THE BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY (BLP) is not in a position to ask the public for a fourth consecutive term in office.

A number of Democratic Labour Party speakers made the point during a political mass meeting in Quakers Road, Carrington Village, St Michael, on Sunday night. The party is expected to stage a number of meetings across Barbados culminating around the 40th anniversary of Independence in November.

Richard Sealy, MP for St Michael South Central, described the ruling party as being tired and one which did not care for those beyond "its people".

Dr David Estwick, St Philip West MP, said the BLP had no moral authority to return to the electorate to beg for another term, since based on its actions over the years, there had been "a breach of contract with the people".

He criticised the Owen Arthur Administration for "failure" of many of its programmes, particularly those relating to housing and the operation of the National Housing Corporation.

Meantime, candidate for St Michael Central Steve Blackett said the BLP at this stage was now "on automatic, tired and will not change despite all the window dressing . . . . It is politically bankrupt". (ES)