In a surprising turn of events, former Member of Parliament Michael Lashley made a notable appearance at the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) 86th Annual Conference on Saturday afternoon. The seasoned politician, who represented the St Philip North constituency for three consecutive terms under the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) banner, was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers as he entered Queen’s Park. His presence at the event, held just months after the DLP confirmed he would not contest the upcoming general election, has ignited widespread speculation about his political future. In April, the opposition party announced attorney-at-law Simon Clarke, a political newcomer, as their candidate for St Philip North. While Lashley has remained silent about his next steps, his unexpected attendance at the BLP conference has fueled discussions across Barbados’ political landscape, leaving many to wonder if a party shift is on the horizon.