Friends of Democracy enters election race with 12 candidates, pledging to restore political balance

The newly formed Friends of Democracy (FOD) party formally entered the 2026 general election with 12 candidates on Friday, seeking to establish itself as a credible opposition force and prevent a third one-party Parliament.

FOD candidates paid their election deposits to the Treasury, located in the National Housing Corporation building on Country Road.

“We have 12 candidates and we are more than confident going into this election. We definitely want to represent Barbados and we are definitely ready to serve the people… people first,” FOD president and St Philip West candidate Karina Goodridge told reporters.

She outlined the party’s philosophical direction, describing FOD as “moreso social democratic”, with a strong focus on rebuilding public trust in elected officials.

“In Barbados, we’ve recognised that people have lost confidence in the MPs and we definitely have to build up their confidence,” she said, pointing to road infrastructure, crime and housing as key concerns raised by voters.

“Too many people are complaining about the road infrastructure. Another serious issue is dealing with crime. Apart from crime, it’s dealing with the housing issues. Many people are waiting a long time for housing and no one has answered the call.”

Goodridge also emphasised the importance of a functioning opposition, cautioning against another clean sweep of the House of Assembly’s 30 seats.

“Our main thing is to remind Barbadians, you need a leader of opposition. We cannot have another 30–0 in this country. There’s a big need to have leaders of opposition, and we, the 12, have picked up the mantle.”

FOD general secretary Steve Blackett, the former general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party, said the FOD’s campaign strategy is firmly rooted in political realism, with a focus on securing parliamentary opposition seats.

“We’re going to have 12 meetings altogether, one in each of the constituencies our candidates are running in. We’ll also have four mega meetings and eight national meetings,” he explained.

“Our strategy is predicated on reality, knowing that we’re only running 12 candidates,” Blackett added. “Our principal focus is ensuring that when all the votes are counted, Friends of Democracy has enough seats to form a strong, vibrant and potent opposition.”

He noted that while the party’s aim is opposition, it remains open to any outcome voters may deliver.

“If by any chance the people are so minded that we should secure enough seats to form a minority government, so be it.”

FOD’s candidates also highlighted their individual priorities at the constituency level.

St Philip North candidate Anya Lorde said her background in law has shaped her community focus.

“I work primarily in my legal practice with family, children, domestic violence and the vulnerable,” she said. “My intention is to take the skills that I’ve acquired over the last decade and use those skills to assist families in the community.”

She also pointed to initiatives aimed at youth development through skills-based training using underutilised community spaces.

St Philip South candidate Omar Smith said his priority as the party’s agriculture spokesperson is reducing the cost of living.

“It is too long that we have been suffering under high prices, high imports and high energy prices,” Smith said, adding that improved farming practices could also help address the country’s declining health outcomes.

“With healthy farming practices, I would definitely go about changing the lives of Barbadians wherever possible.”