The Barbados Labour Party swept all three seats in St Philip, with Dr Sonia Browne and Indar Weir comfortably winning, while newcomer Kay McConney brushed aside the initial challenge from Dr David Estwick.
St Philip South:
Re-elected Member of Parliament for St Philip South, Indar Weir of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), said delivering recreational facilities, fixing key roads and infrastructure, and providing more opportunities for young people were among the plans he has for constituents.
Weir topped the polling with 3 175 votes – 1 590 more than main challenger Neil Marshall of the Democratic Labour Party, with Bruce Hennis of the Alliance Party for Progress getting 225 and Ronald Lorde of Solutions Barbados receiving 109.
Weir said he would also be working to continue the roll out of his business, entertainment, sport and transformation (BEST) programme for young people in the constituency.
“Though we have started, COVID-19 did not make it easy,” he said. “For business, we want to help (micro businesses), the nail technicians, the hairdressers, and all the people involved in agriculture for whom I have been able to find funding either through the Trust Loans or the Agriculture Development Fund or Fund Access.
“Then the entertainment. We have a rich, rich, rich culture in Barbados and St Philip South, where shops across (the constituency) are available to all of us. I have spent many Fridays leaving work after a stressful week and coming to St Philip South to relax with my people, go to karaoke, and watch our small businesspeople earn a dollar.”
St Philip West
First-timer Kay McConney of the Barbados Labour Party pulled off a dramatic win against the Democratic Labour Party challenger Dr David Estwick in the snap election called by Prime Minister Mia Mottley three weeks ago.
McConney, a senator in Mottley’s last administration, totalled 2 580 votes to Estwick’s 2 140 to land her as the representative for St Philip West in the House of Assembly.
The overall votes cast in the election were 5 152 with 15 spoilt.
Lynette Eastmond of the Alliance Party for Progress, Karina Goodridge of Solutions Barbados tallied 328 and 104 votes respectively.
“It feels … such an honour that the people of St Philip West found me worthy,” McConney said. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to represent them.”
St Philip North
Dr Sonia Browne retained the seat of St Philip North by staving off her closest challenger, Democratic Labour Party candidate Michael Lashley, by 235 votes.
She amassed 2 393 votes to Lashley’s 2 158, as announced by returning officer at the Hilda Skeene Primary School, Henson Alleyne, just after 1 a.m. A group of supporters were waiting at the school gate to congratulate their “champion”.
Browne said her victory was “humbling”, adding that while the campaign was short, she was glad the country could move on to the next step.
Candidate for the Alliance Party for Progress, Reverend Nigel Newton, received 88 votes; while Independents Omar Smith (64) and Wayne Beckles (39) were the others in the race.
In 2018, Browne comfortably beat Lashley by 1 598 votes, receiving 3 613 to Lashley’s 2 015.