Candidates of the two main political parties contesting the St John seat in the upcoming general election were out campaigning on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Prime Minister Mia Mottley ran the election bell.
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate Andre Worrell was the first out the gates with his team during the early morning period, after the announcement of the snap election for January 19, 2022. They canvassed in Venture #3, speaking to residents about their concerns and hopes for the constituency after the election season is over.
Speaking to the media, Worrell said he was more than confident about his chances of reclaiming the former DLP stronghold for his party, citing the complaints from many residents who felt a measure of abandonment by the current Barbados Labour Party (BLP) representative, Charles Griffith who became MP in the 2018 polls.
MP Charles Griffith and his team making their way through Messiah Street.
“They are recognizing that they have not necessarily gotten their fair share of the pie in this election, and also they are complaints about the representative being distant, not available, or not necessarily treating them in the right way. My approach is that I am a resident of St John, and will work with the people of St John,” he said.
The lack of jobs, failing road networks, and stagnant agricultural lands were among the areas Worrell said were identified by constituents as significant issues.
He added that despite several Government initiatives in 2020 and 2021 that were aimed at stimulating the economy, the average small business did not benefit.
“The money was going to the big businesses – [including] the $300 million that went to tourism – but not much money was going towards small businesses or the average person with a business idea [who] lost a job due to COVID but wanted to do something to make ends meet. Those are the people that have been neglected,” the DLP hopeful insisted.
However, in defence of his record, Griffith was adamant that the parish had seen significant transformation during the three years of his stewardship, in areas such as infrastructure, job creation, and the alleviation of water woes.
Speaking at a press briefing at his constituency office, he said that although St John was in DLP hands for several years before he took over, it was his representation that served as the catalyst for significant work.
“Even though there was a pandemic and we were impacted by the ashfall, in three and a half years more was done in the constituency of St John than 60 years prior to 2018,” he contended. “Infrastructure work has been done in several communities within the constituency, households have been impacted in terms of jobs, and households have been impacted in terms of pit toilets being moved…into waterborne facilities.”
The St John MP added: “Am I finished? Of course not. There is still a lot to be done on this political journey. This new campaign will embark on trying to complete a number of projects that are still outstanding in St John.”
Griffith added that he intends to place further emphasis on youth sporting development if voters once again give him support at the polls.
“The rebirth of basketball and netball within the constituency have not materialised, but these things will happen because I believe that the young people in St John deserve a better chance at everything that is available on the landscape in Barbados,” he added. (SB)
