Incumbent Member of Parliament for St Lucy, Peter Phillips, on Wednesday night delivered an extensive defence of his seven years of representation, telling supporters that while difficulties remained, particularly with water and roads, the constituency was “far ahead” of where it stood when the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) first assumed office.
Addressing a packed, energetic crowd at Checker Hall playing field during the party’s Errol Barrow Day celebrations, Phillips said his stewardship of St Lucy was defined by consistency, persistence and measurable outcomes, rather than rhetoric, as he appealed for renewed support ahead of the February 11 General Election.
“This evening, I stand before you, seven years after we began this journey together and I want to say to you tonight, no matter what those may say, I have worked every single day to ensure that you receive the representation that you truly deserve. We have made great progress and while there is still work to be done, make no mistake about it, we are further ahead than when we first began,” he said.
Reflecting on his history in the constituency, Phillips reminded supporters that his relationship with St Lucy was not without struggle.
“In 2006, when I first came to this constituency and asked you for your vote of confidence, you did not respond in a positive way,” he said. “But in 2018, I kept fighting, because I knew that the people of St Lucy needed a good representative and I trust tonight that I have done that job.”
Phillips said critics were unable to challenge the substance of his record.
“They cannot refute our record. Our record is stellar,” he declared. “So tonight, I want to speak to you about St Lucy over the past seven years because seven years did not take place in 24 years. What we have done in seven years speaks for itself.”
He then outlined a detailed list of completed infrastructure projects across the parish, insisting these were verifiable accomplishments.
“. . . We have delivered Lowlands Road, Beavis Heads Road, Rock Hall Road, Charleston Road. These are not just promises, these are facts. They are facts.”
Community initiatives
Turning to community development initiatives, Phillips cited the establishment of the Promise Project at Mount Poyer and the introduction of an agricultural school at The Hook.
He also pointed to improvements in public services, including the refurbishment of the Bentham’s Post Office and the construction of a new Social Care Services Centre in the same area.
“These are not just words. These are real facilities serving real people,” he told the crowd.
Addressing the long-standing water problems that have affected St Lucy, Phillips acknowledged residents’ frustration and offered an apology, while outlining the scale of work already undertaken.
“Over the past seven years, we have replaced 30 kilometres of water mains across this parish,” he said. “I do apologise for the inconvenience. I must tell you tonight, we apologise.”
However, he rejected claims that the issue originated under the current administration.
“This problem did not begin with the Barbados Labour Party. In 1996, under Owen Arthur, we started a mains replacement programme in St Lucy. When the Government changed, the Democratic Labour Party stopped that programme. We are the party that does the work. These are the facts,” Phillips said.
While defending the record to date, Phillips made it clear that his agenda for St Lucy was far from complete, revealing that additional road works were imminent.
“I am confident tonight that tomorrow, after thorough and transparent processes, we will be engaging a contractor to fix the road in Crab Hill,” he said. “Work will be started. This is not a promise. This is a fact.”
In a deeply personal moment, Phillips spoke openly about the toll the past year had taken on him, revealing that he had lost two brothers.
“I lost two of my biological brothers, both very near and dear to my heart. It was a period of deep grief and pain and indeed I still feel that pain but even in my grief, and even in my sadness, I never turned my back on you. I kept pushing. I kept pushing, because I was elected to serve you.” (CLM)
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