What started out as a four-man race for the presidency of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is now a contest between two candidates.
Media reports had initially indicated that former minister Dr David Estwick, Ryan Walters, Dr Ronnie Yearwood and Francis DePeiza had been nominated for the post.
However, one day before the close of nominations on Monday, Walters and DePeiza have declined their nominations, leaving Dr Estwick and Dr Yearwood to contest the top post.
DLP members will vote on May 1 for a new leader. It was on Errol Barrow Day, January 21, two days after the party was beaten 30-nil for the second consecutive time in general elections, that the then-president Verla DePeiza resigned.
When Barbados TODAY spoke with DLP’s third vice-president Walters, he admitted that a document making rounds was indeed his formal correspondence sent to the party’s hierarchy and his St Michael West branch executive.
“Yes, I sent a letter to the DLP and branch executives Saturday morning explaining why I chose to decline at the present time. And now, since it has somehow made its way to the public domain, I guess I can say to you that what is contained in the letter is indeed the reason for me not contesting the presidency now,” he said.
Walters, who is hopeful that the branch will allow him to run in that constituency again, said since news of his nomination and subsequent declining of the nomination, he has received nothing but positive feedback.
“I am heartened by the response. If feels good to know people see you in that light. There are people who were extremely excited about the prospects of me leading the team, but I cannot act on emotion alone. I had to think thoroughly about the level of commitment I will be able to give the role of presidency given what is on my plate professionally today and over the next 12 months,” he said.
“Since the news broke yesterday, I have received messages and calls from people who understand and respect the fact that I will never renege on any responsibility or task I take on. I have not resigned from the party or gone AWOL [absence without leave]. I will be here continually committed to the Democratic Labour Party,” the businessman added.
Walters wrote in the letter: “My fellow Comrades, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members and, subsequently, the branches that supported my nomination for president of the Democratic Labour Party. I am deeply humbled to be considered as a choice for leadership of this great party.
“While I am very keen to participate in the election process as a candidate for presidency, recent developments professionally now make it extremely challenging for me to do so. I, therefore, have no choice but to decline the nomination simply because, if successful, time will not permit me to give the office of presidency the attention it needs as we are in the process of rebuilding and restoring confidence.
“However, as a duly elected officer of the party in my current role of Third Vice President, I will continue to support the leadership and represent the party when called upon to do so. I take this time to wish all of the other nominees the best as they contest for this very important position.
“Comrades, thank you once again and I look forward to continuing to work with you as we rebuild our great party.”
The politician, who has 10 years’ experience in the international business sector in finance, has led the team at international franchise Burger King in the role of general manager for the past nine years. Additionally, he has recently taken on the management of another international brand.
Meantime, efforts to reach DePeiza, the brother of the former DLP president, were unsuccessful. He last contested a general election in the St Michael North riding in 2008, losing to Ronald Toppin by 120 votes. (BT)
