Stating he will put campaign financing where his mouth is, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) presidential candidate Guy Hewitt has committed to raising $250,000 in 100 days for the party, if elected its president in August.
Hewitt, who has been making considerable waves across the local media, told Barbados TODAY that contrary to some who had suggested he was “just charisma and pretty talk”, he would be able to raise considerable funds to assist the DLP’s efforts in the next general election constitutionally due in 2023.
In a letter to the members of the DLP, Hewitt outlined a manifesto of what he plans to accomplish in his first 100 days if elected. Under the subheadings: Give the DLP an effective voice; Get elections ready; Strengthen internal communications; Build teams; and Future planning, Hewitt shared his vision on rebuilding an “effective, inclusive political organisation.”
Stressing the need to lift the DLP from a state of lethargy, Hewitt said he would establish a social media presence with fresh content for a DLP website, YouTube, Facebook, IG and Twitter accounts, as well as place a weekly column in the press.
Hewitt added he would engage key stakeholders and critical social groups including the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Barbados Agricultural Society, Barbados Economics Society and Barbados National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. He also indicated that he would build an economic team to provide viable alternatives to the current economic strategy.
Emphasizing the need for vibrant constituency branches, the cleric said he would ensure that monthly branch and candidate meetings were held and that the spokespersons on all sectors were active. He explained that there was a need to re-establish the central role of general secretary with a supporting secretariat and clearly defined leadership roles of vice presidents. He noted that among his priorities would be to ensure the Young Democrats were a visible and viable group and to focus on the recruitment of women in politics.
The former high commissioner to the United Kingdom stated that “consistent with our tradition of members leaning in and challenging the leadership to determine the best way forward, we urgently need to renew confidence in the DLP, energise our membership, reconcile with the wider populace, and mobilise the resources needed to win elections and ultimately form a government.”
Hewitt told Barbados TODAY that he was already mobilising financial support for candidates and had also collaborated with Peter Sealy of Tru Purified Water to donate $500 in bottled water to the Young Democrats’ water drive. (WG)
