Walters launches ‘people-focused’ campaign, opens St Michael North West office

The Democratic Labour Party’s campaign in St Michael North West officially moved into full gear on Errol Barrow Day, as candidate Ryan Walters opened his constituency office earlier than planned and used the moment to launch what he described as a people-centred push to reconnect with residents.

The location of the office is the bottom of Free Hill, upstairs Total Laundry. Walters said the timing of the event was deliberately changed in response to the election call.

“We officially opened the constituency office yesterday morning,” he explained. “It was originally planned for this Sunday, coming before the general election was announced by the Prime Minister, so we moved up the opening of the office to Errol Barrow Day.”

He said the opening was more than symbolic, marking the formal start of the Democratic Labour Party’s election drive in the constituency.

“And we use it also as an opportunity to launch our campaign for the election cycle,” he said, adding, “We are ready to regain this constituency of St Michael North West.”

That preparation had been ongoing over the last three months before the announcement of the poll, he said, with recent weeks focused on sharpening the campaign’s outreach.

At the heart of the campaign, he stressed, is direct engagement with residents rather than flashy promises. He said the strategy would be straightforward and rooted in presence.

“Well, the campaign is going to be very simple,” Walters said. “It’s going to try to meet those persons that we have not met before and, more importantly, try to visit, revisit those that we have.”

He noted that he and his team have already spent significant time on the ground and intend to build on those relationships.

“We’ve been in the constituency working for quite some time, so we’ve met many people, and we want to see them more, see them again,” he said. “We just want to continue to connect with residents as well as lay out our plans for the constituency.”

According to Walters, those conversations have revealed deep frustration among residents, particularly around issues that have lingered without resolution.

“The number of burning issues that need to be resolved, lack of representation is clear when you walk around the constituency,” he said. “Visually and also when you talk to residents about some of the issues that they want resolved, and long-standing issues in some instances.”

He said those realities shaped a manifesto that is already completed and firmly centred on people rather than abstract policies.

“So really our manifesto is already complete. We have a plan for the constituency that is people centred, focused on people,” he said.

Walters, a St Michael North West native, experienced financial executive and community advocate, said he aims is to bring economic insight and steady leadership to Barbados.

He highlighted demographics as a key driver of that focus, pointing to the large proportion of older residents in St Michael North West.

“Specifically our youth and our elderly, because in the constituency over 50 per cent of the constituents are over the age of 55 years old,” Walters said. “We want to be able to take care of our elderly and we also want to be able to put our youth in a position that they can advance and be meaningful and productive citizens in the country.”

Asked about the wider political climate, Walters said his attention remains firmly on the constituency and the concerns being raised on doorsteps.

“My focus is on my campaign and the residents of St Michael North West,” he said. “The people of Barbados already are aware and feeling the pain of what the BLP government is doing and has done to them over the last seven years.”

While acknowledging those sentiments, he said he was determined to keep his message centred on solutions rather than repetition.

“I don’t, I would reiterate those issues, but I will focus on the solutions that I will bring to the constituency,” he said. “I will speak to the residents directly, focus on their needs and focus on solving their issues. That is what I’m here for.”

St Michael North West has historically been a DLP stronghold, held by the party for seven consecutive general elections until 2018, when Neil Rowe captured the seat for the Barbados Labour Party. Rowe is expected to defend the seat, while Friends of Democracy candidate Ricardo Williams has also announced his intention to contest.