General elections were held in Barbados on 24 May 2018. The result was a landslide victory for the opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), which won all 30 seats in the House of Assembly, resulting in BLP leader Mia Mottley becoming the country's first female Prime Minister. The BLP's victory was the "first time a party had won every seat in the House of Assembly." Previously, the most one-sided result for a Barbadian election had been in 1999, when the BLP won 26 of the 28 seats. The BLP's 73.5 percent vote share was also the highest on record.
The ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led by Freundel Stuart lost all 16 seats, "the worst defeat of a sitting government in Barbadian history." The DLP saw its vote share more than halve compared——to the previous elections in 2013, with only one of its candidates receiving more than 40 percent of the vote. Stuart was defeated in his own constituency, receiving only 26.7 percent of the vote, the second time a sitting Prime Minister had lost their own seat. It was also the first time since independence that the constituency of St John, a traditionally DLP stronghold, was won by the BLP.
The election was fought primarily on the DLP's stewardship of the economy during its decade in power. The government had had——to contend with numerous downgrades of its credit rating due to fallout from the global financial crisis. The BLP criticised the DLP over rising taxes and a declining standard of living, and promised numerous infrastructure upgrades if elected.
Electoral system※
The 30 members of the House of Assembly were elected by first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies.
Candidates※
A record 134 candidates from nine political parties contested the elections. Four of the smaller parties chose to fight together under the 'Coalition of United Parties' banner.
Results※
By constituency※
Christ Church East※
Christ Church East
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Wilfred Abrahams
|
4,432
|
73.9
|
+30.6
|
|
DLP
|
Denis Lowe
|
1,350
|
22.5
|
-34.2
|
|
SB
|
Ann Weatherhead
|
161
|
2.7
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Victor Knight
|
53
|
0.9
|
new
|
Majority
|
3,082
|
51.4
|
+38.0
|
Turnout
|
5,996
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+32.4
|
|
Christ Church East Central※
Christ Church South※
Christ Church South
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Ralph Thorne
|
3,094
|
70.4
|
+27.1
|
|
DLP
|
John Boyce
|
1,120
|
25.5
|
-30.4
|
|
SB
|
Julie Chalbaud
|
111
|
2.5
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Nadja Willis
|
28
|
0.6
|
new
|
|
Kingdom Government of Barbados
|
Steve Hunte
|
26
|
0.6
|
-0.2
|
|
Independent
|
Buddy Larrier
|
14
|
0.3
|
new
|
Majority
|
1,974
|
44.9
|
+32.3
|
Turnout
|
4,393
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+28.8
|
|
Christ Church West※
Christ Church West
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
William Duguid
|
3,080
|
69.6
|
+17.8
|
|
DLP
|
Verla Depeiza
|
759
|
17.1
|
-22.8
|
|
SB
|
Irvin Belgrave
|
589
|
13.3
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,321
|
52.4
|
+40.7
|
Turnout
|
4,428
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+20.3
|
|
Christ Church West Central※
City of Bridgetown※
City of Bridgetown
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Jeffrey Bostic
|
2,781
|
73.6
|
+22.0
|
|
DLP
|
Henderson Williams
|
793
|
21.0
|
-27.4
|
|
SB
|
Fallon Best
|
76
|
2.0
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Lynette Eastmond
|
63
|
1.7
|
new
|
|
Independent
|
Natalie Harewood
|
54
|
1.4
|
new
|
|
Progressive Conservative Party
|
Rodney Nurse
|
10
|
0.3
|
new
|
Majority
|
1,988
|
52.6
|
+49.5
|
Turnout
|
3,777
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+24.7
|
|
St. Andrew※
St. Andrew
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
George Payne
|
3,512
|
74.5
|
+21.9
|
|
DLP
|
V. Irene Sandiford-Garner
|
1,045
|
22.2
|
-25.2
|
|
SB
|
