She added that outreach continues through multiple channels, even if direct contact is not always possible.