Saturday, May 9, 2026
Subscribe
Search here...
Home Blog Page 72

Call to explore energy options

Colville Mounsey
-
0
Call to explore energy options

Barbados must explore policy options to protect itself from global energy supply shocks as geopolitical tensions continue to drive volatility in international oil and gas markets.

This was the warning yesterday from Minister of Energy, Business Development and Commerce Kerrie Symmonds as the House of Assembly resumed debate, after Thursday’s break, on the Appropriation Bill 2026, containing the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the coming Financial year.

He said the country had to remain vigilant and strengthen its energy planning as global developments rapidly affect fuel prices and supply.

He reminded fellow legislators that Barbados remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels while transitioning towards renewable energy.

Symmonds pointed to the impact of the ongoing United States-Iran conflict, which he said had already triggered significant increases in oil prices within the span of a week.

He noted that Brent crude, which was trading at around US$68 per barrel prior to the conflict, had climbed to approximately US$84, while West Texas Intermediate crude moved from about US$69 to roughly US$80 per barrel.

Gas disruptions

“It is a matter of elementary mathematics to recognise that the world prices have moved to the tune of 16 per cent to 23 or 24 per cent over the course of the last week,” he said.

The Senior Minister added that disruptions in the global gas market were also a concern, pointing to developments where Qatar signalled a halt in gas production that could remove about 20 per cent of global natural gas supply from the market.

“If the war was to end tonight, it would still take at least another month for that dislocation to be corrected,” he said.

In response to these risks, Symmonds said Barbados must pursue several strategies to strengthen its energy resilience including expanding the island’s oil and gas storage capacity, reviewing supply contracts and ensuring the country maintains access to multiple energy suppliers to reduce vulnerability to international disruptions.

He also indicated that Government was continuing to pursue a broader multi-energy strategy designed to balance traditional fuel sources with new technologies.

“We believe that it is possible for us now to begin having serious discussions once again about having a low-risk but multi-energy type of portfolio.”

That portfolio, he pointed out, would include oil and gas supplies alongside low-carbon technologies, emissionsreduction strategies and deeper penetration of renewable energy across Barbados.

Government also intends to increase investment

in renewable energy infrastructure, including energy storage systems and wind energy projects, both onshore and offshore.

Symmonds was speaking as he presented Head 41 of the Estimates, which seeks parliamentary approval for $81.1 million to support the work of his ministry.

He said its responsibilities spanned several critical areas, including energy and natural resources, micro-enterprise development, cooperatives, utilities regulation, consumer protection and private sector development.

Together, these functions position the ministry as a key driver of economic transformation in Barbados, he said.

Development

“It is impossible, in my judgement, to speak to the question of economic development and economic transformation without addressing what is now the gorilla in the room – the energy sector,” he said.

While Barbados continues to accelerate its renewable energy transition, Symmonds acknowledged that the country will remain reliant on imported fossil fuels for several more years.

As a result, he added, careful policy planning and diversification of energy sources will remain essential to protecting the economy and shielding consumers from global shocks.

He also highlighted initiatives to strengthen the business environment, including increased support for microenterprise development, expansion of Trust Loan and Fund Access financing, and new systems such as an electronic single window and collateral registry to improve access to finance.

Symmonds said these initiatives formed part of Government’s broader push to drive inclusive economic growth.

“We cannot have an inclusive growth approach to our economy unless we take the ordinary Barbadian on that journey with us,” he said.

He added that if the initiatives are successfully implemented during the current term, they could help reset and transform the Barbadian economy while strengthening its resilience to global shocks. (CLM)

Recirculated wanted bulletin for Ramone Jordan

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Recirculated wanted bulletin for Ramone Jordan

Police have recirculated a wanted bulletin for 32-year-old Ramone Jamar Dacosta Jordan, alias “Gas”, who is wanted for questioning in connection with serious criminal matters.

