Opposition leader Mia Mottley is flanked by the two nominees for the St. Michael Central nod, Hally Haynes (left) and Arthur Holder (right). Holder emerged victorious.
A large crowd could be seen along the corridors of the George Lamming Primary waiting to cast their vote for the next BLP representative for the constituency of St. Michael Central.
Holder gets BLP St. Michael Central nod
ARTHUR Holder has once again been nominated to be the Barbados Labour Party representative for the constituency of St. Michael Central, when the next general election is called.
On Sunday evening, party faithfuls swarmed the George Lamming Primary School with a sea of red, with long queues stretching into the hallway of the school, as young and the young at heart anxiously waited to cast their vote for either Holder, or newcomer Hally Haynes. During the 2013 election, Holder was unopposed in that constituency.
Approximately one hour and 30 minutes after voting, the boxes returned to the school hall. The energised crowd, many bedecked in “Holder 2018” shirts, listened attentively to what appeared to be a foregone conclusion.
While Haynes, for a few moments, seemed to be picking up some momentum during the counting of the first box, it was soon clear that it would be a landslide victory, as predicted, by Holder. Holder’s supporters could barely contain themselves as they listened to the final tally, which was read by General Secretary, Dr. Jerome Walcott, which gave Holder 271 to Haynes’ 50 votes. There were two spoiled votes. A victorious Holder entered the hall flanked by his supporters, as they danced to the now popular “Champion” by DJ Bravo of cricketing fame.
Arthur, an attorney-at-law, recalled that it was back in 2010 that he ran in the constituency unopposed, and was beaten at the polls by a mere 39 votes. He said he was not daunted, but instead kept with the people of St. Michael Central.
He told the standing room only school hall that hindsight is 20/20, and assured that a repeat of 2013 could never happen again, since there will be a different team on the platform. He said loyalty, trustworthiness and integrity are characteristics of which he will never stray.
Holder, in his victory speech, thanked his wife and his campaign team for their support. He also thanked Haynes for ensuring that the democratic process continues to be maintained. He also stressed that there is no animosity in the party. “And there will never be any, because this team has to be unified in order to achieve the stated goals of the party. So there is no animosity between his team and my team.”
Haynes in response offered his full support to Holder. “We will work as a unit, so let it be said to all and sundry that this is a unified St. Michael Central team.”
Holder turned his attention to current DLP representative for the constituency of St. Michael Central, Steven Blackett, saying he has a lot to answer to for the upheaval at the Child Care Board. He said he must also answer why the pockets of poverty on the island continues to increase. (JH)