Major parties, new voices clash in St James North contest

The field is now officially set for the May 21 St James North by-election, with four candidates securing nomination on Tuesday in a contest that has attracted major political firepower, fresh voices, and bold promises.

By the close of Nomination Day at the Gordon Greenidge Primary School in Rock Dundo, the battle lines were drawn: the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), and two smaller political movements—the Community Empowerment Party and the Bajan Free Party—will all be represented on the ballot.

The day unfolded with bright party colours, loud fanfare and small moments of quiet determination.

DLP candidate Felicia Dujon was first to file, flanked by Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, party officials including party president Andre Worrell, and a crowd of supporters clad in blue and yellow.

Though small in stature and a first-timer to the local political field, Dujon firmly cast her campaign in urgent national terms, boldly declaring, “We need a stronger voice in Parliament.”

“The Barbados Labour Party already has all the seats—they do not need any more to infringe oppressive laws on the people of Barbados,” she declared.

Describing her nomination as a “humbling experience” she said, “You recognise that you are doing something that is bigger than you and now you’re in the position to make the difference needed to represent the interest of the people and advocate on their behalf.”

Dujon also did not shy away from saying that the people of St James North– which has been a BLP stronghold for several years– had made their request for change known.

“They have been ready for a very long time and when they heard the resignation of their MP they knew what was coming. This is the time to right the wrongs,” she said.

Standing beside his candidate, Thorne added, “This campaign is going to be about the triumph of morality over money, the triumph of humility over hubris, and that is how we intend to go forward.”

The BLP’s contender Chad Blackman arrived next, accompanied by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, and a formidable line-up of Cabinet ministers in a display underscoring the party’s investment in retaining the seat which was vacated last month by long-serving MP Edmund Hinkson.

Though a first-timer to representational politics, Blackman is no stranger to public office, having previously served as a Cabinet minister and senator.

He reported that his time on the ground so far has yielded positive responses from the constituents.

“My time on the ground has given me a level of confidence that has allowed me to hear their voices and see where we now must go not just in the context of a by-election but beyond May 21 because this is really a marathon,” said Blackman, who resigned from both the Senate and as Minister of Educational Transformation ahead of Nomination Day.

“Representation is about ensuring that people can have you at their disposal and ensuring whether you are in Parliament or in the community, you are a voice to ensure you can do what needs to be done.”

Expressing full confidence in the candidate, Prime Minister Mottley said, “If he continues to be as humble, committed, and articulate as he has been, the people of St James North will see in him what the rest of us already know.”

Steffanie Williams, a newcomer to frontline politics, entered the race under the banner of the Community Empowerment Party.

Her nomination, though absent of fanfare, was driven by what she said were deep community ties and a background in youth development and education.

“Most of the constituents I’ve spoken to feel like they’ve been left out,” Williams said. “This isn’t just about winning a seat—it’s about winning the hearts of people and helping them realise they have more to give.”

The most dramatic nomination came from Alex Mitchell, the Bajan Free Party candidate, who secured his place on the ballot with under an hour to spare.

Despite earlier challenges of presenting the required number of nominators, Mitchell was unshaken in his agenda to “bring the hidden truth about Barbados that was never revealed.”

His campaign promises include constructing over 44 000 homes on what he claims is party-owned land and exposing what he alleges to be years of land fraud.

Returning Officer Leonard Walters confirmed that all four candidates met the legal requirements under the Representation of the People Act, including a $250 deposit and support from four nominators drawn from the constituency.

With Nomination Day closed, campaigning now shifts into high gear as voters in St James North head to the polls on May 21.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb