New National Party aims to unite generations, overhaul political ‘Old Guard’
Founder of the New National Party, Kemar Stuart. (FP)
The Barbadian political establishment faces its newest challenger in the New National Party (NNP), a movement spearheaded by former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) member Kemar Stuart, which pledges to dismantle systemic corruption, bridge generational divides, and establish “transformative governance” through radical transparency and inclusive leadership by 2050.
The 30-year-old former DLP general secretary aims to contest all 30 constituencies, starting with the St John seat, while prioritising radical reforms, including a public contracts register and long-term economic restructuring.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, he declared the party would address national issues while fostering cultural unity.
“We’re looking at having the best persons come forward to represent,” Stuart said. “We’re looking at the cultural unity across society… Christian society, the Rastafari community, the Christian community, the white community, CARICOM nationals – we’re seeking to foster that cultural unity within Barbados, and that should also manifest in leadership.”
The party leader outlined a vision emphasising values, competence, and inclusiveness, with a development roadmap targeting 2050.
He said: “We’re looking at providing a vision that people can buy into… lifelong learning, opportunities to develop oneself, develop their families, contribute –become a taxpayer and give back to society – and lastly, re-engineering our economic and social structure towards a better 2050, which is approximately 25 years from now.”
Among the NNP’s immediate priorities are reforming the controversial Cybercrime Bill, addressing water quality issues, expanding sewage access, and enforcing transparency in public contracting.
Stuart said: “We focus heavily on tackling corruption… a public register for contracts to create transparency in government, so any Barbadian should be allowed to go on to the online portal and see any and every government contract.
“We were promised transparency and today we have not… we don’t get our money’s worth.”
Stuart explained his motivation for forming the party: “We need policies and different ideas, fresh ideas and new voices, and have the next generation of leadership emerge to help govern the affairs of Barbados.”
The activist confirmed his previous role as DLP general secretary and his dismissal from the office of the Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne. “Yes, I was the general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party,” he said, adding: “I was employed in the office of the opposition leader. I was there. Fired by your opposition leader.”
He revealed that community members in St John – where he had been engaged in grassroots work – first proposed creating an alternative party. “They suggested to me that the formation of an alternate political party, to bring more transformative ideas into the country, would bethe best option… for the people,” Stuart noted.
The NNP plans to contest the upcoming St James North by-election indirectly before targeting the St John constituency in the next general election, with ambitions to field candidates nationwide.
Stuart reported strong initial support: “I received positive affirmation from what I see on social media… good feedback from WhatsApp. Congratulations from persons across society, persons in the diaspora all over the world – as far as the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Europe, and Africa.”
When asked about his public profile, the youth leader responded: “I think Kemar Stuart has been spoken for in the public sphere… people know.”
The party stresses its openness to all Barbadians irrespective of political history. “I am open to all Barbadians from all walks joining the New National Party,” Stuart said. Pressed on whether he had BLP links, he replied: “I don’t think it’s relevant at this point… I am a member of the New National Party,” adding that he had rebuffed past approaches from the ruling party.
Stuart emphasised the NNP’s cross-generational ambitions: “We’re seeking to avoid one type of leadership in the country… multi-generational leadership is not just a youth-based initiative… It’s multi-generational across generations… youth and experience… to form a new narrative for Barbados… and to put Barbados on the map.”
(LG)
The 30-year-old former DLP general secretary aims to contest all 30 constituencies, starting with the St John seat, while prioritising radical reforms, including a public contracts register and long-term economic restructuring.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, he declared the party would address national issues while fostering cultural unity.
“We’re looking at having the best persons come forward to represent,” Stuart said. “We’re looking at the cultural unity across society… Christian society, the Rastafari community, the Christian community, the white community, CARICOM nationals – we’re seeking to foster that cultural unity within Barbados, and that should also manifest in leadership.”
The party leader outlined a vision emphasising values, competence, and inclusiveness, with a development roadmap targeting 2050.
He said: “We’re looking at providing a vision that people can buy into… lifelong learning, opportunities to develop oneself, develop their families, contribute –become a taxpayer and give back to society – and lastly, re-engineering our economic and social structure towards a better 2050, which is approximately 25 years from now.”
Among the NNP’s immediate priorities are reforming the controversial Cybercrime Bill, addressing water quality issues, expanding sewage access, and enforcing transparency in public contracting.
Stuart said: “We focus heavily on tackling corruption… a public register for contracts to create transparency in government, so any Barbadian should be allowed to go on to the online portal and see any and every government contract.
“We were promised transparency and today we have not… we don’t get our money’s worth.”
Stuart explained his motivation for forming the party: “We need policies and different ideas, fresh ideas and new voices, and have the next generation of leadership emerge to help govern the affairs of Barbados.”
The activist confirmed his previous role as DLP general secretary and his dismissal from the office of the Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne. “Yes, I was the general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party,” he said, adding: “I was employed in the office of the opposition leader. I was there. Fired by your opposition leader.”
He revealed that community members in St John – where he had been engaged in grassroots work – first proposed creating an alternative party. “They suggested to me that the formation of an alternate political party, to bring more transformative ideas into the country, would bethe best option… for the people,” Stuart noted.
The NNP plans to contest the upcoming St James North by-election indirectly before targeting the St John constituency in the next general election, with ambitions to field candidates nationwide.
Stuart reported strong initial support: “I received positive affirmation from what I see on social media… good feedback from WhatsApp. Congratulations from persons across society, persons in the diaspora all over the world – as far as the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Europe, and Africa.”
When asked about his public profile, the youth leader responded: “I think Kemar Stuart has been spoken for in the public sphere… people know.”
The party stresses its openness to all Barbadians irrespective of political history. “I am open to all Barbadians from all walks joining the New National Party,” Stuart said. Pressed on whether he had BLP links, he replied: “I don’t think it’s relevant at this point… I am a member of the New National Party,” adding that he had rebuffed past approaches from the ruling party.
Stuart emphasised the NNP’s cross-generational ambitions: “We’re seeking to avoid one type of leadership in the country… multi-generational leadership is not just a youth-based initiative… It’s multi-generational across generations… youth and experience… to form a new narrative for Barbados… and to put Barbados on the map.”
(LG)