The initial grouping emerged shortly after the 2018 general elections, where the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) defeated the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to win all 30 seats in the House of Assembly.

This result left vacant the position of Leader of the Opposition and the two seats held by the second largest party in the Senate.

On 31 May 2018, Joseph Atherley, who had been elected for St. Michael West, announced that he would be leaving the party to become Leader of the Opposition, which enabled him to advise on the appointment of the two minority Senators.

[2] As of the party's foundation, Atherley was the only PdP member of the House of Assembly, which automatically made him Leader of the Opposition.

[2] On 27 December 2021, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley dissolved parliament and called elections for 19 January 2022.