S2.E7: Barbados to the Polls

Despite her Barbados Labour Party's near total control of parliament, Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley has called an early snap election citing a need to "unite" a "divided" country. What did that really mean? Is this early election merely a bit of political opportunism? Or is there actually a need for Mottley to seek a fresh mandate? And what is the outcome of this election likely to be? This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on January 9th, 2022. The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are: Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Professor of Political Science at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill. Her research areas include Governance and democracy in the English-speaking Caribbean, political party and elections campaign spending, elections in the English-speaking Caribbean, Women and politics in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Corruption in the Caribbean. Krystle Howell, a Certified Internal Auditor, a Member of the Thorne Commission on Local Governance, and an advocate for integrity and accountability. Peter Wickham, Director of the polling and research firm: Caribbean Development Research Services. He has done numerous electoral polls in Antigua and Barbuda, and elsewhere in the region. He is a commentator on Caribbean political and social affairs. Dr. Isaac Newton, a political analyst, campaign manager, and a public policy advisor. He is currently President of the firm, Paramount Communications. In Antigua and Barbuda, he has advised both ABLP and UPP governments. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.