Toni Moore is heading into her first general election even more sure of victory than she was in the November 2021 St George North by-election which she won with almost 67 per cent of the vote.
And her predecessor, Gline Clarke, is just as confident, saying he has no doubt that with the work she has done in the constituency in just over a year, she will keep the seat that has been in Barbados Labour Party (BLP) hands for the last almost three decades.
In an interview after being officially nominated for the January 19 polls, Moore said while she did not have a full term to work, she was pleased she had fostered relationships and was able to execute some of the projects planned for the constituency.
It is on the basis of what she has done so far that she is sure when the votes are counted, she will be returned as MP for the area.
“I think my chances are even better than they were [in the by-election],” she said, noting that she was entering the upcoming polls “more seasoned” after having touched base with more of her constituents since defeating former West Indies cricketer Floyd Reifer 3,154 votes to 1,327.
“There are about two polling districts that we have not covered in the post-2020 campaign canvas. That was definitely our intention but the bell was rung early and we now have the opportunity, during the next two weeks, to make good on that, and I am sure that the will of the people of St George North will be to keep Moore in St George North for the Barbados Labour Party, so we look forward to it.”
Moore added that she was “most proud of” her relationship building in the community.
“All during the 2020 campaign, people of St George North all said repeatedly –whether we were in Ashbury or Newbury or Bridge Cot, Superlative or down in the Glebe, Lower Estate – ‘Gline was a people’s person and we want another people’s person’. And so, building relationships was one of the things that I committed to and that I’ve been proud of. While I’ve not completed going to all areas, the process has started and we are more than 70 per cent there and that is something that I am extremely proud of,” she said.
“One of the things that we have done, whenever opportunities presented themselves we have been able to place a number of young people in employment and that is something that I’m also very proud of,” added Moore.
The trade unionist also pointed to a new pavilion and multipurpose facility at the Glebe and “giving residents of Bridge Cot a road they waited over three decades for”, as among her accomplishments, although acknowledging that there were other roads that were in need of repair across the constituency.
“We will be giving attention to those, systematically, over a next term, and we can only do that if there is a next term,” she said.
“My time here was very short – 20 per cent of what a normal term would be –and I am exceedingly proud to be standing here, in the name of the people of St George North, knowing that a good job has been done so far and knowing that they will honour my commitment to continue to work on their behalf,” Moore added.
Clarke, who represented the constituency for 26 years – from 1994 to 2018 – will be watching from the sidelines for the first time since entering active politics in 1991.
He said he believes Moore “will definitely win the seat” for the BLP once again.
“It’s still a good batting wicket for my successor, Toni,” he said. “I will be around to help her, to guide her; I will do my best. And I’m sure that with this support that she has maintained – she has a number of young people who are helping her and, of course, the older ones are at her side as well – I believe that she has about an 80 per cent chance of winning this seat and continuing this path of growth for the Barbados Labour Party, and the people of St. George North.
“I have no doubt at all that she will win this seat,” Clarke added. “She has thrived within the year. It is true that she has not been able to see everybody but, you know, I believe that she has done yeoman service.”
The former MP, who is now High Commissioner to Canada, was also adamant that the BLP, which has been in power for three and a half years, is still best suited to run Barbados at this time.
“We’re looking forward to ensuring that we continue on a path of growth, a path of social development, and a path of economic prosperity for people. I see that this year could be a new beginning for the Barbados Labour Party, where we show the Barbadian public and the world at large that Barbados is indeed one of the best small island development states in the world,” Clarke added. (DP)
