Young City candidates declare plans for constituents

Scores turned up at the Donald Headley Auditorium, The City to offer their support to Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate Corey Lane who will contest that seat in the January 19 General Elections.

Lane, a longstanding community practitioner, said he is feeling engaged and ready for the official start of his campaign, while his Democratic Labour Party (DLP) contender Kemar Stuart who also showed up for nomination in the company of several supporters, said he is also ready to commence his race.

Lane, who replaces Minister of Health The Most Honourable Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic as the BLP’s candidate, said he has been receiving favourable feedback from constituents and assured he has heard their issues and concerns.

“The main issues that come to hand are jobs, cost of living, housing, flooding, the sewage, and sanitation. There are many issues but I believe that not only me but this entire team … are equal and greater than the tasks. Corey Lane is coming. Corey Lane is here and you are in the right lane with Corey Lane,” the former talk show host said.

In the face of suggestions that he is too young to be an MP, the 39-year-old said he is not concerned about those who question his capabilities to efficiently represent The City because of his youthfulness. In fact, Lane said though he may be young in age, he is “extremely old in experience”.

“I have been helping people for 24 years come this June. So, I am extremely experienced and that is number one. Number two is, really and truly, we are really one family in Barbados. Barbados is too small to be segregated and the real mission and the real message is that we need to look at unity.

“I have been working in The City and many places in Barbados for the last 24 years. So, I wouldn’t even consider that a criticism. I don’t have time for it. I only have time to address the issues for the people in The City right now,” Lane said.

Lane was nominated by Wayne Kirton and seconded by Regina Hinds.

Social activist and cultural practitioner Dr The Most Honourable Anthony The Mighty Gabby Carter who was one of the scores present to support Lane said it was known that the BLP candidate for The City was undoubtedly a community-oriented individual.

Carter said he worked with Lane when he was younger on several community projects.

“So, I almost had no choice but to throw my support down behind Corey Lane because he loves us from Nelson Street to Chapman Lane. He is the correct choice to help the community to grow and I am proud of him as a young man,” he said.

Communications specialist and talk-show host Joy-Ann Haigh, who was also present to support her friend Lane, said she always admired the candidate’s desire to help people.

“I am hoping that you vote for Corey Lane, because you vote for the Prime Minister of this country because we need her back and we need to continue the work. So, a vote for Corey is a vote for the leader,” she said.

Stuart shared with reporters that he was also proud to be a candidate contesting The City seat. He said he is hoping to inspire many young people to be beacons in society.

The economist said he has started canvassing in The City where he too has been listening to residents highlight issues, including flooding, a lack of drainage and lighting, and an absence of employment opportunities.

“The City was once the life and heart of Barbados but it’s no longer, and The City has become so dead and dormant. Persons are crying out for some life, some re-engagement for residents in The City because times have become hard and we are in need of some kind of hope.

“As a Member of Parliament, your job is to activate and agitate for representation on behalf of your constituents. So, after being seated, my first thing would be to try to continue engaging residents to hear what their issues are.

“Coming out of that, then you will develop plans that can actually benefit and help the constituents to have an easier and better life. We are prepared. Our team is ready. We are confident and we will see what happens on the 19th of January,” Stuart said.

Stuart was nominated by Decoursey Headley and seconded by Richard Blackman. (AH)