Jordan, whose last known address is Wiltshire Avenue, Bayfield, St. Philip, is described as being six feet two inches tall, of slim build and brown complexion, with long dreadlocks.

Police said he has a tattoo on his left arm with an image of a wall and his alias “GAS” at the top. Another tattoo on the same arm bears the words ‘Honor, Yolo and Loyalty’ arranged in a strategic pattern.

He is advised to present himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (South) at the Oistins Police Station, Oistins, Christ Church, accompanied by an attorney-at-law of his choice.

Members of the public who may know Jordan’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at Oistins Police Station at 418-2608 or 418-2612, Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or the nearest police station.

Police have warned that Jordan is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. They also reminded the public that harbouring or assisting wanted persons is a serious offence and offenders can be prosecuted.

‘Act responsibly regarding Middle East crisis’

Carlos Atwell
-
0
‘Act responsibly regarding Middle East crisis’

The turmoil in Iran may affect Barbados but the Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) is advising retailers to act responsibly.

In a statement, the consumer protection body said it was “closely monitoring” what was happening in the Middle East and any potential impact on global oil prices.

“While geopolitical tensions involving Iran have contributed to volatility in international energy markets, Barbadians should understand that any impact on local prices is not immediate. Barbados is geographically far from the Middle East, but because oil is traded on a global market, sustained increases in crude oil prices could eventually influence fuel, electricity, and transportation costs.”

However, BCEN is also cautioning businesses against using “international headlines as justification

for premature or speculative price increases”.

“Goods currently on shelves were purchased under existing cost structures, and consumers should not be asked to pay higher prices before genuine cost increases occur. BCEN therefore calls on retailers, distributors, and service providers to act responsibly and ensure that any price adjustments are transparent, justified, and based on actual cost changes rather than speculation.” (CA)

From self-taught to full-time artist

Nationnews Desk
-
0
From self-taught to full-time artist

Born in Germany and shaped by the post-war immigrant experience in Canada, veteran artist Heidi Berger has led a peripatetic life across France, Mexico, and Germany and Canada.

However, Barbados has remained her constant since the 1970s. It is where she spends six months each year, getting away from the cold, here to enjoy the sunny days and warm nights associated with the island. It’s also where she spends much of her time either teaching art or simply painting at her Shop Hill, St Thomas studio.

It was when she was eight years old that Heidi’s parents moved to Canada. There, she studied languages at the University of Waterloo, and went on to obtain a PhD in German literature. She also attended two other universities, including the Sorbonne University in Paris, where she studied French.

Heidi made the decision to enter the teaching profession and taught German literature at the University of Waterloo, the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, all in Canada.

She set foot on Barbadian soil for the first time in 1976. And for the following 20 years, her family became regular visitors to the island, spending time with her mother who had moved to Barbados.

After her husband retired, the two decided to make Barbados their home away from home and have been making their annual trips to the island between October and April, for the past 25 years. The remaining months are spent in Canada.

“In total, I have been coming to Barbados for 50 years,” she proudly told Buzz during an interview earlier this week.

Although she began painting as a teenager, and was considered to be “extremely talented,” Heidi’s father was not in agreement with her pursuing art as a career choice.

“My father did not consider that being an artist was a good choice,” she shared.

But a time of transitioning was in the making, and many years later, Heidi transitioned from being a “closet artist” to a full-time practitioner in the 1990s.

A self-taught artist, whose work will be on display during the all-female art show, ECHO, which opens on Sunday, at the Gallery of Caribbean Art, Speightstown, St Peter and runs until April 8, Heidi actually started painting professionally 30 years after retiring from her other jobs.

She exhibited her work for the first time in Barbados back in 1998, at the Verandah Art Gallery, which, at that time was located upstairs the Women’s Self Help on Broad Street, The City.

She has participated in over 50 international exhibitions, including shows she has done with well-known artist Bill Grace, who has since passed on. Her most recent art

show was the 2025 “Bridgetown” show at the Gallery of Caribbean Art.

