DLP pays tribute to ‘faithful servant’

Former Member of Parliament Dr Denis Lowe is being remembered for his dedication to Barbados, his constituents, his family and friends.

The outspoken former MP for the constituency of Christ Church East under the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government, died just after midnight on Friday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) where he had been hospitalised.

As news spread of his passing social media was abuzz with condolences from several quarters.

Former cabinet colleague and General Secretary of the DLP Steven Blackett said in a statement that he was saddened by the passing of his friend and comrade, whom he sat next to in Parliament and the Cabinet, during their tenure in office between 2008 and 2018.

Blackett said over those years, on a weekly basis, he got the opportunity to share Dr Lowe’s immense intellect, humanity, and devotion to his constituents, his late mother, family, relatives and comrades.

“He was controversial in some of his mounthings but that was because his conviction to his philosophical beliefs often unbridled and loosened his tongue to the discomfort of some, but that was who he was. His remarkable oration was informed, practised and cultivated by his exposure to the church as a lay preacher. He was evangelical in his parliamentary speeches and his platform presentations and lectures,” Blackett recalled.

The recently elected General Secretary offered the party’s heartfelt condolences to the 64-year-old’s family and friends.

Also conveying condolences in a statement issued on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw extended condolences to Dr Lowe’s loved ones, and thanked him for his service to the country.

Brashaw said the clinical psychologist, who served in the Barbados Senate before representing the Christ Church seat in the House of Assembly for two terms, was a faithful servant of the DLP, and was always one of its most ardent supporters and defenders.

She said, Dr Lowe’s robust use of colourful language on the political platform endeared him to many and ensured he was always on the DLP’s most sought after speakers.

She acknowledged that while they operated on opposite sides of the political divide, in Barbados it is recognised that there is much value in the Biblical injunction that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun.

“We may not have agreed often with his political style or the policies that his party pursued, but we do believe that as a Barbadian, Dr Denis Lowe cared about his country and at this moment of his passing, it is appropriate to set aside the cut and thrust of politics to say: “Thank you for your service to Barbados!”

“To his sons Myles and Jaydee, his father and other family members, I extend thanks, on behalf of all Barbadians, for lending him in service to this country,” Bradshaw’s statement read.

Following the DLP’s Friday lunchtime lecture, at the George Street Auditorium, where a moment of silence was observed at Dr Lowe’s passing, former DLP candidate Undene Whittaker, said the party benefited significantly from the stalwart’s experience and knowledge.

She explained that when Dr Lowe served as Minister of Social Care, he demonstrated that he understood the importance of creating an environment to meet the social welfare needs of Barbadians.

“This is all part and parcel of what the Democratic Labour Party believes in. As a caring party member, he was the ideal person to take up that position as minister and the party and people of Barbados benefited from his work.

“He had a wealth of knowledge in several areas and utilised that knowledge for the betterment of the party. In his constituency, he was loved. ,” Whittaker added. (AH)