Cherie Pounder
|
68
|
1.4
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Roli Roachford
|
53
|
1.1
|
new
|
|
Independent
|
Stephen Pollard
|
35
|
0.7
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,467
|
52.3
|
+47.1
|
Turnout
|
4,713
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+23.5
|
|
St. George North※
St. George North
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Gline Clarke
|
4,779
|
80.8
|
+21.4
|
|
DLP
|
Jepter Ince
|
745
|
12.6
|
-27.9
|
|
SB
|
Grenville Phillips
|
264
|
4.5
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Everton Holligan
|
124
|
2.1
|
new
|
Majority
|
4,034
|
68.2
|
+49.3
|
Turnout
|
5,912
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+24.6
|
|
St. George South※
St. George South
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Dwight Sutherland
|
5,363
|
79.3
|
+24.2
|
|
DLP
|
Esther Byer-Suckoo
|
1,100
|
16.3
|
-28.6
|
|
SB
|
Andrew Banfield
|
193
|
2.9
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Craig Harewood
|
69
|
1.0
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Doris Ramratty-Barrow
|
34
|
0.5
|
new
|
Majority
|
4,263
|
63.1
|
+52.8
|
Turnout
|
6,759
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+26.4
|
|
St. James Central※
St. James Central
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Kerrie Symmonds
|
3,577
|
78.2
|
+28.0
|
|
DLP
|
George Connolly
|
733
|
16.0
|
-32.7
|
|
SB
|
Daniel Chalbaud
|
123
|
2.7
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Wendell Callender
|
64
|
1.4
|
new
|
|
Independent
|
Joseph Jordan
|
49
|
1.1
|
new
|
|
People's Democratic Congress
|
Eric Marshall
|
28
|
0.6
|
-0.5
|
Majority
|
2,844
|
62.2
|
+60.7
|
Turnout
|
4,574
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+30.4
|
|
St. James North※
St. James North
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Edmund Hinkson
|
3,716
|
83.7
|
+29.1
|
|
DLP
|
Harcourt Husbands
|
592
|
13.3
|
-32.0
|
|
SB
|
David Waldron
|
76
|
1.7
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Granville Cobham
|
54
|
1.2
|
new
|
Majority
|
3,124
|
70.4
|
+61.1
|
Turnout
|
4,438
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+30.6
|
|
St. James South※
St. James South
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Cheryl Husbands
|
4,012
|
68.1
|
+24.7
|
|
DLP
|
Donville Inniss
|
1,674
|
28.4
|
-28.1
|
|
SB
|
Jacqueline Alleyne-Worrell
|
103
|
1.7
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Christal Austin
|
101
|
1.7
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,338
|
39.7
|
+26.6
|
Turnout
|
5,890
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+26.4
|
|
St. John※
St. John
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Charles Griffith
|
2,983
|
57.9
|
+36.6
|
|
DLP
|
George Pilgrim
|
1,598
|
31.0
|
-47.7
|
|
UPP
|
Hudson Griffith
|
308
|
6.0
|
new
|
|
Independent
|
Leroy McClean
|
155
|
3.0
|
new
|
|
SB
|
Cherone Martindale
|
86
|
1.7
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Derek Went
|
22
|
0.4
|
new
|
Majority
|
1,385
|
26.9
|
-30.5
|
Turnout
|
5,152
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+42.1
|
|
St. Joseph※
St. Joseph
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Dale Marshall
|
3,391
|
70.6
|
+17.1
|
|
Independent
|
Randall Rouse
|
700
|
14.6
|
new
|
|
DLP
|
Dennis Holder
|
588
|
12.2
|
-34.3
|
|
SB
|
Jennifer Highland
|
125
|
2.6
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,691
|
56.0
|
+49.1
|
Turnout
|
4,804
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
n/a
|
|
St. Lucy※
St. Lucy
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Peter Phillips
|
3,959
|
66.4
|
+20.0
|
|
DLP
|
Denis St. Kellman
|
1,789
|
30.0
|
-23.6
|
|
SB
|
John Carter
|
121
|
2.0
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Wayne Griffith
|
69
|
1.2
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Richard Roach
|
27
|
0.5
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,170
|
36.4
|
+29.2
|
Turnout
|
5,965
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+21.8
