‘We all are one’

After a public spat between the leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Verla DePeiza and her challenger, the incumbent president has maintained that her party presents a united front and remains focused on serving the island’s citizens.

She made the statement as the DLP’s annual conference opened at its George Street headquarters on Wednesday, welcoming supporters to its 66th anniversary celebrations, and seeking to project a determination to take the Mia Mottley administration to task for the shortcomings it sees.

“Iron sharpens iron,” said DePeiza. “We are all one, and at the end of the day we all, like every other contest that we had, will come together and pull together. So for the week that we are here celebrating with each other, I want us to think always of our people.

“As we go through the resolutions and we have our reports, keep in mind that one common goal. The Democratic Labour Party will not shirk its responsibility to the people of Barbados, and our focus will never be anything other than on that prize as we move forward together.”

The party’s leader added that despite COVID-19 protocols hampering much of the activities that are normally associated with the annual conference, important party discussions and plans will be ironed out over the next five days without hindrance.

“Come hell or high water, the Democratic Labour Party will meet to discuss the business of the people of Barbados,” she declared.

A tit-for-tat war of words between DePeiza and her challenger, Reverend Guy Hewitt, spilled out over the airwaves earlier this week. (SB)