Connelly, Grant join BLP

The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has welcomed two former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) members into the fold.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley made the announcement today at The Glebe after a “thank you” motorcade on behalf of Toni Moore, who won the by-election which was held in St George North on Wednesday.

Mottley said the crossover was handled quietly.

“Within the last few weeks, we have had two candidates who ran against the BLP on behalf of the DLP, join us. I didn’t make any noise, I didn’t drag them across a platform, like how Woody [former BLP member Anthony Wood] was dragged, because I didn’t want to make it a cheap political act.

“They have come to us because they believe that at this time in Barbados’ history, we are the better party. I want to thank Rodney Grant for coming back home . . . and I also want to thank George Connolly, who, in spite of running against Kerrie Symmonds [for the St James Central seat in 2018], recognises this country needs all hands on deck if we are to build and go forward,” she said.

Mottley said Grant would help the BLP build out social capital and the affirmative action programme and would also be utilised to assist representative for St Michael South East Santia Bradshaw in The Pine, who he ran against in the 2018 election. (CA)