Hewitt says DLP bickering helps only BLP

Barbados former High Commissioner in London, Guy Hewitt, says he has no desire to be part of any political bloodletting in the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).

Moments after his arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport from Florida, Hewitt responded to rising calls from DLP insiders and supporters that he should pursue the leadership of the party. Hewitt said such pursuits would not benefit the DLP.

“The only beneficiaries from any DLP infighting are all to be found in the Barbados Labour Party,” he told Barbados TODAY. Responding directly to an April 30 column in the publication which promoted him as the future DLP leader, Hewitt said it was very reassuring to know that persons appreciated his efforts to be a solid citizen and friend. However, he added: “Having been at the 2018 Annual Conference and congratulated Comrade [Verla] DePeiza for president, I have no desire to stand against her.”

Hewitt commended the current DLP president for taking the reins of the party after the catastrophic 2018 defeat at the polls. However, he noted that there was a need for the DLP to “be much more effective in projecting its vision, policies and leadership role” to the electorate.

“Political parties have various functions: providing national direction, drawing up policies and programmes, promoting the interests of their supporters and the wider electorate,” he said. But Hewitt also underscored that their “primary role is to win elections and ultimately form a government.”

“This is what I believe I can offer some assistance with,” the former CARICOM senior executive stated.

The Florida-based cleric was resolute when asked about his frank assessment of the DLP’s election performance when he addressed the party’s United Kingdom branch’s AGM in 2018.

“As I said then, the 30-0 routing at the polls reflected a sense amongst the populace, including many Dems, that between 2008 when we were elected to office and 2018 when we were routed, that the DLP was no longer for the people.”

In qualifying his statement, he added: “As Lee Atwater, the strategist for presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush asserted, ‘in politics, perception is reality’.” Hewitt noted that the economic situation under the current administration was as dire as under former prime minister Freundel Stuart.

“We are in a severe recession again, debt to GDP ratio has again skyrocketed, unemployment is catastrophic, and people are suffering. But the difference is that the current administration projects activity and has a highly efficient propaganda machinery constantly asserting that ‘Aunty Mia Cares’,” Hewitt said.

He was nonetheless optimistic about the future of the DLP.

“In 2018, for the first time in our political history, Barbadians voted as a single constituency against the party of Errol Walton Barrow. It was devastating but once we show that we have learned from it, I am confident we can be reconciled to the electorate and be given a chance again.”

Asked about a possible future in politics, Hewitt noted: “I don’t have the psyche of a politician; I don’t believe it has to be me or about me. The leadership model I follow is biblically-inspired, one of servant leader.”

He explained that his entire career has been public service oriented. “I have had immense satisfaction working in international organisations, CARICOM agencies, universities, international charities, NGOs and most recently as Barbados’ envoy at London.” He cryptically added: “While I am not planning a political career, I never say never for the Lord has moved in mysterious ways in my life.”

As to what his plans are while home, although he confirmed that he has “some meetings” to see how he can “contribute to nation building,” Hewitt stressed that his “focus is on family and friends” as he hasn’t been home for 15 months due to COVID-19.

“Most of all I’m looking forward to hitting the beach, playing some dominoes and eating some pudding and souse in Velma’s Bar.”

(wadegibbons@barbadostoday.bb)