In a significant pre-election gathering, the Friends of Democracy (FOD) party presented a comprehensive policy platform addressing economic, social, and governance reforms during a Thursday night rally in St. Michael. Party leader Karina Goodridge, who is contesting the St Philip West seat, positioned her party as essential for national progress, emphasizing the critical need for a robust parliamentary opposition as Barbados approaches its next budget cycle.
Goodridge articulated that the party’s mission transcends mere seat acquisition, focusing instead on instituting rigorous legislative scrutiny to achieve balanced national decision-making. She introduced a distinctive policy proposal requiring the government to pay citizens interest on owed funds, framing it as a matter of fiscal fairness. “When the government owes you, the people, money, they should pay you back with interest. The current asymmetry in accountability is unacceptable,” she declared.
Economic strategy featured prominently in the address, with Goodridge advocating for aggressive pursuit of foreign investment and revenue stream diversification. She identified health services as a pivotal growth sector, proposing the establishment of a state-of-the-art hospital to simultaneously advance medical tourism, generate employment, and enhance domestic healthcare capacity.
The FOD leader emphasized democratic engagement through strengthened public consultation mechanisms in policy formulation. “Any good government should know that they should be consulting with you,” she told supporters, stressing that citizen participation must be integral to governance.
Crime reduction and youth engagement emerged as urgent priorities, with Goodridge linking criminal activity to potential economic damage, particularly to the tourism sector. She proposed legislative reforms, including stricter laws, and social interventions such as reviving boot camps and mentorship programs. A novel micro-enterprise proposal involved creating organized ‘coconut water vendor villages’ to formalize roadside vending, simultaneously boosting tourism and improving sanitation.
Addressing youth employment, Goodridge highlighted the disconnect between tertiary education and workforce integration. She recommended government-brokered partnerships with international firms to expand remote work opportunities, ensuring practical application of academic qualifications.
The rally also featured policy contributions from other FOD candidates. Dominique Yorke (Christ Church East Central) introduced the Small Enterprise Empowerment Department (SEED) program, targeting youth entrepreneurship through a structured $1.5 million annual fund providing $15,000 loans with built-in National Insurance Scheme protections.
General Secretary Steve Blackett detailed Value Added Tax (VAT) reform proposals, suggesting replacing current VAT on food with a flat 16% reduction tax to decrease consumer costs by approximately 19%. He pledged vigorous parliamentary advocacy for this measure if elected.
In perhaps the most controversial policy position, St Michael North candidate Bertnul Harrison advocated reinstating capital punishment for severe crimes, referencing hanging, electric chair, or gas chamber as potential methods.
Concluding the event, Goodridge framed the upcoming February 11 election as a decisive moment for parliamentary balance and policy direction, urging voters to support change: “We deserve better.”