According to Heidi, art has always been her way of communicating, of expressing emotions, of telling stories.

“I have also always been fascinated by people around me, particularly the people of Barbados, and especially the women of Barbados.

“Most of my life I have spent painting these women. They have mostly been single “family” women.

“I am aware that 30 years ago the single mother was quite common. Women kept things together. They raise the children and they made the money.

“What I try to do is paint the inside of women – their dreams, their thoughts. I have used several models over the years – women of varying ages – the young and the old, and children as well.”

The work of Heidi, who founded the Artist Studio Tours Barbados, in 2019, is deeply influenced by the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi – the beauty of the imperfect and incomplete. She specialises in mixed media, collage, and the ancient art of encaustic, using molten wax and fire to create narratives from fragmented histories.

“Nowadays, I paint in mixed-media. It is a combination of collage, acrylic, and I work a lot with encaustic.

In addition to her participation in ECHO, Heidi’s work will simultaneously be on display during Changes, another art exhibition being held this month at the Queen’s Park Art Gallery.

To best sum up her life as an accomplished creative, Heidi had this to say: “My life is art, and my life is a work of art.” (Cheryl Harewood)

Norville’s vision continues to grow

Natanga Smith
-
0
Norville’s vision continues to grow

Last Saturday night, gospel music lovers gathered for an uplifting evening of praise, powerful vocals and community connection as Barbadian gospel singer Allison Norville staged the fourth edition of her annual concert series, A New Beginning.

Held this year at Frank Collymore Hall, the show marked another milestone in a concert series that Norville says was born out of a desire to reinvent herself and create a meaningful platform for gospel music and ministry in Barbados.

For Norville, who has been on the local music scene since she was 18, the journey to launching the concert series began with a simple but powerful piece of advice from a close friend overseas.

“I was trying to find a way to reinvent myself,” she explained. “My friend suggested starting a series of concerts that could incorporate local artists and eventually regional and international ones as well, all with the aim of lifting and praising the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ while inspiring people in the community.”

Four years later, that vision continues to grow. Although Norville admits that organising the event still brings its fair share of nerves, she credits faith and a dedicated team for making each staging possible.

“Each year when I’m about to start a concert I get a little nervous because I know it’s a heavy undertaking,” she said. “But I also know that God has equipped me with the gift to put things together and placed some amazing people around me with their own gifts who help make it happen.”

Originally staged at Collymore Rock Church of the Nazarene, A New Beginning found a new home this year at Frank Collymore Hall after logistical challenges made it difficult to host the event at its previous venue. Norville described the transition as a blessing.

“They didn’t just leave me to figure things out on my own,” she said of the team at the venue. “They were there every step of the way and were extremely professional and supportive.”

The concert’s theme remains rooted in its title: the idea that every year offers a fresh start.

“It’s a brand new year and sometimes life doesn’t always go the way you planned,” Norville said. “But a new year means a new beginning. It’s an opportunity to reset, reflect and move forward.”

Over the years, A New Beginning has become known not only for its message but also for its lineup of talented performers drawn from across the island’s gospel community.

Among the most consistent collaborators has been singer Neesha Woodz, whom Norville describes as both a dear friend and a versatile, creative artist who continues to add depth to the show.

Another key element of the production is its band of musicians, which has been led for the past three years by musical director David Graham.

“David is the one who pulls together the musicians each year,” Norville said. “They are consistently outstanding. I’m always so happy to work with them.”

Beyond the performances, Norville says one of her biggest motivations for hosting the concert each year is to create opportunities for emerging talent.

Her own musical journey began when she won the Anika Youth Ministries Song Contest as a teenager. After the competition, the well-known gospel band Promise took her under their wing, helping introduce her to audiences beyond the Pentecostal circuit.

“That experience really opened my eyes to how the wider Christian community across Barbados ministers,” she said. “It showed me the importance of giving people opportunities to perform and grow.”

