The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for The City of Bridgetown is ready to fill the breach left by outgoing parliamentary representative, Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic, says party leader Verla De Peiza.
In a media release, party president De Peiza said “our candidate Kemar Stuart stands ready to become the next representative of the City whenever the upcoming elections is called”.
“There is no denying that Lt Col Jeffery Bostic was dealt a hand like no other of his predecessors. He acquitted himself well though often thwarted by the tendency of the Prime Minister to speak to following the science but bowing to corporate interests,” the statement said.
“It cannot be easy, and no doubt he drew strength from his prior disciplined training. All the frontline health care workers are forever in our debt and we wish him well in his retirement.”
Read: Bostic won’t be back for next election
On Thursday, Bostic, the Minister of Health and Wellness, confirmed he would not be contesting the seat in the next general election.
“The City is a place that requires a lot of attention. The issue is not the Ministry of Health nor is it serving The City, but rather trying to handle both at the same time. I came into politics because I love The City and I wanted to help the people. However, over the last two years it has really taken a toll on me,” Bostic said.
“My children and grandchildren used to have lunch with me every Sunday, but I have not been able to do that for the last two years. The truth is that if I am asked to serve in any capacity the next time around, I would do so. I cannot handle being a Parliamentary representative and a Minister because people need to see you. I used to be out in The City all of the time but in recent years I have not been able to do that because of the demands of the Ministry of Health.”
The City of Bridgetown is a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) stronghold. In May 1969 when Louis Lynch of the Barbados National Party died, Elliott Mottley won the seat for the BLP with 1 977 votes. He held it until 1976 when he resigned, giving way to Billie Miller (now Dame Billie), who represented the urban constituency until 2008.
On that occasion, Patrick Todd beat Bostic by 2 239 votes to 1 817, but the latter won in 2013 and again in 2018. (SAT)
Kemar Stuart (FILE)
