2018 Barbadian general election
# 2018 Barbadian general election

General elections were held in Barbados on 24 May 2018. The result was a landslide victory for the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), which won all 30 seats in the House of Assembly, resulting in BLP leader Mia Mottley becoming the country's first female Prime Minister. The BLP's victory was the first time a party had won every seat in the House of Assembly. Previously, the most one-sided result for a Barbadian election had been in 1999, when the BLP won 26 of the 28 seats. The BLP's 73.5 percent vote share was also the highest on record.

The ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led by Freundel Stuart lost all 16 seats, the worst defeat of a sitting government in Barbadian history. The DLP saw its vote share more than halve compared to the previous elections in 2013, with only one of its candidates receiving more than 40 percent of the vote. Stuart was defeated in his own constituency, receiving only 26.7 percent of the vote, the second time a sitting Prime Minister had lost their own seat. It was also the first time since independence that the constituency of St John, a traditionally DLP stronghold, was won by the BLP.

The election was fought primarily on the DLP's stewardship of the economy during its decade in power. The government had had to contend with numerous downgrades of its credit rating due to fallout from the global financial crisis. The BLP criticised the DLP over rising taxes and a declining standard of living, and promised numerous infrastructure upgrades if elected.

## Electoral system

The 30 members of the House of Assembly were elected by first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies.

## Candidates

A record 134 candidates from nine political parties contested the elections. Four of the smaller parties chose to fight together under the 'Coalition of United Parties' banner.

## Results

| | Barbados Labour Party | 112,955 | 73.47 | 30 | +16 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic Labour Party | 33,551 | 21.82 | 0 | –16 |
| | Solutions Barbados | 3,772 | 2.45 | 0 | New |
| | United Progressive Party | 1,913 | 1.24 | 0 | New |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | 340 | 0.22 | 0 | New |
| | Bajan Free Party | 107 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 |
| | People's Democratic Congress | 55 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 |
| | Kingdom Government of Barbados | 26 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 |
| | Progressive Conservative Party | 10 | 0.01 | 0 | New |
| | Independents | 1,009 | 0.66 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 153,738 | 100.00 | 30 | 0 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 153,738 | 99.70 | | |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 455 | 0.30 | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | 154,193 | 100.00 | | |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 258,901 | 59.56 | | |
| Source: Parliament of Barbados ||||||

### By constituency

**Christ Church East**

Christ Church East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Wilfred Abrahams | 4,432 | 73.9 | +30.6 |
| | DLP | Denis Lowe | 1,350 | 22.5 | -34.2 |
| | SB | Ann Weatherhead | 161 | 2.7 | new |
| | UPP | Victor Knight | 53 | 0.9 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,082 | 51.4 | +38.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,996 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +32.4 | |

**Christ Church East Central**

Christ Church East Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Ryan Straughn | 4,062 | 71.2 | +30.2 |
| | DLP | Ronald Jones | 1,334 | 23.4 | -35.6 |
| | SB | Scott Weatherhead | 217 | 3.8 | new |
| | UPP | Ogeji Dottin | 93 | 1.6 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,728 | 47.8 | +29.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,706 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +32.9 | |

**Christ Church South**

Christ Church South :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Ralph Thorne | 3,094 | 70.4 | +27.1 |
| | DLP | John Boyce | 1,120 | 25.5 | -30.4 |
| | SB | Julie Chalbaud | 111 | 2.5 | new |
| | UPP | Nadja Willis | 28 | 0.6 | new |
| | Kingdom Government of Barbados | Steve Hunte | 26 | 0.6 | -0.2 |
| | Independent | Buddy Larrier | 14 | 0.3 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,974 | 44.9 | +32.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,393 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +28.8 | |

**Christ Church West**

Christ Church West :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | William Duguid | 3,080 | 69.6 | +17.8 |
| | DLP | Verla Depeiza | 759 | 17.1 | -22.8 |
| | SB | Irvin Belgrave | 589 | 13.3 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,321 | 52.4 | +40.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,428 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +20.3 | |

