‘Unanimous’ selection of Blackman for St James North by-election

The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has officially selected Minister of Educational Transformation Senator Chad Blackman as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in St James North, following the formal resignation of MP Edmund Hinkson.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley made the announcement on Wednesday night during a press conference at party headquarters, confirming that the party’s highest arm, the National Council,had given its unanimous backing to 42-year-old Blackman.

The House of Assembly met on Thursday to validate Hinkson’s resignation setting the stage for the by-election. Contrary to what had been alleged by Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, Prime Minister Mottley said the candidate selection process has been in strict adherence to the party’s constitution and parliamentary standing orders.

“This party has a long and proud tradition of doing its business in accordance with its constitution,” Mottley stated, adding that the decision on the candidate followed extensive consultation.

Blackman, who previously served as Barbados’ ambassador to Geneva and held a senior consultancy role with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), overseeing labour issues across the Americas, returned to Barbados to join the Cabinet. Earlier this year, he was appointed Minister of Educational Transformation. Mottley praised his passion and commitment to public service and said he was chosen without a single objection from the council.

“It was super-unanimous, if there is such a thing, for Mr Chad Blackman to be the candidate for the Barbados Labour Party, representing the party in the constituency of Saint James North once a vacancy is declared tomorrow morning,” she said.

The decision followed prior meetings between senior party leadership and the St James North constituency branch, where Blackman reportedly received full support.

The prime minister also paid tribute to the outgoing MP, Hinkson, thanking him for 12 years of parliamentary service and decades of community work with organisations such as the Lions Club, Salvation Army, and St John Ambulance Brigade. She commended his long-standing advocacy for persons with disabilities and said he had served with dignity and integrity.

“I also want to thank you for allowing this party to do its business in a dignified manner. And we take these things for granted, but in a country where the other political party has not been able to resolve its business in a dignified manner, to give a calm assurance to the public of Barbados, it is even all the more important that we as a political party . . . can so do,” she said.

Mottley emphasised that although the seat has historically favoured the BLP – losing only once in 1986 – nothing would be taken for granted in the by-election.

“I have always said that every ballot box is open with zero ballots in it, and therefore one has to go there and work hard and earn the trust of the people who you want to represent. And I have every confidence that this young man will do all that he has to do to earn that confidence,” she said.

Hinkson also fully endorsed Senator Blackman’s candidacy, declaring his full confidence and full support.

Senator Blackman, who has been a member of the BLP since the age of 18, said he was “eternally humbled to take over from Edmund in St James North” and pledged his dedication to the people of St James North.

A date for the by-election is yet to be announced, but it must be held within 90 days.

However, Prime Minister Mottley confirmed that Senator Blackman will be required to resign from his position in the Senate and her Cabinet in order to be the BLP’s standard bearer in the poll.

(BT)