The Friends of Democracy (FOD) is a center-left social democratic[1] political party in Barbados. It was established in 2024 as a political pressure group and in 2025 as a political party.
The Friends of Democracy | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | FOD |
| Leader | Karina Goodridge |
| President | Karina Goodridge |
| Chairperson | Karina Goodridge |
| General Secretary | Steve Blackett |
| Founder | Ronnie Yearwood Steve Blackett |
| Founded | 2024 (As a political pressure group) July 1, 2025 (As a political party) |
| Split from | Democratic Labour Party |
| Ideology | Social democracy |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| Colors | Green |
| House of Assembly | 0 / 30
|
| Senate | 1 / 21
|
| Election symbol | |
| Diamond | |
| Website | |
History
editThe Friends of Democracy was founded as a political pressure and civic group in 2024 after the ousting of Democratic Labour Party (DLP) president Ronnie Yearwood and general secretary Steve Blackett and subsequent exodus of some ex-DLP members following an internal power struggle.[2][3] The group later elected attorney Karina Goodridge as its chairman and President on 18 May 2025 and announced its intention to become a full political party.[4] The party was founded on 1 July 2025 where it announced that Yearwood was no longer affiliated with the group.[5]
On 23 January 2026, FOD announced that it was going to contest the 2026 Barbadian general election with 12 candidates with the intent to " a strong, vibrant and potent opposition. ”[1] Weeks later, on the 11th of February, during the election, they won 1,424 votes and came 3rd place but failed to win a seat.
On 20 February 2026 President Jeffrey Bostic appointed FOD President Karina Goodridge and DLP member Ryan Walters as the two opposition senators for the opposition seats in the senate.[6]
Electoral Performance
edit| Election | Party Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Karina Goodridge | 1,424 | 1.40 | 0 / 30 |
 0 |
New | Extra-parliamentary |
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 Blunt, Shamar (23 January 2026). "Friends of Democracy enters election race with 12 candidates, pledging to restore political balance". Barbados Today. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ Moore, Shanna (21 December 2024). "Ex-DLP leader: Barbados' democracy fragile, needs reform". Barbados Today. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ Slegall Gibson (16 August 2024). "Dr. Ronnie Yearwood and Steve Blackett expelled from the DLP". Starcom Network. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ↑ Greaves, Tre (18 May 2025). "Friends of Democracy to become a full political party". nationnews.com. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ Clarke, Sherrylyn (21 July 2025). "Friends of Democracy gets set". nationnews.com. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ Clarke, Sherrylyn (20 February 2026). "Walters, Goodridge sworn in as Opposition Senators". The Nation Barbados. Retrieved 20 February 2026.