Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne is staying tight-lipped about whether he will contest the next General Election in a different constituency, even as speculation grows about a possible shift from his current seat in Christ Church South.
He said residents in four different constituencies had asked him to consider running, and made it clear that his current constituents will be the first to know if any change is on the horizon.
“Right now I’m the representative for Christ Church South and at this point it would be indelicate for me to make any firm statement without first going to the people in Christ Church South and saying to them what the party wishes me to do,” the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) political leader told the Saturday Sun.
“So the first persons who will hear, if that were to happen, are the people in Christ Church South. I haven’t spoken to them because I’m their representative. If anybody is to hear anything, it will be the people in Christ Church South who will hear first – as opposed to the media.”
He was attending the Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) T20 Plate Final at Greens Playing Field in St George last Saturday where the Barbados Prison Officers defeated Dreamcuts Landscaping St John Cultural by three wickets, sealing victory with a six in the final over.
Thorne was joined by DLP spokesperson on sport, Dr Dawn-Marie Armstrong, the party’s candidate for St Michael North. Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith was also present.
Thorne, who was supporting the St John side, said it was his first visit to Greens and applauded the BCA’s community-based approach.
Reflecting on his presence at such events, he said he remained committed to being accessible and involved across the island, regardless of political speculation.
“As Opposition Leader, I think I have a duty to render my own service and participation across Barbados, so I don’t restrict myself to Christ Church South,” he said, adding that he had also attended a major road tennis tournament in St John last year.
He described himself as a “regular Barbadian” with deep community roots – someone who grew up in the public school system, played cricket for clubs including Spartan, and once chaired dance group Dancin’ Africa.
“I know how to be a face in the crowd. The job I have, I suppose, catapults me into a certain prominence, but I am a regular Barbadian and my experience has been that of the regular Barbadian.”
He described the setting at Greens Playing Field as a “social melting pot”, noting the relaxed, picnicstyle environment and the interaction between spectators of all ages.
“I love to watch finals and I like the idea of cricket finals being decentralised away from Kensington Oval. This is the first time I’ve ever seen this ground and it’s fantastic. The basin concept, where the crowd actually watches from on the mound and you look down on the game – I’ll come back here. The BCA is doing a good thing in decentralising cricket.”
Thorne added: “The atmosphere is more intimate . . . . People move freely around the ground and it is peaceful – and you know, we need peace in Barbados. It’s a pity you don’t get this more often.” (JC)
