ATTORNEY-AT-LAW WILFRED ABRAHAMS will be contesting the nomination for the Christ Church East constituency when Barbados Labour Party (BLP) members meet at the St Christopher Primary School on Sunday at 5 p.m. to choose a candidate for the next general election.
Abrahams, a former president of the Bar Association and current president of the Organisation of the Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations, will be entering elective politics for the first time if he wins the nomination.
The former Harrisonian, who received his primary education at St Giles School, The Ivy, told the WEEKEND NATION that he had always had an interest in helping people, and elective politics was the logical step as an avenue for helping an even wider cross section of Barbadians.
The 37-year-old attorney pointed out that over the past year he had been spending time in the constituency becoming familiar with the concerns and issues affecting constituents.
Abrahams identified rampant unemployment in Silver Sands, lack of financing for the fishing industry, the lack of resource facilities in Parish Land, and the ecological threat posed by the proposed new development in Chancery Lane as some of the issues requiring immediate attention.
While not discounting the other two candidates, Abrahams stressed that the BLP was on a new track by putting in place candidates who were capable of representing their constituencies and ultimately the country at the highest level.
He said that his experience in heading national and regional organisations, as well as a successful legal and business practice, stood him in good stead.
Abrahams pointed out that the past year has been eye-opening and sensitised him to the peculiar needs of the constituency. He noted that the most common sentiment is “the sense of frustration and abandonment by the current representative”. According to Abrahams, constituents complained that representation had reached “a new low” and that the current MP was inaccessible and an “absentee landlord”.
He maintained that a number of the issues currently facing the constituents could be addressed by the BLP even though the party did not form the Government.
Abrahams said: “For example, there are many persons slipping through the cracks of governmental institutions who may simply need letters written on their behalf or direction as to which agencies they can approach for assistance. Persons reaching the age of retirement may need guidance and assistance in accessing their pensions and gratuities.
“Times are hard but there are simple things which can be done to assist people. It simply requires persons who care enough to start the process and follow through until the job is completed. The people of Christ Church East are tired of empty promises and shattered dreams . . . ,” Abrahams added.
He proposes to bring “a new accountability and the same determination and resourcefulness” he displayed in his legal practice, to help the people of the constituency.
Abrahams said he was a strong advocate of charity and giving back to the community, adding that this attitude had contributed to his development.
He has been the legal advisor to the St John Association of Barbados for the past five years; legal counsel for the National Forum Against Domestic Violence, and one of the resource persons for the SAVE Foundation.
Abrahams has spearheaded charitable work for the Barbados Bar Association and he is also actively involved in sports, holding the post of secretary of the Barbados Fencing Federation.
He is on the national team for the Central American and Caribbean Games.
Explaining the rationale for entering elective politics at this time, Abrahams said: “I was disappointed by the broken promises of the current Government, and I was encouraged by the BLP candidate for St Michael South-East, Santia Bradshaw, to come and play my part and make a difference.
“I do not believe in criticising from the outside when I can join the fray and make a difference. Action, not talk, is what is important.” (PR/TS)
