Five new candidates were named among 15 announced by the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) this morning in a media conference at the George Street, St Michael headquarters.
The newcomers unveiled were Amoy Gilding-Bourne who will run for Christ Church East;
Nathaniel Wesley Boyce in St Michael South; Shaquani Hunte for St Michael West; Dale Rowe in the City of Bridgetown and Alvin Toppin was selected for St Lucy.
Speaking after the announcement, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne said to loud applause: “The supporters of this party are once again energised.”
Thanking the organisations which facilitated the activities for the Errol Barrow Week of Activities, including the church service in Messiah Street, St John and Memorial Lecture at the Cave Hill Campus, he said that was only part of the evidence that the party was back.
“Last year when we told you amidst the turmoil that we were proceeding with the selection of candidates, we meant it, and today offers the evidence of that excellent work that was done – not by me – but by a candidate selection committee.”
He said all candidates went through the process to the executive committee and later the general council last Thursday for ratification.
“I say that to assure you all of these 15 upstanding Barbadians were subjected to a process of scrutiny and selection within the organs of this party, within the organs of this party that preserves a democratic process,” he added.
Some of those who offered themselves before and are now contesting new ridings, include Senator Andre Worrell who switched from St John to St Michael Central and Dr Dawn Marie Armstrong from St George South to St Michael North.
The candidates and their constituencies are as follows:
• Amoy Gilding-Bourne will run for Christ Church East.
• Andrew Cave will represent Christ Church West.
• Senator Andre Worrell has been named as the candidate for St Michael Central.
• Senator Ryan Walters will contest the St Michael North West seat.
• Pedro Shepherd has been selected for St Michael South East.
• Dr Rolerick Hinds will vie for St Thomas.
• Richard Sealy, a veteran politician, will run in St Michael South Central.
• Nathaniel Wesley Boyce has been chosen for St Michael South.
• Randall Rouse will represent St Joseph.
• Shaquani Hunte has been named the candidate for St Michael West.
• Dale Rowe will run in the City of Bridgetown.
• Alvin Toppin has been selected for St Lucy.
• Neil Marshall will contest the St Philip South seat.
• Dr David Estwick, another veteran politician, will run in St Philip West.
• Dr Dawn Marie Armstrong will represent St Michael North.
Both Dr David Estwick and Dr Dawn Marie Armstrong could not attend the press conference.
The DLP confirmed that 15 more candidates will be named “eventually”. (SAT)
