Barbadian general election, 2008

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A general election was held in Barbados on 15 January 2008.[1] A concurrent referendum to determine whether or not to become a republic was initially planned but that vote was postponed.[2]

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP), which had been in opposition since 1994, won with 20 seats to 10 seats for the Barbados Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Owen Arthur. Recounts were held in some constituencies due to close results.[3]

On 11 September 2008 Hamilton Lashley MP, for St. Michael South-East announced he would cross the floor and no longer be a member of the Barbados Labour Party, but would instead become an independent. His defection brought the BLP as Opposition down to nine seats for the remainder of the Parliamentary session.[4] He later decided to join the ruling DLP party.

DLP leader David Thompson was sworn in as Prime Minister on January 16.[1] After David Thompson died in October 2010 a by-election was held on January 2011 to fill his vacant seat for St. John in Parliament.

 Summary of the 15 January 2008 Barbados House of Assembly election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Democratic Labour Party 70,135 53.21 20
Barbados Labour Party 61,316 46.52 10
People's Empowerment Party 198 0.15 —
Independents 129 0.10 —
People's Democratic Congress 28 0.02 —
Total valid votes 131,806 100.00 30
Source: The Nation

References

  1. 1 2 "Thompson sworn in as Barbados PM", Xinhua, January 17, 2008.
  2. ↑ Elections in Barbados, The Jamaica Gleaner, 13 January 2008
  3. ↑ BARBADOS ELECTION: Ruling party defeated, The Nation, 16 January 2008
  4. ↑ BLP MOVE? 5 October 2008, Daily Nation Newspaper

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