BLP St. Michael North West goes to Rowe

It was a landslide win, the people have spoken and the new Barbados Labour Party St. Michael North West constituency representative is Neil Rowe.

 

There was a full house at the Ellerslie Secondary School as residents of the area came out to the nomination meeting at around six pm. Three nominees, Marsha Hinds-Layne, Neil Rowe and Mark Williams were given an opportunity to address the audience briefly before the voting exercise took place. 

 

The first nominee, Hinds-Layne gave a fiery and powerful speech focusing significantly on the political history rather than the community issues. After her presentation, Rowe came to the stage; a humble and timid public speaker acknowledging the current societal problems (poor garbage collection, lack of recreational centres and unemployment) faced by his constituents.

 

In his presentation, he highlighted the fact that he has played an active role in the area by assisting unemployed members of the community with jobs and giving back to the community through his charity. 

 

Williams took the opportunity not to speak about himself but to endorse his younger counterpart, Rowe.

 

An hour later, the boxes with the votes were counted in front of the animated and restless crowd.

 

By the third voting box, it was evident that Rowe, the young man who came from the Brighton and Ashdeane area, had the advantage.

 

The end results were 114 to Rowe with 46 votes going to Hinds-Layne.