Young DLP candidate launches youth-focused initiative in City

A political newcomer is hoping to shake up the electoral race for The City of Bridgetown with a bold youth empowerment programme aimed at channelling voters’ frustrations into positive action.

Democratic Labour Party candidate Dale Rowe has unveiled his “MAD” (Making a Difference) initiative, targeting young voters who he claims are “mad and fed up” with the current government.

At 32, Rowe is among the youngest candidates introduced by the party so far, and he is confident that his flagship programme, “MAD” (Making a Difference), will resonate with young voters who, according to him, are frustrated with the current state of the nation.

“Young people are mad and fed up with the government. They’re mad and fed up with everything that’s going on in the country,” Rowe said in an interview with Barbados TODAY. “So, I’m turning that frustration into action. MAD stands for Making a Difference, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

The initiative, which will kick off at Wesley Hall Primary School before expanding to secondary schools, focuses on youth ages 15 and older with programmes on etiquette, money management, insurance, goal-setting, and personal development.

Rowe explained that the programme is designed to give young people the tools to succeed, following the philosophy of DLP founder Errol Barrow.

“Our founding father’s vision was to teach people to fish rather than just give them fish. With MAD, we’re equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to take control of their future,” he said.

Rowe told Barbados TODAY that he is no stranger to community engagement, having already launched several programmes in The City and beyond.

He shared that since 2022, he has led back-to-school drives, haircut initiatives, and a Christmas toy drive that distributed 200 toys to children in need.

“On Christmas morning, we drove through The City with trucks, skaters, and toys—remote-controlled cars, Barbie dolls, you name it. It was a joyful moment for the community,” he said.

As part of his campaign, Rowe is also preparing to roll out several additional programmes targeting key issues in the constituency, though he prefers to keep the specifics under wraps for now.

“I believe in action over promises. When the programmes are ready, I’ll execute them first and let the results speak for themselves,” he said.

Acknowledging that his status as a political newcomer could pose challenges, he expressed confidence that his track record and grassroots approach will resonate with voters in the city, which has long been a political and economic hub.

“My journey didn’t just start with this election. I’ve been working in communities across Barbados for years, building relationships and showing that I care. Now, I’m bringing that same energy and dedication to The City of Bridgetown,” he said.

Rowe’s candidacy comes as the DLP continues to highlight a balance between youthful energy and experienced leadership in its slate of candidates.

“We need people with fresh ideas and the drive to implement them,” Rowe said, noting that he is optimistic about his chances of returning the keys of The City to the DLP.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb