The television anchor-turned-parliamentarian Steve Blackett has retired from elective politics following his administration’s thrashing in the May 24 General Elections, he told Barbados TODAY.
Voters cast all the parliamentarians of the Freundel Stuart-led Democratic Labour Party out of office, including the Minister of Social Care Constituency Empowerment and Community Development and MP for St Michael Central.
“They made their decision on the 24th of May, they don’t care anything about us, and, tell the truth, I ain’t really about nothing so now,” Blackett said, repeating that the Barbadian electorate made his early retirement decision for him.
“The people say that they ain’t want us so I am firmly looking after my children, my wife and my family right now, that is the truth,” he said.
The mild-mannered Blackett, who astonished voters and pundits alike with a savage personal attack on Barbados Labour Party Mia Mottley during the election campaign, gave an assurance to Barbados TODAY that he was not going back to the polls ever again.
“Absolutely no! I am not ever going back into politics, I am finished with politics. Period. I am finished with politics,” the father of three adult sons stressed while stating that he is thoroughly enjoying his retirement from public life and spending quality time with his family.
“I am enjoying my retirement. The people of Barbados spoke decisively about us and I am finished with that. I am enjoying my retirement collecting my grandson from school and enjoying family life,” said Blackett.
Reflecting on last Sunday’s DLP annual conference, he said that the newly elected executive should be given space and time to rebuild the party. He declined comment on any suggestions to assist their rebuilding process.
“ I prefer not to comment on that . . . . We just elected an executive and I believe they should be given the space and time to rebuild the party and get on with that sort of business. I am not really interested in commenting on that,” Blackett said.
Blackett was a Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation television news anchor and Starcom Network radio announcer. He also worked at business stationery-maker Moore Paragon Limited as a senior account executive.
Defeated in the St. Michael Central seat in 2003, he again stood for Parliament in the January 2008 elections.
He joined the Cabinet as Minister of Community Development and Culture, moving to head the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development in October 2010.
Returned to Parliament in the 2013 polls, Blackett was reappointed to the same ministry.
The post Blackett’s ‘done with that’! appeared first on Barbados Today.
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