A well-known community activist has been selected to replace former West Indies cricketer Floyd Reifer as the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for the St George North riding in next month’s general elections.
Barbados TODAY has confirmed that veteran human resources professional, Herbert Harewood will be hoping to unseat Barbados Labour Party (BLP) incumbent, trade unionist Toni Moore in the January 19, 2022 polls.
Reifer, who was defeated by Moore in the 2020 by-election, on Tuesday night issued a statement in which he endorsed Harewood’s candidacy and explained his departure, citing his busy cricket schedule among the reasons.
Earlier this year, Reifer was named head coach of the West Indies Under-19 team. He is expected to lead the youngsters into the 2022 International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup slated for January 14 to February 5.
In his statement, he noted: “I have been faithful to my service to the next generation of West Indies cricketers across the region, molding and nurturing them in preparation for our international assignment. My contractual obligations to CWI for the ICC U19 World Cup affect my participation in the upcoming general elections.
“I have a moral responsibility to these promising young men whose dreams and aspirations are dependent on my efforts. Therefore, after consulting with the members of my St George North branch, and certainly the President of the Democratic Labour Party, I have decided to support another man of the soil. Stepping aside was a difficult decision, but knowing this community-minded candidate’s interests are similar to mine, centred around serving the people of the constituency and this country, is reassuring,” Reifer added.
Expressing his support for Harewood, he described him as “no stranger to the residents of St George North, a family-oriented man of sound character with an admirable professional background and a track record in community building that is unmatched”.
Harewood, a former chairman of the St George Parish Independence Committee, is said to be the last remaining DLP candidate to receive the nod. He previously campaigned for Reifer in the 2020 by-election.
DLP president Verla DePeiza said of Harewood: “He worked very closely with Floyd in the by-election. He has worked in our campaigns going back to at least 2008. He is not a stranger in the constituency at all. For many years, he has served his community as a youth mentor, been a part of the volunteer service, displayed excellent leadership skills, and, as an avid sportsman, given back in that area also while being an active member of his church.”
When Barbados TODAY reached out to Harewood, he indicated that he was in a meeting but pledged to speak at a later date. (KC)