**Christ Church West Central**

Christ Church West Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Adrian Forde | 3,891 | 74.3 | +32.5 |
| | DLP | Stephen Lashley | 1,131 | 21.6 | -36.6 |
| | SB | Kenneth Lewis | 170 | 3.2 | new |
| | UPP | Ria Riley | 45 | 0.9 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,760 | 52.7 | +36.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,237 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +34.5 | |

**City of Bridgetown**

City of Bridgetown :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Jeffrey Bostic | 2,781 | 73.6 | +22.0 |
| | DLP | Henderson Williams | 793 | 21.0 | -27.4 |
| | SB | Fallon Best | 76 | 2.0 | new |
| | UPP | Lynette Eastmond | 63 | 1.7 | new |
| | Independent | Natalie Harewood | 54 | 1.4 | new |
| | Progressive Conservative Party | Rodney Nurse | 10 | 0.3 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,988 | 52.6 | +49.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,777 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +24.7 | |

**St. Andrew**

St. Andrew :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | George Payne | 3,512 | 74.5 | +21.9 |
| | DLP | V. Irene Sandiford-Garner | 1,045 | 22.2 | -25.2 |
| | SB | Cherie Pounder | 68 | 1.4 | new |
| | UPP | Roli Roachford | 53 | 1.1 | new |
| | Independent | Stephen Pollard | 35 | 0.7 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,467 | 52.3 | +47.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,713 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +23.5 | |

**St. George North**

St. George North :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Gline Clarke | 4,779 | 80.8 | +21.4 |
| | DLP | Jepter Ince | 745 | 12.6 | -27.9 |
| | SB | Grenville Phillips | 264 | 4.5 | new |
| | UPP | Everton Holligan | 124 | 2.1 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,034 | 68.2 | +49.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,912 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +24.6 | |

**St. George South**

St. George South :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Dwight Sutherland | 5,363 | 79.3 | +24.2 |
| | DLP | Esther Byer-Suckoo | 1,100 | 16.3 | -28.6 |
| | SB | Andrew Banfield | 193 | 2.9 | new |
| | UPP | Craig Harewood | 69 | 1.0 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Doris Ramratty-Barrow | 34 | 0.5 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,263 | 63.1 | +52.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,759 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +26.4 | |

**St. James Central**

St. James Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Kerrie Symmonds | 3,577 | 78.2 | +28.0 |
| | DLP | George Connolly | 733 | 16.0 | -32.7 |
| | SB | Daniel Chalbaud | 123 | 2.7 | new |
| | UPP | Wendell Callender | 64 | 1.4 | new |
| | Independent | Joseph Jordan | 49 | 1.1 | new |
| | People's Democratic Congress | Eric Marshall | 28 | 0.6 | -0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,844 | 62.2 | +60.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,574 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +30.4 | |

**St. James North**

St. James North :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Edmund Hinkson | 3,716 | 83.7 | +29.1 |
| | DLP | Harcourt Husbands | 592 | 13.3 | -32.0 |
| | SB | David Waldron | 76 | 1.7 | new |
| | UPP | Granville Cobham | 54 | 1.2 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,124 | 70.4 | +61.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,438 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +30.6 | |

**St. James South**

St. James South :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Cheryl Husbands | 4,012 | 68.1 | +24.7 |
| | DLP | Donville Inniss | 1,674 | 28.4 | -28.1 |
| | SB | Jacqueline Alleyne-Worrell | 103 | 1.7 | new |
| | UPP | Christal Austin | 101 | 1.7 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,338 | 39.7 | +26.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,890 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +26.4 | |

**St. John**

St. John :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Charles Griffith | 2,983 | 57.9 | +36.6 |
| | DLP | George Pilgrim | 1,598 | 31.0 | -47.7 |
| | UPP | Hudson Griffith | 308 | 6.0 | new |
| | Independent | Leroy McClean | 155 | 3.0 | new |
| | SB | Cherone Martindale | 86 | 1.7 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Derek Went | 22 | 0.4 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,385 | 26.9 | -30.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,152 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +42.1 | |

**St. Joseph**

St. Joseph :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Dale Marshall | 3,391 | 70.6 | +17.1 |
| | Independent | Randall Rouse | 700 | 14.6 | new |
| | DLP | Dennis Holder | 588 | 12.2 | -34.3 |
| | SB | Jennifer Highland | 125 | 2.6 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,691 | 56.0 | +49.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,804 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | n/a | |

**St. Lucy**

St. Lucy :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Peter Phillips | 3,959 | 66.4 | +20.0 |
| | DLP | Denis St. Kellman | 1,789 | 30.0 | -23.6 |
| | SB | John Carter | 121 | 2.0 | new |
| | UPP | Wayne Griffith | 69 | 1.2 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Richard Roach | 27 | 0.5 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,170 | 36.4 | +29.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,965 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +21.8 | |

**St. Michael Central**

St. Michael Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Arthur Holder | 2,948 | 73.6 | +24.1 |
| | DLP | Steven Blackett | 905 | 22.6 | -27.9 |
| | UPP | Richard Barrow | 69 | 1.7 | new |
| | SB | Robert Toussaint | 62 | 1.5 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Glenville Evelyn | 20 | 0.5 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,043 | 51.0 | +50.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,004 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +26.0 | |

**St. Michael East**

St. Michael East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Trevor Prescod | 3,408 | 71.5 | +20.2 |
| | DLP | Nicholas Alleyne | 1,147 | 24.1 | -24.7 |
| | SB | Betty Howell | 108 | 2.3 | new |
| | UPP | Paul Forte | 47 | 1.0 | new |
| | Independent | Iramar Daisley | 37 | 0.8 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Catherine Yarde | 20 | 0.4 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,261 | 47.4 | +44.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,767 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +22.5 | |

**St. Michael North**

St. Michael North :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Ronald Toppin | 3,518 | 72.3 | +20.8 |
| | DLP | Kim Tudor | 1,132 | 23.3 | -24.4 |
| | UPP | Maria Phillips | 99 | 2.0 | new |
| | SB | Angela Gibbs | 72 | 1.5 | new |
| | People's Democratic Congress | Mark Adamson | 27 | 0.6 | -0.2 |
| | Independent | Lesloyed Bishop | 15 | 0.3 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,386 | 49.1 | +45.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,863 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +22.6 | |

**St. Michael North East**

St. Michael North East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Mia Mottley | 4,553 | 87.2 | +18.3 |
| | DLP | Patrick Todd | 500 | 9.6 | -21.5 |
| | SB | Kemar Stuart | 133 | 2.5 | new |
| | Bajan Free Party | Enlou Frere | 37 | 0.7 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,053 | 77.6 | +39.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,223 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +19.9 | |

**St. Michael North West**

St. Michael North West :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Neil Rowe | 2,489 | 55.6 | +18.9 |
| | DLP | Christopher Sinckler | 1,991 | 44.4 | -18.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 498 | 11.1 | -15.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,480 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +18.9 | |

**St. Michael South**

St. Michael South :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Kirk Humphery | 2,969 | 70.0 | +35.3 |
| | DLP | Freundel Stuart | 1,083 | 25.5 | -38.7 |
| | SB | Paul Gibson | 104 | 2.5 | new |
| | UPP | Sandra Corbin | 57 | 1.3 | new |
| | Bajan Free Party | Alex Mitchell | 31 | 0.7 | -0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,886 | 44.4 | +14.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,244 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +37.0 | |

**St. Michael South Central**

St. Michael South Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Marsha Caddle | 2,881 | 67.6 | +20.8 |
| | DLP | Richard Sealy | 1,101 | 25.8 | -27.3 |
| | UPP | David Gill | 198 | 4.6 | new |
| | SB | Alan Springer | 81 | 1.9 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,780 | 41.8 | +35.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,261 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +24.0 | |

**St. Michael South East**

St. Michael South East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Santia Bradshaw | 3,803 | 75.6 | +25.5 |
| | DLP | Rodney Grant | 1,099 | 21.8 | -28.1 |
| | SB | Arlene Bourne | 105 | 2.1 | new |
| | UPP | Veronica Price | 26 | 0.5 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,704 | 53.7 | +53.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,033 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +26.8 | |

**St. Michael West**

St. Michael West :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Joseph Atherley | 3,214 | 76.8 | +28.3 |
| | DLP | Michael Carrington | 838 | 20.0 | -31.4 |
| | SB | Lana Toussaint | 55 | 1.3 | new |
| | UPP | Patsie Nurse | 45 | 1.1 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Neil Holder | 32 | 0.8 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,376 | 56.8 | +53.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,184 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +29.8 | |

**St. Michael West Central**

St. Michael West Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | George Gooding-Edghill | 3,291 | 75.6 | +29.0 |
| | DLP | James Paul | 865 | 19.9 | -31.1 |
| | SB | Angela Edey | 125 | 2.9 | new |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Steven Belgrave | 46 | 1.1 | new |
| | UPP | Herman Lowe | 29 | 0.7 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,426 | 55.7 | +51.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,356 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +30.0 | |

**St. Peter**

St. Peter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Colin Jordan | 4,632 | 81.5 | +17.4 |
| | DLP | Dave Cumberbatch | 911 | 16.0 | -18.6 |
| | Barbados Integrity Movement | Lynroy Scantlebury | 139 | 2.4 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,721 | 65.5 | +36.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,682 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +18.0 | |

**St. Philip North**

St. Philip North :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Sonia Browne | 3,613 | 61.0 | +28.2 |
| | DLP | Michael Lashley | 2,015 | 34.0 | -33.2 |
| | SB | Rosaline Corbin | 203 | 3.4 | new |
| | UPP | Nigel Newton | 92 | 1.6 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,598 | 27.0 | -7.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,923 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +30.7 | |

**St. Philip South**

St. Philip South :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Indar Weir | 4,656 | 71.1 | +24.1 |
| | DLP | Adriel Brathwaite | 1,488 | 22.7 | -30.3 |
| | SB | Ronald Lorde | 239 | 3.6 | new |
| | UPP | Bruce Hennis | 127 | 1.9 | new |
| | Bajan Free Party | John Scantlebury | 39 | 0.6 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,168 | 48.4 | +42.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,549 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +27.2 | |

**St. Philip West**

St. Philip West :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | John King | 4,323 | 66.9 | +28.6 |
| | DLP | David Estwick | 1,924 | 29.8 | -31.9 |
| | SB | Leighton Greenidge | 212 | 3.3 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,399 | 37.1 | +13.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,459 | | |
| | BLP gain from DLP | BLP gain from DLP | Swing | +30.2 | |

**St. Thomas**

St. Thomas :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | BLP | Cynthia Forde | 5,038 | 85.7 | +20.1 |
| | DLP | Rolerick Hinds | 635 | 10.8 | -23.6 |
| | SB | Pauline Corbin | 206 | 3.5 | new |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,403 | 74.9 | +43.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,879 | | |
| | BLP hold | BLP hold | Swing | +21.8 | |

## Aftermath

One week after the elections, Joseph Atherley, MP for St. Michael West, crossed the floor to become the House of Assembly's sole opposition member, citing concerns about democracy. He was subsequently appointed Leader of the Opposition. Originally sitting as an independent, he set up his own party, the People's Party for Democracy and Development.

### 2020 St George North by-election

A by-election was held in the constituency of St George North on 11 November 2020 following the resignation of Gline Clarke, who had represented the constituency for 26 years, to accept the post of Barbadian High Commissioner to Canada. It was the first by-election to take place since the 2018 general election. Toni Moore retained the seat for the BLP.

