#BTEditorial – The DLP remains relevant in this society

We are just days away from the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) 66^th Annual Conference to be held on Saturday at their stomping ground at the George Street Auditorium, St Michael.

One of the pivotal issues to engage members of that institution will be the choice of a president to guide its affairs as the party prepares for the next general election.

The DLP, like its main political foe and current ruling party, the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), has a rich history. The DLP was formed in 1955 and has contributed significantly to the development of Barbados, as has its older rival, the BLP. Both institutions have suffered great political victories and some particularly devastating losses – the BLP in 1986 with a losing margin of 24-3 and the DLP in 1999, 26 to 2.

However, in 2018 the DLP endured its darkest hour when it was annihilated 30-0 by the Mia Mottley-led BLP. But, both parties have previously emerged from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix.

Following the 2018 debacle, incumbent president Verla DePeiza picked up the pieces and has made a gallant effort to maintain the relevance of the party. She has had her critics but that is par for course in the political game. She has also had many who have praised her stewardship in these difficult times.

The DLP has appeared energised in recent times and many have put that down to the emergence of DePeiza’s challenger, former diplomat Reverend Guy Hewitt. If some might wish to pour cold water on that suggestion, it can hardly be denied that the DLP has been in the headlines more often than not in recent times since Hewitt stated his intention to contest for the presidency of the party.

The lead-up to the DLP’s AGM has been at times contentious after an initial period of relative calm. But since Hewitt announced his intention to, as he put it, respond to persons who implored him to seek the presidency, the battle between the two has truly intensified. This is nothing new to politics and both the DLP and the BLP have travelled similar roads before.

But the real challenge is not the events leading up to this internal election, the challenge awaits in the DLP’s ability to mend at the point following the AGM and the focus on the real task at hand which is the General Election, whenever it is called.

So as the DLP membership vote this weekend, Barbadians will look on in the hope of not only witnessing a fair contest, but also to see how well the party can heal and recompose itself after the weekend.

President DePeiza is no stranger to opposition having had to face and defeat party veteran and former general secretary George Pilgrim at last year’s conference. Both DePeiza and Pilgrim have previously been rejected at the national polls on multiple occasions. This time around she will face an opponent who carries no such baggage as he will be bringing a fresh face to this political battle.

When the winner has captured the majority hearts and confidence of the faithful, he or she can then concentrate the effort on doing likewise at the national level. With all that is going on, the country needs the 66-year- old institution to be viable yet again. The maturity of the party will be seen if the winner of this weekend’s contest receives the support of the loser at the conclusion of the internal battle.

The road ahead for the DLP is not easy. Coming from where they are presently, it simply cannot be. However, it is not impossible either. The great advantage the party has is that this country still remains a two-party state. None of the other parties has made any meaningful political statement that has resonated with the populace.

And no matter how loudly the party faithful and diehards shout, Bajans always manage to get to the point where they have had enough of one political party governing and position themselves to give the other “a chance”. History tells that story repeatedly.

In 1994, following the implosion of the Dems, Owen Arthur was ushered in as Prime Minister. At the time Bajans fell deeply in love with Arthur after sending Sir Lloyd ­– then Erskine Sandiford – a clear message that they had had enough of him.

In 1999, Bajans were “Going with Owen” and his popularity soared to the point where the DLP were routed at the polls. In 2003, he won 23 of the then 28 seats securing a historic third term. Arthur was the doyen of Bajan politics. But his popularity waned and Bajans seemed to forget how much they once loved him.

When there was a major political rift between himself and current Prime Minister Mia Mottley, many felt his time had passed and he needed to step aside and give his protégé a chance. This was especially evident after the events of 2010, which saw him retake the reins of the BLP from her.

The moral of that story is no matter how popular you are, oftentimes that popularity and love from the people can swiftly subside in the game of politics.

So while many may not see the return to political prominence in the near future of the Dems, the Barbadian people should never be taken for granted, or their love and affection abused.

The Dems lost the faith, affection and confidence of the people in 2018 and this weekend is part of their road back. Many will be watching to see how well their conduct their internal affairs.

It is ironic that the DLP’s AGM and internal elections featured prominently as the topic of discussion on the BLP’s online platform and CBC TV8 ahead of this weekend’s activities. The discussion, entitled The DLP Presidential Race and Election Readiness, engaged the likes of Peter Wickham, Hartley Henry and George Belle.

Following a 30-0 victory just three years ago, that attention was perhaps quite a compliment paid by Government as to the DLP’s relevance.