Government Change in Barbados

[Chicokid]

Barbados leader loses bid for fourth term

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Reuters): Barbadians voted for change in a general election on Tuesday, denying the Barbados Labour Party an unprecedented fourth term and giving the Democratic Labour Party the nod to form the next government.

Outgoing Prime Minister Owen Arthur conceded defeat shortly after midnight, after official but partial results showed the DLP led by lawyer David Thompson taking a strong lead in the vote in the former British colony.

The results early on Wednesday had the DLP winning 20 of the Caribbean island's 30 constituencies, with eight going to the former ruling party and three others still in dispute, election officials said.

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Like alot of these Caribbean Governments changing in recent times. First was St. Lucia, then Bahamas, after Jamaica, now Barbados. Trinidad re-elected its Government. Belize election is schedule for February 7th. We'll see how that goes. Grenada's own is comming soon as well.

[Manu]

Yeah....only Trini....what gives? I'm seeing changes in Jamaica. Even in crime... but it's still too high!

[Justice]

It seems John Compton started a trend (RIP). If this continues only Patrick Manning will sit on Caricom as a part of the old guard.

[Manu]

Kind of off topic but I heard a guy on the radio the other day bashing JLP for always having a Prime Minister from the same constituency while PNP has PM from different constituencies. Poor soul.

For those who don't know, the PNP has more "safe" seats than the JLP. You normally put your Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister in safe seats so that they can have a seat in Parliament. A Minister of Government can not be appointed unless he is in parliament i.e. wins his seat which is why it makes sense to have them in safe seats. As for the leader of the opposition, you will always want him in parliament so you gave him a safe seat too and even in the advent of a victory, he'll be the Prime Minister.