St James North voters want action, not pledges, ahead of by-election

Voters in St James North have told Barbados TODAY they have grown weary of politicians who appear only during election campaigns and called for genuine engagement and lasting economic relief as the constituency prepares for next week’s by-election.

As political parties make their pitch to voters in the short campaign, several voters appeared indifferent to the upcoming poll, but were of one voice in their message to the candidates: winning support on the ground will take more than promises; it will take presence and proof.

There are four confirmed candidates for the May 21 by-election to replace retired parliamentarian Edmund Hinkson: Felicia Dujon of the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), whose campaign centres on restoring moral leadership and supporting the most vulnerable, including farmers, fisherfolk and families with special needs, is challenging Chad Blackman of the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), who is championing youth-focused technology initiatives such as a constituency tech hub, alongside agricultural co-operatives to boost food security and income.

Also in the race are independent candidates Steffanie Williams of the Community Empowerment Party, a literacy advocate promising to elevate underserved voices through community-driven programmes and children’s support services; and Alex Mitchell of the Bajan Free Party, whose platform is based on land justice, anti-corruption, and the construction of more than 44,000 affordable homes on what he claims is party-owned land.

As a Barbados TODAY team travelled through the constituency, the mood on the ground suggested that while candidates are promising progress, many voters were waiting to see whether those promises will finally translate into meaningful change.

One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Democratic Labour Party in particular needed to rebuild trust at the grassroots level.

“The DLP has to really get their act together, and they really have to come out in the constituencies more regularly, let people get to know them,” he said. “You can’t really come out around election time. You have to come out long before election time, and spend time with the people.”

He further pointed to the party’s ongoing internal struggles as another hurdle, noting: “The in-fighting-that’s what’s bringing down the DLP, and they ain’t really got nobody to bring it back up.”

Commenting on the DLP’s Dujon, he said that despite claims of her fervent canvassing efforts, she has yet to make an impression in the constituency.

He said: “Well, from what I’m hearing, not much people know about her. I ain’t seen her yet. You’re seeing Chad Blackman all over the place; you’re not seeing she. All of that can put people against you, and more favour for Chad Blackman because you’re seeing Chad Blackman more regularly. You’re seeing the BLP up and down. You’re not seeing the DLP.”

The voter also dismissed the chances of the two independent candidates, Mitchell and Williams: “They don’t stand a chance. They don’t stand a chance at all.”

Even among those who expressed some hope in the BLP’s Blackman, the mood was tempered with caution.

“They promise to do a lot,” said one voter. “We had Hinkson, never do nothing. But this man Chad [Blackman] promising a lot, so we just have to wait and see if this will be fulfilled. You know how politicians work – there are promises when the election coming, and when election done, there is no more.”

That sense of caution was echoed by other voices in the constituency, who repeatedly said they were tired of empty pledges and political appearances that disappear after election day.

“People saying they tired of the promises,” one voter told Barbados TODAY. “We want real change-and we want it now.”

For small farmer Allan Jemmott, the focus is not on party politics, but on economic opportunity, particularly in agriculture and job creation.

“Most small farmers just want land to do agriculture or animal farming. And there’s not enough around here,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people that are not working here on the island too, like in this general area, and they need to provide jobs for the younger generation. A lot of people here do not have any work.”

While the government has invested in fisheries infrastructure in the north, particularly the redeveloped Millie Ifill Fish Market in Weston in the constituency, Jemmott believes the priority must now shift to providing land, livestock and other agricultural tools to stimulate rural productivity.

“Provide land for somebody to grow some cabbage, or do some cattle rearing, or some chickens or something. It will stimulate the economy,” he said.

He also tied the lack of jobs and land access to rising social challenges: “A lot of crime on the island because a lot of people ain’t working. It’s just a systematic thing.”

Asked if he believes the by-election could be a turning point, Jemmott replied: “It will be a good time for the by-election-and immediate change.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb