Blackman takes 84 per cent of vote in St James North

Chad Blackman will be sworn in on Thursday as the new Member of Parliament for St James North after securing a commanding victory in Wednesday’s by-election, winning 84 per cent of the vote.

Blackman, representing the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), received 2 723 votes out of 3 231 ballots cast, decisively outpacing his closest rival, Felicia Dujon of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), who garnered 468 votes. Steffanie Williams of the Community Empowerment Party and Alex Mitchell of the Bajan Free Party trailed with 21 and seven votes, respectively, while 12 ballots were spoilt. There were just over 8 500 people registered to vote in the constituency, which put voter turnout at around 38 per cent.

Loud cheers erupted at the Gordon Greenidge Primary School counting centre and at Blackman’s constituency office, where hundreds of supporters gathered to watch the results broadcast on large screens.

The outcome continues the BLP’s dominance in St James North, a seat the party has held in every election since its creation in 1981—except for one contest in 1986.

Speaking after his victory, Blackman said it was time to deliver on the promises he made during the campaign.

“I see this, yes, as a victory, but now the real hard work begins. I made a lot of commitments to the people of St James North and, of course, the people of Barbados, and it’s really now to get on to the business of work,” he said.

“Knowing our prime minister, once sworn in, there’s no room for taking a break off. So even though it’s a marriage, there’s no honeymoon and therefore, tomorrow starts, of course, work . . . . For example, even on Friday afternoon, I’ll have my first constituency clinic for the people of St James North to be able to come and say what they have to say, their issues, etcetera. Why? As I said, things must now go into motion. But this is a long journey and this is a commitment for me to ensure that I can give my best to the people of this constituency as long as I have breath.”

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former MP Edmund Hinkson last month. Blackman thanked Hinkson for his support and guidance throughout the process, beginning with his introduction to the constituents of St James North.

Prime Minister Mottley, who arrived at the counting centre alongside Blackman and several Cabinet ministers, described the first-time candidate’s performance as extraordinary.

“It was not the Barbados Labour Party who first asserted that this was a referendum on the government’s performance. It was the Democratic Labour Party who, night after night, asserted that. And the people of St James North have spoken resoundingly, not just in favour of Chad, but Chad as the representative of the Barbados Labour Party in this constituency,” she said.

She acknowledged her government’s imperfections but warned against what she described as “the politics of grievance and constant complaint.”

“Don’t get me wrong, an opposition has a right to make criticisms of the government, but when all you do is criticise, attack, vilify, and in many instances, border [on] libel and defamation, then you have to begin to ask yourself, ‘are you really listening to the people?’” 

Blackman’s victory not only maintained the BLP’s stronghold in St James North but also represented an increase in both raw votes and the percentage share compared to his predecessor. 

Hinkson won 2 536 votes out of 3 144 in the 2022 general election, securing 80.7 per cent of the vote. Blackman’s 2 723 votes out of 3 231 cast in the by-election amount to approximately 84.3 per cent of the total, reflecting a stronger mandate and higher turnout.

Dujon’s 468 votes were notably fewer than the 608 votes received by the DLP candidate, Charles Worrell, in the 2022 general election.

Reflecting on the result, Blackman said the win felt “a bit unreal”.

“I must tell you I’ve had many achievements in life, but this by far is the most humbling, because to serve people is one thing, but to be able to persuade them that you are the person that can be their representative and they got up and elected you, I can’t express the words,” he said.

“Persons were saying to me, ‘Chad, you got this in the bag’. As the prime minister always said, you ain’t got it in the bag till you place those votes in the ballot box. And to see people coming to the polls — young persons, first-time voters — allowed for me to know people have confidence in you. But, again, when people put confidence in you, you have to deliver. And as I said, whilst this is very rewarding it’s also sobering because it means the expectation is high and I have to deliver for the people.” (EJ)