Acting president of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Andre Worrell says he will be a voice for the people, speaking out on the issues affecting Barbadians when he takes up his role in the Senate next month.
Worrell, 45, was sworn in at State House on Thursday morning, replacing attorney Tricia Watson, who was removed by Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne during last weekend’s 69th Annual Conference.
Worrell previously served as a Senator in the administration of late former Prime Minister David Thompson and will join Ryan Walters.
“I’ve served in the Senate for eight years before, so I’m accustomed to participating in robust debate. So that is where I will join with Ryan’s voice and champion the cause. The Honourable Opposition Leader will do it from the Lower House and we will take up the fight in the Upper House,” he said.
During the annual conference, he was named spokesperson for health in the newly announced shadow cabinet and said the public will “definitely hear my voice with regard to the issues at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital”.
Meanwhile Thorne defended the pick, saying it was an indication of Worrell’s leadership, “his courage, his character, his integrity”.
“And he has been here before, so he brings to the office great experience and we look forward to his contribution. He’s acting president of this party. I want to tell you that over the last three months, this young man has, in spite of his youth, been one of the people that has rescued this party.
“You know what we’ve gone through, but I don’t want to convey that this is a reward for anything that he has done. This is recognition of the leadership that Senator Worrell can and is giving in this party. He has given it before in the Senate, as I said, and he has come back and he will give it again.” (SAT)
