The internal race is heating up in St Thomas as three contenders seek the Barbados Labour Party’s nomination ahead of the December 7 vote at the Lester Vaughan School, marking what insiders say is the most vigorously contested internal battle the constituency has seen in decades.
With long-serving Member of Parliament Cynthia Forde retiring, attorneys-at-law Anderson “Andy” Yearwood, political scientist Dr William Chandler and Senator Gregory Nicholls are contesting the nomination.
Yearwood, who grew up in Edghill Terrace and lived for more than 30 years in the parish, said his decision to step forward was grounded in a lifelong connection to the constituency and years of service through the BLP.
“My story really begins in St Thomas. I’ve lived here for over 30 years of my life and in that time I’ve been able to witness the representation of the Barbados Labour Party first-hand. We’ve had a lot of good days and a lot of good representatives and I’ve been shaped by that entire experience,” he said.
Yearwood, who is also an accountant, said his professional skills allow him to contribute meaningfully to residents outside of traditional political activity.
“As an attorney, I’ve been able to provide legal services to people in the community for free, writing letters, drafting documents, even representing some of them in court,” he noted.
He pointed out that his work in the constituency did not begin with the election but involved a soccerama, a clean-up of kiosks and beautifying areas.
Yearwood said his slogan “BLP St Thomas: Traditions, New Vision” reflects his intention to honour the legacy set by past MPs, including Forde, Tom Adams and Sir David Simmons.
“I have embraced the legacy. This is not about stepping into anyone’s shoes or taking fresh guard. It is not a new beginning, it is an evolution of what has come before. I’m not looking to tear down anything,” he said.
On whether Forde endorsed him, he made it clear there is no such commitment.
Blessing
“When I first considered offering myself, I spoke to her to ask if she would be against it. She said she wasn’t supporting any candidate and that I was free to go and let the people decide. That’s always been her position.”
Meanwhile, Chandler said his candidacy began after residents approached him earlier this year asking him to offer himself. He sought Forde’s blessing before beginning his canvass.
“I want to be very clear: I have her blessing to canvass the constituency. It is not an endorsement,” he stressed.
“I asked permission to walk in her constituency because she is still the sitting MP and she told me that I have her blessing to go ahead.”
Chandler said his canvassing efforts since July have taken him across almost every major district.
“I’ve been walking everywhere and wherever I went, I asked people ‘Have you seen the other people?’ And the answer was no. For many people, this was the first time they had seen anyone, and I was that person.”
Infrastructural gaps
Chandler outlined a development plan for St Thomas, which he described as both urgent and long-term.
“We need St Thomas to be resilient regardless of which [party] is in power. That means creating a community development corporation made up of respected residents that can monitor public services, support implementation of projects and make sure St Thomas does not get left behind,” he said.
He added that the constituency suffers from infrastructural gaps that cannot be addressed in isolation.
“You cannot get around the road situation. We need short-term, mediumterm and long-term plans for roads and utilities. It’s not just roads, many areas don’t have bus shelters. Elderly people, young people, workers, they need somewhere to stand when the sun is hot or the rain is falling,” he said.
“We also have deep, open gutters that people can fall into. We have to start covering them but it must be done in a coordinated way with water, electricity, fibre, everything.”
He also pointed to tenantry land issues, special concerns in Allen View due to its proximity to Harrison’s Cave and his proposal for “roving constituency services” to reach residents more easily.
“St Thomas is a parish, not just a constituency, so expecting people to travel too far to one office is not ideal. We need to bring the services to them.”
Chandler said he was already working on bringing economic activity to a section of the constituency and that the response from residents has been “overwhelming”.
Earlier this month, Nicholls officially threw his hat into the ring for the nomination, stating in an interview that while others were now coming out of the woodwork, he was doing the legwork for the last two years. (CLM)
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