(Barbados Advocate) DEMS now, DEMS again! That was the refrain which sounded across the island last night as the reigning Democratic Labour Party (DLP) resisted a serious challenge from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to retain power with a 16-13 advantage with a recount taking place up to press time in the St. Michael South East constituency.
The unpredictability of the Barbadian electorate was clearly visible the result as several Ministers in the DLP Administration lost their seats. Former Minister of Labour and Social Security, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, lost her battle with newcomer Dwight Sutherland in St. George South. Former Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson, lost to Kerrie Symmonds in St. James Central, while former Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Lands, Patrick Todd, lost to Col. Jeffrey Bostic. Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Kenny Best lost his rematch for the St. Michael East seat with Trevor Prescod. Former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Senator Irene Sandiford Garner lost again to George Payne in St. Andrew.
Prime Minister-elect Freundel Stuart, who trounced challenger Noel Lynch in St. Michael South in speaking to the party faithful and the country, that the campaign was over. “We are here tonight celebrating because this organisation over the past five years touched actual lives by its policies and its programmes, and the people of Barbados. The population responded and that it why we are here tonight. I want to thank you for your support during the recent campaign which made the experience so great for me and the candidates”.
The Prime Minister-elect also insisted that the ruling party had to deal with difficult problems but had done so honestly and efficiently. “We are not governing in easy circumstances. We had to govern within the context of the worst recession which the world had ever seen and those who stood in judgement over us and who chose to ignore that fact allowed their stingy prejudices to get the better of them. I always knew that the right thinking Barbadians to over a rebuff to this. The general election is over and we have to embark on the process of governing again”.
The Government retained most of the St. Michael Seats and dominated in Christ Church and St. Philip.