At the second annual conference of Barbados’ opposition-aligned Friends of Democracy (FOD) party, party president and sitting Senator Karina Goodridge used her keynote address to place two pressing national issues — violent crime and skyrocketing cost of living — at the top of the island’s policy agenda, warning that failure to address these threats will put Barbados’ long-term national security and economic stability at severe risk. The conference also served as an occasion for internal party leadership elections, where Goodridge successfully retained her position as head of the organization, with a new executive committee formally confirmed during the event.
In her address, Goodridge pulled no punches on the growing crime crisis gripping Barbadian communities, pointing to sharp rises in gang activity, gun-related violence and widespread public anxiety over personal and family safety. She argued that no parent in a functional society should live in constant fear that their child could become the next victim of violence, and no neighborhood should be forced to endure dozens of preventable deaths before the national government steps in with meaningful intervention. Goodridge stressed that building safer communities requires far more than just increased law enforcement presence; meaningful, long-term change demands targeted investments in youth opportunity, support for stronger family structures, expanded educational access and pro-growth economic policies that give young Barbadians a reason to hope for the future instead of turning to criminal activity.
Turning to widespread economic strain across the island, Goodridge highlighted the everyday struggles ordinary households face as the cost of basic goods and services continues to climb. She added that small businesses, long the backbone of Barbados’ economy, are currently operating in an increasingly hostile environment that makes both survival and expansion out of reach for many. Beyond household budgets and small business challenges, she drew attention to the growing crisis of youth underemployment, noting that too many young Barbadians are unable to find work that matches their training, skills and career aspirations. She also echoed widespread public concern over access to affordable healthcare, stable housing and the shrinking economic prospects for younger and future generations of Barbadians.
Goodridge also weighed in on the country’s expanding regional integration agenda, responding to the recent government announcement that eligible Barbadian citizens will be able to use their national identification cards for travel between Barbados and Guyana starting next month. While welcoming the move toward easier regional travel, Goodridge emphasized that the government must prioritize policies that ensure ordinary Barbadians can actually take advantage of these new opportunities. Specifically, she called on negotiators working on expanded regional travel frameworks to prioritize measures including discounted travel rates and lower airfares that make cross-border movement accessible to more than just wealthy citizens.
“As new opportunities open up across the Caribbean through deeper regional integration and shared economic growth, we have a responsibility to make sure every Barbadian is prepared, empowered and positioned to claim those benefits for themselves,” Goodridge said. She added that Barbados must be ready to take a leadership role and compete effectively within the CARICOM regional bloc, stressing that the country’s people should never be reduced to passive spectators in integration arrangements that are meant to serve them.
To address the full range of challenges facing Barbados, Goodridge confirmed that FOD will pursue innovative, unconventional policy solutions that move beyond tired, ineffective approaches that have failed to move the needle on the country’s most pressing issues. Alongside Goodridge’s retention of the party presidency, the conference confirmed the full new FOD executive committee: Ricardo Harrison, Pastor Matthew Thorne and Ricardo Andwele Williams will serve as vice-presidents, Steven Blackett takes on the role of general secretary, T Felicia Corbin is the new general treasurer, Anya Lorde will serve as assistant secretary, and Sandra Estwick will take on the role of assistant treasurer.