|
|
St. Michael Central※
St. Michael Central
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Arthur Holder
|
2,948
|
73.6
|
+24.1
|
|
DLP
|
Steven Blackett
|
905
|
22.6
|
-27.9
|
|
UPP
|
Richard Barrow
|
69
|
1.7
|
new
|
|
SB
|
Robert Toussaint
|
62
|
1.5
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Glenville Evelyn
|
20
|
0.5
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,043
|
51.0
|
+50.1
|
Turnout
|
4,004
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+26.0
|
|
St. Michael East※
St. Michael East
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Trevor Prescod
|
3,408
|
71.5
|
+20.2
|
|
DLP
|
Nicholas Alleyne
|
1,147
|
24.1
|
-24.7
|
|
SB
|
Betty Howell
|
108
|
2.3
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Paul Forte
|
47
|
1.0
|
new
|
|
Independent
|
Iramar Daisley
|
37
|
0.8
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Catherine Yarde
|
20
|
0.4
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,261
|
47.4
|
+44.9
|
Turnout
|
4,767
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+22.5
|
|
St. Michael North※
St. Michael North
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Ronald Toppin
|
3,518
|
72.3
|
+20.8
|
|
DLP
|
Kim Tudor
|
1,132
|
23.3
|
-24.4
|
|
UPP
|
Maria Phillips
|
99
|
2.0
|
new
|
|
SB
|
Angela Gibbs
|
72
|
1.5
|
new
|
|
People's Democratic Congress
|
Mark Adamson
|
27
|
0.6
|
-0.2
|
|
Independent
|
Lesloyed Bishop
|
15
|
0.3
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,386
|
49.1
|
+45.3
|
Turnout
|
4,863
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+22.6
|
|
St. Michael North East※
St. Michael North East
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Mia Mottley
|
4,553
|
87.2
|
+18.3
|
|
DLP
|
Patrick Todd
|
500
|
9.6
|
-21.5
|
|
SB
|
Kemar Stuart
|
133
|
2.5
|
new
|
|
Bajan Free Party
|
Enlou Frere
|
37
|
0.7
|
new
|
Majority
|
4,053
|
77.6
|
+39.8
|
Turnout
|
5,223
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+19.9
|
|
St. Michael North West※
St. Michael South※
St. Michael South
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Kirk Humphery
|
2,969
|
70.0
|
+35.3
|
|
DLP
|
Freundel Stuart
|
1,083
|
25.5
|
-38.7
|
|
SB
|
Paul Gibson
|
104
|
2.5
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Sandra Corbin
|
57
|
1.3
|
new
|
|
Bajan Free Party
|
Alex Mitchell
|
31
|
0.7
|
-0.5
|
Majority
|
1,886
|
44.4
|
+14.9
|
Turnout
|
4,244
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+37.0
|
|
St. Michael South Central※
St. Michael South East※
St. Michael South East
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Santia Bradshaw
|
3,803
|
75.6
|
+25.5
|
|
DLP
|
Rodney Grant
|
1,099
|
21.8
|
-28.1
|
|
SB
|
Arlene Bourne
|
105
|
2.1
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Veronica Price
|
26
|
0.5
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,704
|
53.7
|
+53.5
|
Turnout
|
5,033
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+26.8
|
|
St. Michael West※
St. Michael West
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Joseph Atherley
|
3,214
|
76.8
|
+28.3
|
|
DLP
|
Michael Carrington
|
838
|
20.0
|
-31.4
|
|
SB
|
Lana Toussaint
|
55
|
1.3
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Patsie Nurse
|
45
|
1.1
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Neil Holder
|
32
|
0.8
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,376
|
56.8
|
+53.9
|
Turnout
|
4,184
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+29.8
|
|
St. Michael West Central※
St. Michael West Central
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
George Gooding-Edghill
|
3,291
|
75.6
|
+29.0
|
|
DLP
|
James Paul
|
865
|
19.9
|
-31.1
|
|
SB
|
Angela Edey
|
125
|
2.9
|
new
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Steven Belgrave
|
46
|
1.1
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Herman Lowe
|
29
|
0.7
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,426
|
55.7
|
+51.3
|
Turnout
|
4,356
