Friends of Democracy Urged to Build Trust Among Barbadians

The Friends of Democracy must focus on earning the trust of Barbadians through integrity, discipline and meaningful engagement if it hopes to grow into a lasting political force, says sociologist Patricia White.

Addressing the party’s annual general meeting yesterday at Hotel Casa Grande, Oldbury, St Philip, White told members that while the movement had achieved a significant milestone by securing representation in Parliament through the appointment of party president Karina Goodridge to the Senate, the real challenge lay in converting that breakthrough into sustained public confidence.

Speaking under the theme From Baby Steps To The Historic Claiming Of Parliament Steps,

White described the moment as “evolutionary”, noting that Barbados’ political landscape had long been dominated by the traditional two-party system, making it difficult for alternative political movements to gain meaningful traction.

“For decades, the political landscape of this country has largely been shaped by a two-party tradition, deeply woven into the fabric of our national identity. Generations of Barbadians grew up believing that governance could only realistically emerge from one of two established political camps,” she said.

White argued that the appointment of Goodridge to the Senate represented more than a personal achievement, describing it as a significant moment in Barbados’ political development.

“The appointment of the president of the party to the Senate of Barbados represents more than an individual achievement. It represents a national milestone. It signals Barbados is evolving politically,” she said.

According to White, the achievement demonstrated that alternative voices could now participate meaningfully in national governance rather than remaining on the fringes of political discourse.

She said the journey had not been without challenges, including ridicule, criticism and scepticism, but maintained that meaningful political change often begins with small, determined steps.

“Progress does not only begin with giant leaps. Sometimes progress begins with baby steps, a conversation, a meeting, a small group of people gathered around a vision, a belief that Barbados could think differently, a belief that citizens deserve more participation, more accountability, more inclusion, and more innovation in national leadership,” White said.

While celebrating the party’s progress, she cautioned members against viewing Senate representation as an end in itself.

“The real question is, what will be done with that space? What will be done in that space? It must be about an occupying purpose. It must be about improving the lives of people,” White said.

She contended that Barbados was facing a series of pressing challenges, including the high cost of living, crime, youth uncertainty, mental health concerns, social inequality, climate vulnerability and growing public frustration with governance. These issues, she said, required serious policy solutions rather than political rhetoric.