That philosophy is reflected in the show’s pre-concert segment, which begins before the main event and is dedicated to highlighting up-and-coming artists or performers who may not yet have a large platform.

This year’s pre-show featured a diverse mix of young talent, including Tar-Tar Music, whose performance blended spoken word with hiphop influences and Dacia Moore, the recent winner of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition.

“She shone so brightly on stage,” Norville said of Moore’s performance. “It was truly a pleasure to have her on the programme.”

The variety of styles showcased during the evening – from traditional gospel to contemporary sounds and spoken word – helped create an engaging atmosphere that resonated strongly with the audience.

Norville said one of the most rewarding aspects of the concert is seeing the way the community embraces the event year after year.

“There’s a couple who come to almost every gospel event across the island,” she shared with a smile. “They’re always right up front dancing, praising and enjoying the music. Seeing that kind of energy reminds me why we do this.”

Looking ahead, Norville hopes A New Beginning will continue to grow into a lasting legacy within Barbados’ gospel music scene.

“By God’s grace, I really see this becoming something that lasts for years,” she said. “A New Beginning 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and beyond.”

One of her biggest challenges, however, has been securing long-term corporate partnerships to help sustain and expand the production.

Despite this, several businesses have remained faithful, including Courts, which Norville says has provided consistent sponsorship each year.

She believes gospel concerts offer a strong platform for companies to connect with audiences while supporting positive community events.

“Gospel music is a powerful platform,” she said. “It’s inspiring, uplifting and familyfriendly, and I believe it’s a great opportunity for brands to be involved.”

Norville also has big dreams for the future of the concert series, including eventually welcoming regional and international gospel artists to the stage.

Among the performers she hopes to host one day are Jamaican gospel legends Papa San and DJ Nicholas, as well as international stars like Alvin Slaughter, Donnie McClurkin, Jonathan McReynolds and the iconic CeCe Winans.

“The day I can afford to have CeCe Winans on my show will be a very special day,” she laughed.

For now, however, Norville remains committed to showcasing the abundance of talent already present in Barbados.

“We are brimming with talent here,” she said. “Local artistes will always be the focus of A New Beginning. If we add regional or international acts in the future, they will simply complement the incredible gifts we already have at home.”

And judging from the response to Saturday night’s show, the spirit of A New Beginning continues to resonate strongly – bringing together faith, music and community for an evening that leaves audiences uplifted and ready for the year ahead. (NS)

Windies squad members begging ICC and CWI to “get me home”

Philip Spooner
-
0
Windies squad members begging ICC and CWI to “get me home”

The West Indies squad members are frustrated and fuming and have again called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) to get out of India. Some have taken to social media to vent their growing anger and vexation. 

Allrounder Sherfane Rutherford on Friday evening posted a direct message “I’m fed up… I wanna go Home please”, a day after they were promised a charter flight would be provided to take them to their destinations to reunite with family and loved ones.

Spin bowler Akeal Hosein called on football legend Cristiano Ronaldo to help as the team remains stranded in India: “Come rescue me”. 

He is part of the West Indian squad in India for the T20 World Cup, but they remain in Kolkata now stranded due to air traffic suspensions surrounding the ongoing issues in the Middle East. 

On Thursday head coach Daren Sammy begged for ICC and CWI to address their growing concerns and CWI issued a statement of reassurance.

The West Indies played their last match of the World Cup on Sunday night against India in Kolkata. Five days and nights later, it seems they are still struggling to make their way home. 

NATION NEWS received an update at 5:30pm on Friday (8am Barbados Time) and there were still no firm arrangements to fly out of the eastern city.

 “At this point, I’m better off asking Cristiano [Ronaldo] to send the [jet] and come rescue me yes,” wrote Hosein tongue in cheek on his account on X, referencing how the Windies players were struggling to find any charter that would be able to guide them home safely at this time.

