The Friends of Democracy (FOD) party officially launched its campaign for Barbados’ 2026 general elections on Friday, presenting twelve candidates in a strategic bid to establish parliamentary opposition and prevent another unilateral government. The party’s leadership submitted election deposits at the Treasury, marking their formal entry into the political arena.
FOD President Karina Goodridge, who will contest the St Philip West constituency, articulated the party’s social democratic orientation with emphasis on restoring public confidence in governance. “Barbadians have manifestly lost trust in their parliamentary representatives,” Goodridge stated, identifying infrastructure deterioration, crime escalation, and housing shortages as critical voter concerns requiring immediate address.
The party’s electoral strategy consciously acknowledges political realities, focusing on securing sufficient seats to constitute official opposition rather than outright victory. General Secretary Steve Blackett, formerly of the Democratic Labour Party, outlined a targeted campaign involving twelve constituency-specific meetings, four major rallies, and eight national gatherings. “Our fundamental objective is to ensure a robust, dynamic opposition exists following the election,” Blackett explained, while acknowledging potential for expanded influence should voter sentiment unexpectedly favor the new party.
Candidates emphasized constituency-level priorities alongside national issues. St Philip North candidate Anya Lorde, leveraging her legal background in family and domestic violence cases, pledged to implement community support initiatives and youth development programs utilizing underused public spaces. Omar Smith, St Philip South candidate and agricultural spokesperson, highlighted cost-of-living reduction through improved farming practices as central to his platform, connecting agricultural reform to public health improvement and reduced import dependency.
The party’s emergence responds to growing public dissatisfaction with infrastructure quality, public safety, and housing accessibility, positioning itself as an alternative for voters seeking diversified representation in Barbados’ parliamentary system.