MP Corey Lane announces decision not to seek re-election

Almost a year after resigning as a government minister, Member of Parliament Corey Lane has announced that he will not contest the next general election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the MP for the City of Bridgetown said he made the difficult decision after long reflection, prayer, and open, honest conversations.

“…This is not a statement that I make with a heavy heart because the only way that I would have ever even considered stepping down from representing you in the House of Assembly was because I knew that our leader is someone who shares my passion, my love and my uncompromising commitment to you the people of Bridgetown, and she and I are both confident that the branch will seek out someone who would be ready, willing and able to take my place.”

“I would not be making this statement if I was not confident that we will find a person who is capable of service to our nation, this branch and my people in the City of Bridgetown.”

Lane resigned as a government minister in February last year, at which time he was serving as Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility for crime prevention. He said then that the decision was taken for personal reasons, including a desire to spend more time with his family.

In his statement on Saturday, the MP delivered a direct message to his constituents, describing the experience as deeply meaningful.

“Representing you has been the greatest honour of my life”, he said, adding that the gift and honour had sustained him throughout his time in office.

“We often hear people talk about a gift that keeps on giving. Well, from that first day, your gifts to me have never stopped. Whether it was the way I was welcomed into homes, offered a plate of food like I was part of the family, because you know when a Bajan sits you down at their table and offers you a plate of food, you are now family, you have not stopped gifting me. But perhaps the greatest gift of all has been the constant trust you placed and continue to place in me, and for that, I cannot thank you enough.

“Because of your trust and support, I have not only worked hard to represent you both in and outside of Parliament, I have also strived to remain honest and transparent with you, as I promised I would be, when we first met.”

Lane first contested the 2022 general election on the Barbados Labour Party ticket and won the City of Bridgetown seat.

Before entering Parliament, he served as a special adviser to the Prime Minister on poverty alleviation and the Sustainable Development Goals.  (BT)