Come home!
That was the message that newly elected president of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Dr. Ronnie Yearwood sent to members and supporters of the party.
This evening the university lecturer defeated veteran politician Dr. David Estwick by 68 votes (273-205) to assume leadership of the 67-year-old party. Card-carrying members trickled into the George Street, St. Michael headquarters throughout the day until the polls closed at 5 p.m. to elect their new leader.
The election of a president is usually done during the party’s annual general conference held in August but this unusual occurrence was as a result of the resignation of Verla DePeiza in the wake of her 30-0 defeat to the Mia Mottley- led Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in the January 19 General Election.
The announcement of Yearwood’s victory caused an eruption of cheers from party faithful. Thanking them for placing their confidence in him, the educator maintained that the first task of the DLP with him at the helm was to unify the party and welcome all Barbadians into the fold.
“… To signal to Barbadians, members and supporters that this party calls you to arms, calls you home … I want you to come home. During the recent General Election campaign, I talked about this party as a big tent, I talked about the fact that better days are ahead of us and we can all walk in the sun together and I invite you into this tent. I want you to feel part of this family and anyone hearing my voice knows that this is one Democratic Labour Party family and that we are ready and we are preparing ourselves to serve you,” he said.
Yearwood noted that in the coming months the party will be rolling out a suite of programmes and policies, which he did not name, and begin to talk to and listen to the public. Adding that there is much work to be done, he signaled his readiness.
“I am encouraged by the membership here, I am encouraged by the words of kindness that I’ve gotten from all Barbadians and hopefully we can all practise a kinder, gentler politics — a new politics. A politics which includes people, includes everyone. You hear their voices and it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it doesn’t matter who you are, what your last name is, this party has a place for you. This party has a seat for you. You have room at the table in the Democratic Labour Party. We are one family and I encourage you to join and share with us as we move forward to build this country,” he said.
Earlier during the conference, via video stream Barbadian-born Economist Carlos Forte cautioned that the DLP’s reconstruction cannot be dependent on one person but rather a team that is competent, steadfast, loyal and ready to govern with love of country and party. According to Forte, it will require a team that works together, supports the party leader while holding him or her accountable to the highest standard of leadership, integrity, humility, compassion, resolve, love of country, love of party.
On the topic of support for the new leadership, Forte told members to either give him their support or “stay out of his way”.
“The DLP is a democratic institution and it should behave as such. If it is to reclaim its heritage as a formidable political institution the DLP must aspire to be exemplary in office and out of office. Do not undermine your new president with political machinations and do not allow narrow personal ambitions to damage your party, or derail the national agenda to make Barbados an excellent place to live, work, play and raise a family. Push him to be better, hold him accountable within the bosom of the party, do not criticize him publicly. If a challenger emerges, let him or her bid for the leadership at the ballot box,” Forte suggested.
Moreover, he also went on to advise the party on what needs to be done in order not to repeat the defeats of 2018 and 2022. Among his recommendations was the laying out of a vision for the party and country that ignites the base, expands the DLP tent and unifies every stratum of party and country towards a prosperous, socially inclusive, civic minded Barbados.
“To achieve this, the DLP cannot afford to pretend that 2018 and 2022 did not happen, the DLP and its leadership cannot afford to sweep the failings of its last two administrations of government under the carpet. Equally, I must hasten to point out, it can neither afford to cower in the face of ridicule or lie down and die. Do not be distracted by your detractors, or allow the BLP and its operatives to frame the political narrative and set your agenda. You should also avoid the temptation of framing your efforts as rebuilding, rather you should see your task ahead on building on the progress of your forebearers including the work that was done by Verla DePeiza and her team in the three and a half years that followed the unprecedented red wash in 2018,” Forte added. (KC).