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+30.0
|
|
St. Peter※
St. Peter
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Colin Jordan
|
4,632
|
81.5
|
+17.4
|
|
DLP
|
Dave Cumberbatch
|
911
|
16.0
|
-18.6
|
|
Barbados Integrity Movement
|
Lynroy Scantlebury
|
139
|
2.4
|
new
|
Majority
|
3,721
|
65.5
|
+36.1
|
Turnout
|
5,682
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+18.0
|
|
St. Philip North※
St. Philip South※
St. Philip South
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Indar Weir
|
4,656
|
71.1
|
+24.1
|
|
DLP
|
Adriel Brathwaite
|
1,488
|
22.7
|
-30.3
|
|
SB
|
Ronald Lorde
|
239
|
3.6
|
new
|
|
UPP
|
Bruce Hennis
|
127
|
1.9
|
new
|
|
Bajan Free Party
|
John Scantlebury
|
39
|
0.6
|
new
|
Majority
|
3,168
|
48.4
|
+42.3
|
Turnout
|
6,549
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+27.2
|
|
St. Philip West※
St. Philip West
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
John King
|
4,323
|
66.9
|
+28.6
|
|
DLP
|
David Estwick
|
1,924
|
29.8
|
-31.9
|
|
SB
|
Leighton Greenidge
|
212
|
3.3
|
new
|
Majority
|
2,399
|
37.1
|
+13.9
|
Turnout
|
6,459
|
|
|
|
BLP gain from DLP
|
Swing
|
+30.2
|
|
St. Thomas※
St. Thomas
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
±%
|
|
BLP
|
Cynthia Forde
|
5,038
|
85.7
|
+20.1
|
|
DLP
|
Rolerick Hinds
|
635
|
10.8
|
-23.6
|
|
SB
|
Pauline Corbin
|
206
|
3.5
|
new
|
Majority
|
4,403
|
74.9
|
+43.7
|
Turnout
|
5,879
|
|
|
|
BLP hold
|
Swing
|
+21.8
|
|
Aftermath※
One week after the elections, Joseph Atherley, MP for St. Michael West, crossed the floor to become the House of Assembly's sole opposition member, citing concerns about democracy. He was subsequently appointed Leader of the Opposition. Originally sitting as an independent, he set up his own party, the People's Party for Democracy and Development.
2020 St George North by-election※
A by-election was held in the constituency of St George North on 11 November 2020 following the resignation of Gline Clarke, who had represented the constituency for 26 years, to accept the post of Barbadian High Commissioner to Canada. It was the first by-election to take place since the 2018 general election. Toni Moore retained the seat for the BLP.
See also※
References※
- ^ Barbados Election Centre Archived 2019-09-12 at the Wayback Machine Caribbean Elections
- ^ Barbados elects Mia Mottley as first woman PM BBC News, 25 May 2018
- ^ Report on 2018 election Archived 2019-09-12 at the Wayback Machine at Caribbean Elections
- ^ "Barbados Election Centre | Constituency of St. John". www.caribbeanelections.com. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
- ^ Electoral system IPU
- ^ "Barbados General Election Candidates 2018". Caribbean Elections. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ George, Hudson (25 May 2020). "Grenada has an official opposition". Caribbean News Global. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
In 2018, two CARICOM Member States, Grenada and "Barbados held general elections with the same electoral results," whereby, one political party won all the seats contested. Grenada's prime minister Dr Keith Mitchell led the New National Party (NNP) retained power in a clean sweep over the New Democratic Congress Party (NDC) while the opposition party Barbados Labour Party (BLP) defeated the Freundel Stuart led Democratic Labour Party government (DLP) in the same clean sweep fashion. However, soon after the BLP was sworn into office, one of its elected members of parliament crossed the floor and become the opposition leader. Recently, in Grenada an elected member of parliament crossed the floor and become the opposition leader.
- ^ "Bishop Atherley now Leader of the Opposition". The Barbados Advocate. 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Atherley defends move to start new party". The Barbados Advocate. 7 September 2020.
- ^ McLeod, Sheri-Kae (5 October 2020). "Barbados Government Announces Date for By-election". Caribbean News. Retrieved 11 October 2020.