St George North voters give mixed marks to MP Moore

With speculation mounting about an early general election, voters in St George North have given their first-term MP, Toni Moore, generally positive reviews while voicing mounting frustration over the state of the constituency’s roads.

During a visit to the central parish on Tuesday, the mood on the ground appeared largely favourable towards Moore, the general secretary of the Barbados Workers Union, who is currently serving her first term. 

While many residents acknowledged efforts to address housing and social needs, several said deteriorating roads and limited engagement from the MP were issues that could not be ignored.

Greta, a Flat Rock resident, told Barbados TODAY that despite Moore not holding a ministerial portfolio, tangible improvements had been made in the area, particularly with housing assistance and repairs.

“Without being a minister, she got us a little help… she should get back in,” Greta said. “As long as you’re in government, everybody wants something… a job, a house, a road.”

She pointed to several homes in the community that were repaired or rebuilt with government assistance over the past two years, including one neighbouring structure that had been in disrepair since her childhood.

“That house was falling apart for years. People lived in it, but it started to separate. Now the government building it,” she said. “This isn’t the only one. I know more than one house in St George that get done, and she is not a minister.”

But Greta stressed that road conditions in Flat Rock and the surrounding areas remained a serious concern, blaming heavy trucks and SUVs for worsening the damage.

“If you stand here long enough, you’ll see eight or ten massive trucks pass through,” she said. “Every day they mashing up the road. This was never so.”

Walking further into Flat Rock, a long-time male resident relaxing with friends at a rum shop, enjoying a drink away from the heat of the sun, said he had lived in the area for more than 30 years and felt a strong sense of disconnect from politicians.

“I don’t want to see a politician or a preacher… all of them does tell lies,” he said. “I want to see the normal man like me and you.”

He complained bitterly about pothole-ridden roads near Providence Primary and Secondary School, saying the condition of the roadway was damaging his vehicle.

“Every minute I dropping into a hole. I fixing left side, right side [of his car], everything. That is not acceptable,” he said.

A female resident from Bourne Village echoed concerns about representation, saying she had decided not to vote.

“I will not be voting. I don’t see the MP,” she said, expressing anger over not receiving a government assistance package for seniors. “I is 67. It should be for everybody, not certain people.”

In contrast, another senior said that while there was much that needed to be done in the area, he felt Moore had performed fairly well during her tenure.

“I think she’s doing all right,” he said. “I believe she will retain her seat.”