Marc Laurent, Kemar Stuart and Rasheed Belgrave have officially joined the list of candidates for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) to contest the next general elections.
Speaking Sunday during the party’s annual conference, DLP President Verla DePeiza revealed to supporters that Marc Laurent will contest Christ Church South; Kemar Stuart, The City of Bridgetown; while local footballer Rasheed Belgrave will vie for Christ Church East Central.
While admitting the current slate of candidates formed part of a younger team than most were used to, DePeiza shared her confidence in the party’s choices, saying, “We are a young team, but we are a strong a committed team and nothing matters more to us than to see the Democratic Labour Party once again stamping its mark on the political landscape of Barbados, and because we are young, we are full of energy and open to change.”
Responding to critics who chided her for not naming all of the party’s candidates who will take center stage in the next general elections, DePeiza stressed that the slow revelation of contenders was part of the current DLP strategy, which sought to give new persons to the political stage enough time to make their case to their constituents.
“Over the years, we took the decision that we would name our candidate in batches. I know the political pundits want to see a master list, but they are going to have to keep writing, keep the paper fresh, and keep adding to it, because we need to showcase our candidates, and we are confident in the strategy that we have to ensure that our candidates get the spotlight that they deserve.”
DePeiza further added that supporters within the party must come to terms with a change of strategy within the DLP, as some lessons that were taught during the 2018 general elections are being taken into consideration.
“If there is one thing that last year’s presidential election made certain, and this year’s presidential election solidified, is that the dear loving people of the Democratic Labour Party want change. We heard the criticisms coming out of 2018, and it cannot be that you will do things in the same way, and expect a different result.
“Hard as it might be, difficult decisions have to be made, but the Democratic Labour Party will make the changes necessary to keep us relevant in the lives of the people of Barbados. We will do so by pulling together; whether you supported one candidate or another, this morning there is no Team Verla, there is No Team Guy … there is only Team DLP.” (SB)
