St James by-election result highlights DLP decline, voter apathy

The Friends of Democracy political group has suggested that the resounding by-election defeat of Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate Felicia Dujon on Wednesday may be rooted in Ralph Thorne’s decision to rejoin the party.

Chad Blackman of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) won 2 723 votes, or 84 per cent of the 3 231 ballots cast, compared with Dujon’s 468 votes. Her total was 140 votes short of what DLP candidate Charles Worrell secured in the 2022 general election.

In a review of the by-election, Friends of Democracy (FOD) chairman Karina Goodridge pointed out that Dujon’s underperformance “starkly underlines the DLP’s ongoing decline”.

“This outcome cannot be examined in isolation. It is clear that the public controversy and confusion caused by Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne’s abrupt defection from the BLP to the DLP cast a shadow over the party’s credibility. The hurt, mistrust and frustration sparked by Mr Thorne’s political manoeuvring undoubtedly impacted voter confidence and contributed to the poor performance of Ms Dujon in the polls,” Goodridge said in a statement.

Citing the 2022 general election, when Worrell managed 608 votes in the same constituency, the FOD head questioned Thorne’s handling of the recent campaign.

“Under the leadership of Opposition Leader Mr Ralph Thorne, who boldly declared that this by-election would be a referendum on the government, the DLP has suffered an even sharper rejection. Ms Dujon has unintentionally exposed just how little the DLP currently offers the Barbadian public in terms of vision, credibility, and relevance.”

Goodridge, an attorney-at-law, stressed that the people of St James North have spoken, but not in the way the DLP hoped.

“The DLP’s campaign lacked the seriousness and strategic direction expected in a competitive by-election, relying instead on a bit too much mockery and surface-level messaging. Some of the remarks made against their opponent were poorly considered and failed to elevate the discourse and ultimately did little to inspire confidence or connect meaningfully with the electorate,” the group’s chairman declared.

The FOD, which includes dismissed DLP general secretary Steve Blackett, also targeted what Goodridge called strategic generosity in securing support during the by-election.

The attorney said this conclusion was based on the feedback of some residents, “subtly reinforcing the BLP’s presence in the seat”.

She warned that while such tactics may yield short-term electoral gains, “they do little to address the deeper issues of public disillusionment and declining public participation in the democratic process, which continue to threaten the health of our democracy”.

Friends of Democracy said it is committed to revitalising the country’s political discourse and renewing democratic participation in Barbados.

“We believe Barbadians deserve better: better representation, better ideas, and better leadership. Barbadians are watching, and so are we,” she said.

“This by-election, however, revealed more than just a winner. With only 3 231 votes cast out of approximately 8 500 registered voters, the turnout was remarkably low. This signals a worrying trend of voter apathy, and perhaps more tellingly, a growing disconnection between political parties and the public they aim to serve.”

She, however, spared a moment to congratulate Blackman on his victory and acknowledged the participation of Dujon in the race.

The group leader said her entity recognised the confidence placed in him by those who voted and trust that he will serve with diligence and transparency.

“Rest assured,” she pledged, “Friends of Democracy will be holding Mr Blackman and the BLP accountable, not only for the constituency of St James North, but for the governance of Barbados as a whole.” (EJ)