US and Venezuela agree to resume diplomatic ties after Maduro capture

Nationnews Desk
-
0
US and Venezuela agree to resume diplomatic ties after Maduro capture

The US and Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations.

The agency said in a statement that the two sides would make joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery and advance political reconciliation.

While their diplomatic relations have been improving since the US military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January in a surprise raid, the announcement of formal bilateral ties marks a hugely symbolic step.

President Donald Trump ordered troops to seize Maduro and his wife, bringing them to a Manhattan court to face allegations of weapon and drug offences, which they deny.

The US embassy in Caracas, which closed in 2019, has already reopened, and Washington has appointed a new diplomat in Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government said on Thursday it was willing to advance a “new stage of constructive dialogue, based on mutual respect”.

It said the relationship must result in the “social and economic happiness of the Venezuelan people”.

But the statement from Caracas made no reference to a transition or future elections, unlike the US state department’s.

The US has accused Maduro – who is due to stand trial this month in the US – and other members of his government of leading a criminal organisation involved in activities such as illegal mining and drug trafficking.

Sources told the BBC that more diplomatic staff from the US embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, are expected to be transferred to Caracas soon. The move will make it much easier for officials to negotiate face-to-face and provide consular services.

The US state department said its engagement was focused on helping Venezuelan people move forward through a “phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government”.

After a visit to Venezuela, US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum told reporters on the runway in Caracas on Thursday on his way back to the US that it was a “brilliant strategic move” to intervene in Venezuela before Iran.

The US and Israel launched military action on Iran on 28 February. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the first wave of strikes.

Burgum, who leads President Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, added on Thursday that the intervention would help ensure that “oil will flow to America”.

Since the US military strikes on Venezuela and seizure of Maduro, the US has struck new oil deals with Venezuela.

Washington has allowed the country to sell sanctioned oil with US oversight, and Venezuela has changed its law to allow more foreign investment in the oil sector.

On Wednesday, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez and Burgum said the two countries would work together to develop mining in the country.

Along with having the largest proven oil reserves in the world, Venezuela is rich in gold, diamonds, critical minerals and rare earth minerals – including some of those used in mobile phones. (BBC)

SurePay: We can’t handle rising costs

Carlos Atwell
-
0
SurePay: We can’t handle rising costs

SurePay (Barbados) Limited says it can no longer absorb the rising costs associated with its operations as the Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) raises concerns that a proposed fee could place an additional burden on consumers.

SurePay director Anthony Yearwood responded yesterday to questions surrounding a notice sent to the company’s partners advising them about changes linked to the introduction of a 30-cent VAT-inclusive End-User Convenience Fee on cash and cheque payments made over the counter.

The February 24 notice, which was made available to the Weekend Nation, indicated that a reduction in the Cash Management Fee charged by SurePay was “contingent on and tied to” the implementation of the new fee.

BCEN has called for greater clarification on the changes, suggesting the move might shift costs from businesses to consumers.

However, Yearwood said the company was not forcing any new arrangement on its partners.

“Our focus is in terms of our own viability. We have stakeholders, which are the consumer, our billers and our agents and everything we’re doing right now is to make sure that we and all of our stakeholders can continue to be viable,” he said.

Yearwood added the company had absorbed a significant portion of its operational costs, but this approach had become increasingly difficult to maintain.

“At the end of the day, it’s a business that has to remain viable and it can’t remain viable by absorbing all the costs in itself. There’s only so much that we can absorb and pass on to our billers and we also have to be aware of what we are passing on to the consumer. We absorb what we can and we pass on a significant portion to our billers but now we are passing on a component to the consumer. We are asking the consumer to take on a very small portion,” he said.

BCEN, however, believes the structure of the proposed change raises important questions about how costs are distributed across the system.

