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Praises for Verla

by Barbados Today
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There was no shortage of praise for the immediate past leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Verla DePeiza as a large number of party faithful prepared to elect a new leader.

Depeiza appeared moved as she entered the auditorium of the party’s George Street, Belleville, St Michael headquarters today and was greeted by a small applause. Shortly after, that applause erupted to loud cheers and a standing ovation in her honour for about 60 seconds. This came on the heels of tributes from retired principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus Professor Eudine Barriteau and Economist Carlos Forte.

Earlier this year at the January polls, DePeiza was defeated when the DLP failed to retain a single seat in Parliament. She resigned as DLP leader less than 48 hours later.

“Thank you Miss DePeiza,” Professor Barriteau said.

“Between August 2018 and January 2022 Ms. DePeiza demonstrated guts, gumption and sheer grit when she led the Democratic Labour Party through one of its most difficult periods internally and nationally. Ms. DePeiza did not allow the enormity of the challenges facing her and the DLP to deter her. And as many others who have assumed political leadership, and periods of unavoidable institutional transformation, the work she has undertaken has paved the way for the DLP’s inescapable required rebuilding. As I observed Ms. DePeiza during that period I often remarked that she embodied the profile of a brave, courageous and undaunted Barbadian woman.

“Yet, it was not enough. It is nevertheless exemplary and I applaud Ms. DePeiza and I thank her for demonstrating to Barbados what it means to offer service even when the conditions were obviously very trying and the various outcomes politically unfavorable,” Barriteau added.

Likewise, Forte recognised the attorney-at-law’s strength and fearlessness when she stepped up to lead the party in the wake of its crushing defeat in the 2018 General Election and, according to him, with a lack of support from veteran politicians in the 67-year-old political party.

Forte said: “She inherited a tall order, stepped up to the plate and with grit and determination set about rebuilding the DLP in its darkest years. Ultimately, she did not succeed in making Parliamentary gains but in three short years under her leadership the DLP gained a five per cent swing away from the government. She did so by holding the Mottley Administration’s feet to the fire, appointing a shadow cabinet and presenting a full slate of candidates and running a credible general election campaign with minimal financial support.” (KC)

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