Third parties plot next moves as one-party Parliament returned

The House of Assembly will once again be without an opposition in Parliament after the Barbados Labour Party’s third consecutive clean sweep in Wednesday’s general election, prompting fringe political groups to reassess their strategies and renew calls for greater cooperation among the BLP’s critics.

Leader of the New National Party (NNP) Kemar Stuart, who was defeated in St John by the BLP’s Charles Griffith, raised what he described as “serious concerns” about discrepancies with the voters’ list following the poll.

Also contesting the St John seat was Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne, who refused to vote after discovering he had been transferred from Christ Church East to Christ Church South.

Stuart told Barbados TODAY that voters had raised issues about omissions and irregularities on the list.

He said: “Throughout election day, several voters voiced frustration over being unable to find their names on the register for the constituencies where they believed they were enrolled, often being told they were listed elsewhere.

“There are concerns and serious concerns about the list of persons they left off. So they raised issues about it previously in terms of person, you know, who may not have registered for particular use, some nuances and errors, from internal. Yes, there were issues with persons being left off, yes, persons were also a little bit lackadaisical in ensuring that their names were on the list and incorrect boxes.”

He called for a fixed date for general elections, arguing that it would give the Electoral and Boundaries Commission adequate time to prepare.

“A fixed date for elections to give the electoral boundaries adequate time to prepare itself for full general elections,” he said.

Beyond concerns about the voters’ list, Stuart expressed unease that the country once again faces a 30-set House of Assembly without an elected opposition: “We also say that we are willing to work with other parties, to form, you know, a national coalition if necessary, that would include the Democratic Labor Party and the Friends of Democracy, to form, you know, one singular entity because you have a huge concern right now, and the fact that the largest opposition party of Barbados was defeated 30-nil again.”

He added that the absence of an opposition requires urgent national discussion: “The last two opposition leaders that we had were persons who crossed the floor from the Barbados Labour Party, and we don’t want that for a certain time. So we need to, you know, have a conversation right now about how the role of opposition will be filled, given the fact that we have a vacuum in our Parliament yet again.”

Stuart, whose New National Party (NNP) is part of the People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP)—an alliance involving the United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Conservative Barbados Leadership Party (CBLP)—thanked supporters in St John and across the coalition for their efforts.

“Every single person who would have voted for me, and participants in the team as well, acknowledge the People’s Coalition for Progress as well,” he said.

“If you’re satisfied with the performance that we put, if you’re satisfied with the performance I put in, in the constituency, and I intend to continue to work with the people, community service, and, you know, that they keep building along the way because we intend to stick in there.”

He revealed that many of the coalition’s candidates were first‑time contenders and said the group intends to regroup before determining its next steps.

“Feedback from them is very positive, but we need to huddle as a team, you know, just giving everyone some time to collect themselves, to get a little bit of rest, and we will meet and reorganise ourselves and plan for the future.”

The leader of the Friends of Democracy, Karina Goodridge, conceding defeat in St Philip West to the BLP’s Kay McConney, congratulated Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her team on their victory.

Goodridge led a slate of 12 candidates, all but one new to elective politics, and signalled that the party would remain engaged at the community level.

She said: “We are certain that the real soldiers enter the fight regardless of the battle. We trust that those who have won will use this victory to transform lives, uplift communities, and extend support to those in need. We will continue to raise our flag high.”

Acknowledging the disappointment felt by her team, Goodridge urged perseverance.

“To those who were not victorious from the other parties, please know that your contributions to this nation are deeply valued and appreciated. This is Barbados, and our hearts are with you, the people of this great nation. Individuals understand that building something meaningful often requires perseverance through losses and delays.”