Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate in the St James North by-election Chad Blackman says he’s not ducking from any barbs fired at him by political rivals.
“They call me the big man but let me tell you something. I am big, bold, beautiful, all these things. BLP, big man, Bajan, you understand?” he said Wednesday night on the platform mounted in Corbin’s Road, Ashton Hall, St Peter, in support of his candidacy.
With less than a week to go before voters head to the polls to choose their next parliamentary representative, he reaffirmed his pledge to live a healthier lifestyle which he said is part and parcel of the agricultural and food security initiative for the constituency.
“Now, so far on this campaign, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has seen it fit to come at the big man. The lady running against me representing the Democratic Labour Party . . . continues to come after me based on my size, but it tells you that they are afraid of the big man.
Blackman also pledged his commitment to providing opportunities to the “high number” of young residents in the community commonly called The Zone, which, though geographically located in St Peter, is situated in the St James North constituency.
“They [residents] reminded me that this constituency had great footballers, cricketers, netballers, persons who went on and further afield honed their craft and it is therefore one of the reasons why I am happy that this evening, our young people [from the party’s League of Young Socialists] started this meeting with the
vision and clarity of which they did.
“This party is a party that has committed itself to ensuring that once you open a door for a young person, they don’t only bring themselves and those around them, but they bring a wider community . . .,” he said.
Blackman also responded to the DLP’s candidate Felicia Dujon whom, he said, was not talking about his weight but about his integrity and those with whom he associated himself.
“. . . If you want to judge me by the association of the people in Ashton who love Chad Blackman and who nurture me and pray send prayers for me, then I stand accused. If you want to judge me by the association of young persons who aspire to be not just farmers but business owners, owners of their fate and destiny, then I stand accused. ( GBM)
