Stalwart political writer Albert Brandford dies

The distinguished political journalist Albert Brandford has died, aged 74, ending a career in Barbadian and regional media as a fearless, no-holds-barred observer of politics and politicians for more than half a century.

He died at his Christ Church home on Sunday after a brief illness, according to relatives.

After entering journalism as a reporter at the Barbados Advocate upon leaving The Lodge School, Brandford went on to the Barbados-based Caribbean News Agency (CANA), before joining the Nation Publishing Co. Limited, where he established himself as a leading political correspondent. He specialised in independent analysis of Barbadian politics, earning recognition as Political Journalist of the Year from the then Barbados Association of Journalists for his incisive writing on the political landscape.

After his retirement he returned to the Nation as an editor until shortly before his death.

Brandford covered parliamentary proceedings and political developments with a reputation for both skill and fearlessness, as noted by peers who hailed him as one of the island’s parliamentary mavens, along with predecessors Joe Brome and Manny Martindale. 

His columns, such as “Purely Political” and pieces critiquing “yard fowl politics”, the culture of rewarding partisan supporters and punishing critics. Colleagues remembered Brandford’s fearless, objective commentary on governance and elections, among them Tim Slinger who recalled a distinguished tenure that informed and educated readers.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, often a subject of Brandford’s incisive pen, saluted him as a consummate member of the Fourth Estate whose “steady and consummate voice” held power to account through “hard-hitting columns that made him compulsory reading for any politician and keen student of politics.”

Mottley said: “On behalf of our nation, I thank him for his commitment to Barbados’ post independence development in this critical sphere, that is absolutely essential for a vibrant and healthy democracy.”

His scrutiny of the workings of Parliament from the gallery of the House of Assembly brought him into direct conflict with Speaker Burton Hinds in August 1978, who once had Brandford banned from the chamber “for life” after a controversial confrontation over his reporting.

Brandford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science from Howard University, Washington DC, in 1989, under its University Without Walls two-year programme that recognised the work of experienced professionals. For his thesis, he wrote a history of Barbadian newspapers dating back to the 18th century.

Brandford is survived by four sisters Felicia, Margaret, Esther and Delores. (BT)