Symmonds says Gibson has “disqualified himself” from serving

The ink was hardly dry on the nominations of Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate Kerrie Symmonds and Paul Gibson of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Monday, before clear signs emerged that the battle for St James Central was on

Symmonds arrived at the Frederick Smith Secondary School at 10:30 a.m., with a group of faithful supporters in a ‘mini’ motorcade to solidify his place in the January 19 election.

Mere moments after completing the process, he was firing verbal shots at Gibson, accusing the pharmacist and aspiring politician of “disqualifying himself” over questions raised months ago about the status of the Paynes Bay Fishmarket. At the time, the DLP hopeful called on authorities to tell citizens whether the beachfront facility was being sold to private investors. The facility had been closed but after being extensively refurbished it was returned to the local fishing community.

“My reading of the situation in St James Central is that I have an opponent who has already, in large measure, disqualified himself by beginning his campaign with some of the most atrocious and reprehensible behaviour. The allegation that the Government would have sold the Payne’s Bay Fish Market when it was closed for a period of time, for it to be refurbished, is something that people see as almost unforgivable and, certainly, no quarter will be given on this particular matter,” declared Symmonds.

“I don’t think Barbados can afford an approach to public life where you begin by plumbing the deepest depths possible. What I think the country is looking for are people interested in uplifting and engaging in serious social and economic discussions,” the incumbent MP told reporters.

However, Gibson, who also had a large number of supporters with him on Monday, declared that he had no intentions of using his campaign as a platform for responding to Symmonds, adding that he had already spoken on the issue in the media and in a short video.

“I just address the people and the concerns of the people in St James Central. This campaign is not about him,” Gibson told Barbados TODAY.

The DLP candidate stressed that he has actively been working since 2020 to assist with water woes in Redman’s Village and Kew Land, through collaborations with the Barbados Water Authority’s General Manager.

Gibson said he had also been working with fisherfolk to address new laws that are restricting them from adequately plying their trade.

He added that addressing concerns about beach access, joblessness, and agricultural projects were among his priorities.

As a member of the healthcare community, Gibson declared that he has dedicated his life to service and his political aspirations were simply a part of this ethos.

“I am accustomed to serving people, I am accustomed to mentoring young people so that they can identify the potential within themselves and see opportunities and see them grow from strength to strength to become their best self. So serving and contributing to Barbadian and young people’s lives is something that I do. This is my life and I want to do it on an even larger scale for the members of Lane’s Road and Olive Lodge and Berbice 1 and 2, Chapel Gap, Redman’s Village, Kew Land and the people of Bagatelle,” he declared.

In the meantime, Symmonds, who has been serving the St James Central constituency since 2003, signalled his intention to continue much-needed infrastructural work such as the installation of lights at the Good Shepherd Primary School playing field.

He noted that plans were in train to transform the Hoyte’s Village playing field to a mini stadium and use a 10-foot private sector-sponsored container as a skills resource for the community.

“So that the election is really a pause, I suppose, for the country to have a report of progress. But for me it is really a break for a few weeks so that I can campaign and then get back to the work that needs to be done and that is being done in this constituency so as to ensure that the quality of life for all Barbadians could be improved,” said Symmonds. 
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb