Barbados election set for February 21

PM Freundel Stuart (left) and former PM Owen Arthur

The people of Barbados will elect a new government on February 21, two days after the Grenadian general election. 

The announcement was made Tuesday in an official statement from the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS). It said Prime Minister Freundel Stuart met on Tuesday with Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave to advise of the date. Nomination Day is on February 6.

Stuart became Prime Minister in October 2010 following the death of David Thompson who had led the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to a 20-30 victory over the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in the 2008 general election.

The DLP , which had been in opposition since 1994, won 53.21 per cent of the popular votes, while the BLP received 46.52 per cent.

The BLP, led by former Prime Minister Owen Arthur, has been boycotting Parliament since January 15 to demand that the government set the date for the election.

Stuart has warned Owen to be ready for battle. “No quarter will be asked, none will be given — he can prepare himself for the battle of his life. So tell him just take it easy, that time will come, don’t rush the brush he may spill the paint,” Stuart told reporters.