“Of particular concern to BCEN, the conditional structure of the proposed fee change. The reduction in SurePay’s Cash Management Fee appears to depend on the introduction of the new consumer fee. BCEN is of the view that this raises questions about whether the cost of the service is being

shifted from institutional partners to individual consumers,” wrote BCEN executive chairman Maureen Holder.

The consumer advocacy organisation added that if businesses or billers are paying less while customers pay more, the move could represent a rebalancing of fees within the system that ultimately shifts the burden onto households. Concerns have been raised about accessibility following the recent closure of the SurePay outlet at Jordans Supermarket in Fitts Village, St James.

Holder said the combination of new transaction fees and the loss of convenient payment locations could make it more difficult for vulnerable Barbadians to pay their bills.

“BCEN is raising serious concerns about recent changes to bill payment services across the island, warning that the combined effect of new transaction fees and the reduction of convenient access points is likely to make it more difficult and more costly for vulnerable Barbadians to pay essential bills,” Holder said.

However, Yearwood stressed that the closure of the Fitts Village outlet had nothing to do with the new fee structure.

According to him, the decision was made by the supermarket itself.

“Jordans said they were not getting the level of traffic to justify continuing having a SurePay there but they continue to have one in their Fairchild Street location,” he said.

Yearwood noted that SurePay continues to maintain a strong presence across the island.

“For more than two decades, SurePay has delivered a valuable service to the Barbadian consumer. It is more than a simple convenience, it saves people money and time by not having to pay their bills at different locations. As we have previously outlined, circumstances beyond our control require us to introduce a modest consumer fee to ensure that we can continue to deliver the service consumers have come to expect,” he said. (CA)

The Antigua and Barbuda government to consider granting amnesty to foreign nationals

Nationnews Desk
-
0
The Antigua and Barbuda government to consider granting amnesty to foreign nationals

The Antigua and Barbuda government plans to launch a three-month immigration amnesty from April 2 this year for undocumented migrants who have been living in the country for at least four years, the Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant, has said.

Merchant, speaking to reporters following the weekly Cabinet meeting, said that the measure forms part of proposed amendments to immigration legislation that are expected to be debated in Parliament later this month.

He said Cabinet agreed that the amnesty programme would run for a limited period while authorities process applications from eligible migrants.

“They also agreed that the amnesty itself will start on the 2nd of April and will run for three months,” Merchant said, adding that the programme will apply to individuals who have been residing in the country for four years or more without legal status.

“The four-year start in terms of how long you’ve been in Antigua, they think it’s adequate,” Merchant said, noting that research suggests most individuals likely to apply for the programme have been living in the country for at least that length of time.

He said the Cabinet also reviewed the proposed application process, including the documentation required and the cost to applicants and that applicants will need to submit a police record covering the previous two years from their country of origin and from Antigua and Barbuda.

“They also agreed on a police record dating back two years from their country of origin,” he said, adding that the government has also reduced the proposed application fee, recommending an EC$250 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) processing fee.

“The original bill recommended an EC$500 processing fee,” he noted.

Under the proposal, the Chief Immigration Officer would be responsible for reviewing and approving applications submitted during the amnesty period.

Parliament is expected to consider the Immigration Amendment Bill on April 23. (CMC)

Thorne’s exit ‘a turning point for DLP’

Colville Mounsey
-
0
Thorne’s exit ‘a turning point for DLP’

While the General Council of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was locked behind closed doors in a meeting last night, two leading Barbadian political scientists said the resignation of former Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne as president represents a critical turning point for the struggling opposition party.

Dr George Belle and Devaron Bruce both said the development was not entirely unexpected following the party’s third consecutive 30-0 defeat in the recent General Election.

Bruce noted that Thorne’s departure follows a pattern established by previous DLP leaders who stepped aside after electoral losses.

“It would seem as though Ralph Thorne has followed in the tradition of the DLP leaders who have lost at elections and have resigned,” Bruce said, pointing to the resignations of former leaders after the 2018 and 2022 general elections.

He argued that the move could create an opportunity for renewal within the party, particularly given Thorne’s electoral performance.

