Friends of Democracy opens St James campaign office

The fledgling Friends of Democracy (FOD) expanded its presence in St James a week ahead of the general election, officially opening a new branch that party officials said would bring residents closer to candidates and strengthen their grassroots outreach.

The office, on Thorpes Main Road, was officially opened on Thursday during a brief ceremony attended by FOD candidates Matthew Thorne (St James South), Steffanie Williams (St James North), and Kerry Thomas (St James Central).

Addressing supporters, Thorne described the opening as a significant milestone for both the party and the residents of St James.

“This is a really special day for the Friends of Democracy and a very special day for Kerry, Stephanie, and myself, and an even more special day for the residents of St James North, St James Central, and St James South,” Thorne said.

The new office symbolised the type of representation the party believes in, centred on service and community engagement, he said.

“Today marks something special. It marks the type of representation that we have been giving and want to continue to give to our communities, because we recognise that this mission, this calling, this life, this walk is about service… service to people and giving them visibility and representation.”

Thorne added that the office would serve as a space where residents could bring their ideas, challenges, and concerns.

“In some ways this will be their space, their space where they can come to us with ideas, with challenges, with concerns, and we just want to thank each and every person that is here today,” he said.

“The three of us are excited to see where this goes from here as we do it together as a family and as friends – as the Friends of Democracy.”

Thorne told Barbados TODAY that canvassing across the parish had been demanding but rewarding, particularly for a party that has only been established for several months.

“Canvassing has been intense, it has been rewarding. It has been a very unique experience. It’s been going good because we’ve had the opportunity to interact with a wide cross section of residents,” he said.

He noted that the team has canvassed about half of their constituencies so far: “As a new party with new faces, we haven’t been established for about seven or eight months, so a lot of it is intrigue.”

He suggested that growing public frustration with traditional political parties has created space for alternatives.

He said: “I think that comes from persons being fed up. There’s just this back and forth between the established parties, and they’ve gotten so big they’re not servicing the needs of the people the way that they should.

“So persons are looking to us, I think, with a measure of hope, a measure of excitement, and some level of anticipation that here there may be a chance for something different, something new.”

Thorne also framed the party’s campaign as a historic opportunity.

“For the first time in Barbados’ history, as you make history with Friends of Democracy, I think that people are very receptive and positive.”

St James North candidate Steffanie Williams said she is focused on reaching out to more persons in her constituency during the final week leading up to Wednesday’s general election.

“For this final week, I plan to get in as much canvassing as I can, speak to as many persons as I can, and continue to push the message,” Williams said.

She also urged Barbadians to participate in the electoral process, despite what she described as widespread voter apathy.

“We cannot have another [one-party parliament] in Barbados, and despite the fact that I understand the voter apathy, I’m encouraging all Barbadians to come out and vote.”