The resignations of two government ministers, Marsha Caddle and Corey Lane, have triggered a wave of mixed reactions from voters in the constituencies they represent — St Michael South Central and The City of Bridgetown — with some expressing disappointment while others see opportunities for improved representation.
On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that Marsha Caddle, MP for St Michael South Central and minister of industry, innovation, science and technology, had resigned from her post with immediate effect.
Corey Lane, City of Bridgetown MP and minister in the Office of the Attorney General responsible for Crime Prevention, also requested to be relieved of his Cabinet duties for “personal reasons”.
City residents expressed mixed views on Lane’s departure. While acknowledging that Lane has stepped away for personal reasons as the minister responsible for crime prevention, many respected his decision to step down.
Sherine, a resident of 14 years, voiced her support for Lane: “So far since the time I’ve been living here,” she stated. “I think he’s doing a good job as far as I see.”
Albert Joseph, an elderly resident, believes Lane’s resignation will allow him to focus more on constituency matters.
“It was a lot harder. It wasn’t an easy job,” Joseph remarked. He added that some residents feel their issues have not been adequately addressed under Lane’s tenure.
Joseph highlighted his own struggles with water access: “I need water in here. I need the water and I up and down at Water Works and I can’t get water,” he said, referring to the Barbados Water Authority. “I called him last time and he tell me that I should bring my ID card up; they will deal with that for me. I went up there and people still turning me back.”
Some residents believe that even without his ministerial duties, representing The City of Bridgetown remains an overwhelming task for a single MP. Two women on the outskirts of The City praised Lane’s responsiveness but described the constituency as too large for one representative.
“Bridgetown is very, very hard to deal with,” one woman said. “It’s very, very hard because it’s a big one. It’s big and the people in there ain’t easy. I must tell you they’re not easy.”
Another resident suggested splitting the constituency between two MPs: “You got [New] Orleans, you’ve got Chapman Lane . . . If he does for up here more than down there is a conflict. If he does look up down there more than up here is a conflict. It needs more than one [MP]. One up and one down there.”
She pointed to Lane’s predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, who delegated tasks but noted that even he faced criticism from constituents who felt neglected.
In Carrington Village, residents shared differing opinions about Marsha Caddle’s resignation. Some claimed her presence in their community was minimal outside election periods.
“We don’t care,” said a group of young men disappointed by her tenure. “None of the young people getting jobs; she not helping us. She made promises she didn’t keep.”
But Sherwood, another resident, praised Caddle’s efforts: “She has been doing a pretty good job in this area, you know, interacting with the youth when we have events and things out at the courts.” He hopes she will now focus more on her constituents.
Elderly residents outside Caddle’s constituency office described her assistance as selective but appreciated her willingness to help when approached directly.
Wendy Forde commented: “She’s a very nice lady, but she got to know why she’s doing these things. Most of them you hardly see until elections or if you go to the office sometimes you may see them or the secretary will talk to you.”
Wingrove Brathwaite, a coconut craftsman working along the highway, supported Caddle’s decision to resign.
“She has the right to do what she wants to do,” he said.
Although he has only met her during elections or at her office, Brathwaite described her as articulate and intelligent: “She’s an intelligent woman. I like to hear her speak . . . I wish her all the best in her new endeavours.”
louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb
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