Rowe says win proves political strength

Newly re-elected St Michael North West Member of Parliament, Neil Rowe hopes that any lingering speculation about the quality of his political leadership will end with his resounding victory at the polls.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, the presiding officer over the counting at the Ellerslie Secondary School revealed that promising Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate Ryan Walters had only amassed 1,072 votes to Rowe’s 1,914.

Although his margin of victory has narrowed slightly compared to the 2018 general election, the successful Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate said the low voter turnout on Wednesday was undoubtedly a factor.

“I wouldn’t consider it losing a bit of ground, but I know because of COVID some people were a bit hesitant to come out during the pandemic to go to the polls. But to God be the glory nevertheless. I am very happy and grateful and I can honestly say that the people of St Michael North West have spoken.

“I am thankful to them, and I can assure them that I will continue the good work that I would have started. I have a lot more to do, and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to carry on the work that I have started within this constituency to touch the lives of the disadvantaged families,” Rowe told reporters.

Political pundits had identified St Michael North West as one of the few seats the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) could win because of Rowe’s perceived minimal impact on the national stage and Walters’ appearance as a solid political foe.

Rowe said he “definitely” believed the resounding victory would put those suggestions to bed, adding that from as far back as 1999 he worked with former BLP representatives and candidates, including Mark Williams, Clyde Mascoll and Gregory Nicholls.

“So, I have been able to learn and understand the constituency. I was able to learn and understand the people, and once you know what you are up against you will know how to manoeuvre and operate accordingly,” Rowe explained.

“All that the people of this constituency want is to see that you are doing positive things for them and not just talking. And the fact that I had the opportunity to construct just over ten brand new houses for disadvantaged families is something that spoke for itself.

“Being able to give people who were using pit toilets the opportunity to know what it feels like to flush a water toilet and to provide them with homes – those are the things that I am passionate about and those are the things that I will continue to do throughout my stewardship as the Member of Parliament for St Michael West,” he added.

Rowe said the focus of his approach to politics focuses on giving people the tools of empowerment rather than mere handouts.

“I am not here to give the people I represent just a fish to feed them for a day, but I am here to teach them how to fish so that they will be able to feed themselves for a lifetime,” he said.

“That is something that I am very passionate about because instead of just giving, I believe in teaching and being able to empower people and I will remain passionate about that, especially when it comes to bettering the people that I serve,” he added. (KS)