THE Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) is prepared for anything the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) throws at it in the new year, including a general election.
Last night, Leader of the Opposition Owen Arthur told a packed audience at The Lodge School in St John, the BLP was ready to answer the call and face the people.
“While there may be some talk of a by-election, as part of our planning we must be prepared for anything the Democratic Labour Party throws at us,” Arthur said at a meeting that marked the official endorsement of businessman Hudson Griffith as the candidate for the St John seat vacated by the late Prime Minister David Thompson last October 23.
Arthur, 61, said that if there were a by-election, his party would conduct the campaign the BLP?way, emphasising “there will be no tearing down and no abuse” on the platform.
The former Prime Minister also offically announced the appointment of former Attorney General Dale Marshall as his deputy.
Arthur said Marshall, who turned 47 last month, would have a bigger role to play in future, particularly in economic matters.
Before an audience that included former Cabinet ministers Noel Lynch and Jerome Walcott, and candidates Santia Bradshaw and Ian Gooding-Edghill, Arthur said his role was not only to hold the party together but to nurture young BLP people of the future.
Arthur welcomed the 45-year-old Griffith, a former student of The Lodge, to the BLP?family, adding that there was a determination in the former national volleyball player that he deeply respected.
“There is nothing more important in representing people in politics than character and he has that quality. The BLP is blessed to have a son of two missionaries. It is fitting that a man who has served many in this party should be given the opportunity to show what he is capable of,” said Arthur, who added that the party had no burden of excessive expectations in the constituency.
To loud cheers, Griffith, who likened himself to “a little David with a sling”, said the St John seat “can be brought home”.
“I have overcome many challenges in my life, and I am up for it. We need representation and there are things to be done in St John,” said Griffith, who had the support in the audience of his parents along with his wife Maria.
Former Cabinet minister Delisle Bradshaw, a product of St John, said it was important the BLP made a strong showing in any forthcoming battle.
“Forget what happened at our [annual] conference. This is our party. We have to make a strong showing. We should not allow the Dems to get as [many] votes as Thompson did,” he said.
Bradshaw acknowledged that the BLP may have erred over the years in not ensuring that candidates returned to the constituency for a second battle, adding that introducing new faces all the time had not helped the party’s cause. (MK)