By the time the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) 74th Annual Conference comes off next week under the theme “Ready, United, Strong”, leader Owen Arthur will be the only one left to officially make the party’s slate of candidates for the next general election.
Chairman Dr Jerome Walcott has confirmed that the party has 27 of its 30 candidates in place, with two more nominations – in St Andrew and St Philip South – planned for tomorrow.
Under the party’s constitution, Arthur as political leader must also go through the nomination process in the St Peter constituency which he represents.
“I was actually trying to do that [nomination] before the conference but it’s not going to be possible. So, more than likely, it will be almost immediately after the conference and that will be a special occasion, no doubt. But certainly by the time of the conference 29 candidates will be in place,” he told a press conference at the BLP’s Grantley Adams House headquarters this morning when plans were announced for the October 26-28 conference which will be held at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed.
Chairman of the Conference Arrangements Committee Tryone Lovell said that in keeping with the theme of the conference, all the party’s officers would be re-elected unopposed.
Walcott will be returned as party chair; first vice chairman is deputy political leader Dale Marshall; second vice chairman is Christ Church West candidate Dr Maria Agard; third vice chairman is Pat Parris; General Secretary George Griffith will also be returned; and Douglas Skeete will hold the post of Treasurer.
“We are indeed pleased as a political institution, recognizing that as we march towards the next general election, that we have indeed demonstrated that we are in fact ready, united and strong and this conference will demonstrate that to all who witness it,” Lovell said.
A total of 47 people will be honoured between the first and last days of the conference which will also feature a debate on tourism that will include a participant from Canada via Skype, a concert and political rally. The conference will be streamed live on the BLP’s website. (DP)
