Each of the three candidates contesting the seat for the St Michael South Central constituency expressed confidence in their ability to bring home the bacon for their respective party when they handed in nomination papers at The St Michael School yesterday.
While incumbent for the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Marsha Caddle was highly optimistic that she would be returned to complete her mission in the constituency, the Democratic Labour Party’s Richard Sealy who lost his seat to Caddle in the 2018 elections, suggested the vote of the people of St Michael South Central would be returned in his favour.
The third candidate, David Gill, is returning to the elections race on the new Alliance Party for Progress’ (APP) ticket.
Yesterday, surrounded by his campaign manager Emon Layne, proposers Stephen Thorne, seconder Yolander Elcock and about five other supporters, he suggested he was poised to unseat Caddle whom he claimed, that together with the DLP’s Sealy, had failed to give the constituency promised representation during their terms of office.
The APP coalition was formed by former Opposition leader Bishop Joseph Atherley of People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PDP) and the United Progressive Party.
Richard Sealy was the first of the candidates to arrive at the nomination centre where about 12 supporters were patiently sitting or standing around awaiting him. He was accompanied by his agent John Emmanuel, proposer Jennifer Grant and seconder Beverley Downes. Without fanfare and little evidence of the party’s promotional logo, they made their way inside The St Michael School Hall where Returning Officer Le-Anne Butcher and Elections Clerk Cecile Cox were awaiting the nominees.
Outside, Sealy reiterated his charge that calling an election during the COVID-19 pandemic at this time was a “reckless and irresponsible decision”. He told the Daily Nation it could mean “about one or two per cent of the population or about 2 500 people who are COVID-positive, being sidelined”.
Nonetheless, he asserted: “I am in no ways fearful about facing the electorate in St Michael South Central.”
Minutes later, a ripple of red signaled Caddle’s arrival with about 20 supporters waving raised flags and one banner. She was accompanied by her election agent and campaign manager husband Dr Abdul Mohamed; proposer Cultural Ambassador The Most Honourable Dr Anthony (Gabby) Carter and seconder Kathy-Ann Caddle.
“I feel privileged to have been able to represent St Michael South Central for the last three and a half years. I return now because I as the representative have a lot of work to continue with the communities of St Michael South Central,” Caddle remarked after handing in her nomination papers. (GC)