THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE of Barbados is changing, and the formation of a fifth party tosses up an intriguing future as the island looks towards the next general election.
Last week, chairperson Lynette Eastmond announced the formation of the United Progressive Party (UPP), which comes on the heels of the Barbados Integrity Movement and Solutions Barbados.
All say they are offering alternatives to the ruling Democratic labour Party (DLP) and the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which have charted the course of this nation since 1966. Online readers shared their views on the new party.
PB: A welcome change. Hope you soon put out your policy documents on various aspects of governmental functioning and you receive
the support you need. So let’s hear what your platform will be.
Alex Alleyne: Only last month Ms Eastmond dismissed rumours that she had joined a new political party. Oh, how quickly things change.
Sylvester Jones: Well, she start wrong for me. She denied any affiliation with one party while stating she was still committed to another . . . .
Tony Waterman: Let’s see how many Bajans really need change, and/or how many need this necessary third voice, hopefully, of reason. This is a move in the right direction, but I still favour getting rid of parties altogether, and voting for individuals and the Prime Minister on a national ballot.
Calypsocalover: A two-time voter reject on an established party ticket thinks she can form a government. Anyone else but . . . I wonder which constituency she will contest. It might have been better to switch parties.
Greg Coles: I am in favour of a system with more than two parties and welcome it. However, now is not the time. Many, many are unhappy with the DLP and many of them are also disillusioned with the Bees. This could cause a vote split with those voting against the DLP and allowing them to be re-elected.
Juanna Bovell: There is a large portion of people who are disenfranchised and have already made up their minds that they are not voting for parties they know have already failed this country. They may not be in a position to win the government, but they may still win seats to strike a better balance in the House over the next few years. This framework is better than the one [we] currently have . . . .
Jan Watson: It is about time – checks and balance. The other two parties are becoming too complacent and not accountable. Challenge is needed to remind them of their duties.
Edward Swamy: To build a new party is okay, but not overnight. A year or three to take. This should have started years ago to win the people.
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 • Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.