“Ralph Thorne is statistically either the second or third worst performing political leader in the history of elections, depending on how you look at it,” Bruce said, adding that the combination of electoral losses and Thorne’s age would have made it difficult for him to lead the party into another election.

Bruce suggested that the DLP may now turn its attention to younger figures within the organisation as it attempts to rebuild.

He identified Senator Ryan Walters as a potential leadership contender, noting that Walters has been active in the party since the 2018 election and has contested two general elections.

“He has now run in two elections and has come the closest in winning a seat for the first time for the Democratic Labour Party since 2013,” Bruce said.

Bruce also mentioned attorney Corey Greenidge as another emerging figure within the party, though he suggested Walters might currently be the more likely leadership option.

However, he cautioned that rebuilding the DLP would require more than simply selecting a new leader.

“I really think the DLP ought to consider a core group of leaders, not just a single individual, because it’s quite frankly a heavy lift,” Bruce said.

For his part, Belle said Thorne’s political fate was largely sealed once he failed to secure a parliamentary seat in the last election.

After crossing the floor

Belle explained that Thorne’s original role within the party was tied closely to providing a parliamentary presence after crossing the floor from the Barbados Labour Party. “I carried the view that Thorne was reached out to by certain stalwarts in the Democratic Labour Party who felt that he would provide a parliamentary bridgehead for the party,” Belle said. However, that strategy depended on Thorne winning a seat in the House of Assembly, something Belle said did not materialise. “Once you fail to win that seat, he no longer has a parliamentary presence,” Belle explained. “If he has no parliamentary presence anymore, his purpose . . . is no longer being served.” Belle added that efforts to secure a Senate position for Thorne also failed, leaving him without a role in Parliament.

“The last flicker of hope that he had and the party maybe had for him was to get him into the Senate and that manoeuvre failed,” he said.

According to Belle, those circumstances made Thorne’s resignation almost inevitable.

“I would expect on that basis that his political future would cease as a leader of the Democratic Labour Party and therefore, the only logical thing he could do would be to resign,” he said.

Looking ahead, Belle said the party must now focus on rebuilding its organisational base and restoring unity among its factions.

“I think any political organisation has to have a leader and there’s always a coalition behind that leader,” he said, noting that successful leaders must be able to hold together different groups within the party.

He added that the DLP now has time to undertake the “non-spectacular work” of rebuilding its branches and strengthening its organisational structure before the next general election.

“They have to do the quick sustained work of rebuilding the party branches and building the party up from the bottom,” Belle said.

“But there’s a whole lot of work that party needs because it has been devastated,” he stressed. (CLM)

1...717273...13,595Page 72 of 13,595

Follow us

Each template in our ever growing studio library can be added and moved around within any page effortlessly with one click.

Company

Latest news

‘Reinforcing’ borders

Politics 0
Barbados is seeking to strengthen its maritime boundaries, protect...

High hopes for ‘A’ team

Sports 0
What can a young Barbados cricketer learn in a...

Attorney: I had plans of repaying

From The Courts 0
He was treated “harshly” as parties for the vendor...

Popular news

Four persons convicted of conspiracy to murder former Haitian leader

Regional 0
A Florida jury on Friday convicted four men on...

CMO: Hantavirus not a threat to Barbados

Health 0
Barbados is not at risk of a hantavirus outbreak,...

Putin denounces Nato at scaled back Victory Day parade

World 0
Vladimir Putin has used his annual Victory Day speech...

Copyright © 1997 - 2026, Nation Publishing Co. Limited • P.O. Box 1203, Fontabelle, St. Michael, BB11000, Barbados, West Indies • All Rights Reserved No unauthorized use is permitted of content produced by NationNews.com, The Nation Newspaper or any other publication or media owned by Nation Publishing Co. Limited. Unauthorized use includes framing and direct posting of content on websites other than www.nationnews.com.