Richard Sealy, former tourism minister and long-time Democratic Labour Party (DLP) representative St Michael South Central, is mounting a comeback bid in the upcoming general elections, vowing to leverage his experience and local connections to reclaim the seat he lost in 2018.
The DLP candidate, named this week in the first slate of candidates to contest the 2027 poll, said the time is right for his return to Parliament.
Sealy represented the constituency for 15 years before being unseated by the Barbados Labour Party in 2018 and failing to retake it in 2022.
“I certainly feel a lot better than I did the last two occasions, for sure and I’m confident that with the appropriate amount of work, all will be well in St Michael South Central for the Democratic Labour Party,” Sealy said in an interview with Barbados TODAY.
Sealy, who served as tourism minister in the eight-year Freundel Stuart administration, declared that there is much work to be done in the riding he will be contending for and that he is the man for the job, since, according to him, his long-standing relationship with constituents and deep understanding of their needs remained unchanged.
“I had the privilege to represent the constituency for 15 years, and we were able to initiate several programmes and infrastructural projects. There’s work that still needs to be completed,” he said.
“My relationship with the various communities is strong. I’m still very close to the constituents, and I believe I have what it takes to be an effective representative.”
Sealy dismissed any notion that his time in politics has passed, citing his experience and the value of mentorship within the DLP as key reasons for his return.
“There are a few of us with experience to offer the young brigade. There’s some good talent on offer, and I think a few of us still have to be there to guide from the inside,” he said.
The DLP’s candidate lineup so far boasts a mix of seasoned politicians and new faces, which Sealy praised as a strategic move to ensure the party’s relevance and long-term success.
“The mix is more emphasis on the young than the experienced, and that’s fine. Solving Barbados’ problems is not going to be a quick fix. Having persons with more in front of them than behind them makes sense,” he said. “Only a few of us should be there to guide, advise, and also effectively represent.”
Although Sealy avoided labelling his former seat a “sure win”, he is not downplaying his chances.
“I don’t like to use that term. I’ve always gone into the process respecting it,” he said. “But I certainly feel a lot better than I did the last two occasions. I’m confident that with the appropriate amount of work, all will be well in St. Michael South Central for the Democratic Labour Party.”
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