Yearwood: Constituents tired of ‘old politics’ and small unkept promises

Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for St James South, Dr Ronnie Yearwood says constituents have been complaining about a lack of representation and that they have grown tired of “old politics” and small unkept promises.

And the attorney-at-law, who said he has already started working to uplift the lives of many in the constituency, said he stands ready to fill the gap and represent the people of St James South, which has a wide demographic with varying needs.

“They are tired of the lack of empowerment, lack of engagement, lack of consultation and they want to be involved in the decision-making process of their country, [and] of their constituency. The concern is that there has been a lack of representation to deal with the basic things in the community,” he said.

Speaking during his Canvas Launch today, following Friday’s announcement that he will be running for the St James South seat on a DLP ticket, Dr Yearwood said not only are constituents asking for a community centre among other things, but many are also concerned about the high unemployment rate in the constituency.

Dr Yearwood who has long been an advocate of education and youth affairs in Barbados, has done projects with the youth of the constituency who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent national lockdowns, through facilitating much needed Wi-Fi to the Haynesville constituency during the current online school environment.

Dr Yearwood assured that he will be participating in a clean campaign going into the upcoming general election. The husband and father said he will be leaving the mudslinging out of his strategies to become the next Member of Parliament for St James South, as his focus will be on how best he can empower and enlighten constituents.

The lecturer said: “And in some ways, I have started to think about how to connect the people of St James South to the global network of opportunities that are out there, and that is what the new MP is about, that is what the new politics is about.

“You do the things that a government should do, but you have to also take your constituents along with you. Help them to plug into your network, help to create opportunities for them whether it is in education, businesses, financing”.

Before making his way into the community to meet residents, in the company of other DLP candidates and supporters, Dr Yearwood donated several tablets to the Hayneville Youth Club.

“I look forward to meeting the residents in St James South and I look forward to their support. We are here to understand their concerns and we are here to act. The big part of my campaign is about getting things done, it’s about showing up and that’s what we are doing. I will show up for the people of St James South. I will show up for the people of Barbados. I will get things done. We have demonstrated our ability to get things done,” Dr Yearwood said. (AH)