Walters ready to retake seat for the DLP

Ryan Walters is “ready to reclaim” the St Michael North seat for the Democratic Labour Party. 

The candidate, in the upcoming General Election, made that declaration while addressing supporters and residents at the official opening of the St Michael North West Constituency Office Wednesday.

Walters said his constituency manifesto, which is also completed and the newly opened, fully operational constituency office signal his readiness. 

He noted that months of canvassing and direct engagement have helped to shape a practical, people-centred development plan for the area.

“I’m so honoured to be able to open this office today on the birthday of our Founding Father . . . it also gave us an opportunity to launch our campaign for St. Michael North West Democratic Labour Party branch. And we signal that we were ready. We signal that we were waiting for this moment.

“And not only to put up posters, not only to put up billboards, but we were ready because we have a plan to rescue St. Michael North West and this country. So do not be distracted by the conversations of readiness. Because the true test of readiness is the message and the agenda that we plan for the people,” he told those gathered at the Bottom of Free Hill, Black Rock, St Michael.

Walters stressed that while campaign visibility and promotional material are important, sustained engagement with residents remains his top priority.

“We have canvassed the constituency. We have gotten to know people one-on-one. And I must say that my team has been so encouraging. I am confident that enough persons in this constituency know me personally or know of me. I am confident because we have walked the length and breadth of this constituency. And we have met as many people as we could have met. I am confident that they are ready to return this seat to the Democratic Labour Party. Because the level of conversation and engagement that we have been getting has blown my mind.”

According to Walters, residents are eager for a renewed vision; both for the constituency and for the party nationally.

“People are engaged in conversation about what they would want to see Barbados look like. What they would want to see a new Democratic Labour Party look like. It’s time for us to tell the constituents what we are going to do for them. And to tell Barbados what we are going to do for the country.”

He said the constituency manifesto is a direct reflection of the concerns raised during those discussions, with particular focus on youth and senior citizens.

“Our manifesto is ready for this constituency. We will deal with the youth. We will deal with the elderly. Because over 50% of the residents of this constituency are over the age of 55 years. It is a real thing, a real problem that is developing if we do not address this in this constituency and countrywide. But we have a plan to assist and uplift our elders in this community. And we have a plan to develop the youth in this constituency. We are going to be talking to the people. We already know that the MP has not done anything.”

While confident of victory, Walters acknowledged the work ahead and urged supporters to remain active throughout the campaign.

“We will win, but it will not be easy. I need every single one of you from this constituency or those who are visiting to come back and work with us at least once… If you are a resident of St Michael North West, every week, every other day, every three days, whenever you get time, come to the office to find out what we are doing.”

He also underscored his commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in serving constituents.

“We will bring back those programmes that shine, and we will start new programs. We will ensure that the constituency office is accessible and it is open. We will not ask persons if they voted when they come to the office. We will not try to find out where they stand politically before we assist them. That is not my way, and that is not the Democratic Labour Party’s way.”

Walters further explained that plans for the constituency office long predated the announcement of the snap election.

“I shared with the media in December at our Christmas party that we were getting ready to represent North West. And that is where we were opening the constituency office a year earlier than elections were due. Because we weren’t concerned about how much it would cost us to run it. We weren’t concerned about how we were going to staff it. We were concerned with getting a space that allowed persons to come walk up to those steps and speak with me or register a concern that we could address on their behalf,” the DLP candidate said. (PR)