Dwight Sutherland’s resignation from Cabinet has triggered debate and uncertainty across the St George South constituency he represents, with some questioning the reasons behind his departure from the Ministry of Housing and others defending his record as a community-focused MP.
While Prime Minister Mia Mottley said on Wednesday that Sutherland stepped down for “personal reasons”, many constituents told Barbados TODAY the announcement came without warning and has since sparked speculation, uncertainty, and in some cases, disappointment.
“We still don’t know why he resigned. The news says personal reasons, but I’d like to know the real reason,” said a woman in Ellerton, who was part of a group of residents saying that “word on the street” and online chatter suggested the resignation may not have been voluntary.
“You wake up and hear your MP resign from a ministry, it just feels sudden,” another woman remarked.
Another resident, Patrick Moore, said he was disappointed with the decision: “That’s not nice. You don’t put your hands to the plough and take it back. Maybe he was stressed… but now I’m not going to vote. That’s not fair.”
Constituent Trichele Haynes (SM)
Residents told Barbados TODAY that it is unlikely resigning was an easy or voluntary step, painting a picture of a reliable public servant.
They were quick to defend the long-serving MP, describing him as approachable and deeply embedded in the community.
Trichele Haynes, of Walker’s Road, said Sutherland was more than just a politician: “He’s more like part of the community than a minister. Anytime you want something, you can message him on WhatsApp, he’ll always answer, no matter where he is.”
She credited him with helping her rebuild her home and said she believes he’ll continue to work for the people despite no longer holding a ministerial post: “He has a good heart. He’ll still get things done regardless of [not] having a portfolio. There can never be another Dwight Sutherland.”
Sutherland, who has held the seat since 2008, now returns to the backbench. As he resumes his role without ministerial office, residents remain divided, some confident he will continue to serve effectively, others uncertain what the change means for the future of the constituency.
“When an MP has a ministry, they have more power to get things done…. But I still think he’ll try his best.”
But others expressed disappointment that he may not have used his former post to bring development to the area.
“He didn’t really utilise the ministry well as MP for this area,” said Peter Boyce of Walker’s Road. “We’re still without development where housing is concerned. Some people don’t get nothing done, even when they have a ministry, so we’ll just have to wait and see now.”
Others also expressed frustration over unmet expectations, further questioning whether Sutherland delivered.
“When people go to him about housing, he’d tell you come back, then you can’t find he,” one woman said. “But it still came as a shock to hear he resigned.” (SM)
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