Holligan is new UPP Chairman

Everton Heru Holligan will lead the United Progressive Party (UPP) for at least the next year.

Holligan beat out Ambrose Grosvenor and Wayne Griffith for the top post following the completion of online voting to elect a new Executive Committee to serve from 2019 to 2020.

The UPP’s former chairman Lynette Eastmond who did not seek re-election was voted in as vice-chairman.

Eastmond, who founded the party in 2016, had said she would not be contesting the top post as she thought it would be appropriate to give as many people in the party as much exposure as possible.

The remaining members of the committee comprise general secretary Wayne Griffith; assistant general secretary Raquel Gilkes; chief financial officer Ambrose Grosvenor; assistant chief financial officer Edison Bynoe and Ria Riley who was elected public relations officer.

In a press release to announce the new committee, the UPP said one of Holligan’s goals would be to change the political landscape in Barbados.

“Mr Holligan is deeply honoured to take up the post of chairman and carry on the mandate of the UPP and continue this progressive movement. He also thanked the outgoing executive management committee for their stellar work over the past year,” the statement read.

“The new chairman indicated that our journey is one to change the political landscape of politics in Barbados and hopefully also inspire the region to function differently in the political arena.”

The statement went on to add that “the voting population is surely disenchanted with the present way in which politics is practiced as it shows a disconnect with the reality of the public experience.”