#BTColumn – Rebuilding DLP a priority

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY. By Ryan Walters Many believe that reinventing the wheel is a wasted effort. It is smart to build with whatever you have, notwithstanding you should always seek more. I’ve been active in the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) for some time now, as one of its faithful servants. After the party was decimated at the polls in 2018, I was the first person to step up to the plate and join the ranks of the DLP. I was firm in my conviction to help rebuild this great party, which has contributed so much to the development of Barbados. My role was clear; to be at the party’s beck and call. As a spokesperson, I offered many facts through thorough research and robust discussion on the state of small business and entrepreneurship while offering ideas on how to advance this sector for the betterment of its stakeholders and the country. As an officer of the party, I served the membership by participating at every level while lending my support to the president and the executive council. My participation in the General Election of January 2022 meant that along with my fellow comrades, we kept a level of hope and optimism for Barbadians alive. After receiving a request to respond to the budget of 2022 from the interim President, it was my sincere duty to stand in the breach on behalf of the party. More pointedly, like most other members who had their hands to the plough, we stood sometimes as eyewitnesses to the challenges which our former President Comrade (Verla) DePeiza faced in rebuilding the party without a subvention or a seat in Parliament. Most Barbadians have experienced the struggle of making ends meet. All we have are our skills and talents. It is for that reason that the membership of the Democratic Labour Party connects with the philosophy of the party and the struggles which many Barbadians face today. If the path of hope was not committed to my memory, the recent constituency picnic which my branch organised, was a timely reminder. I still recall the joy on the faces of the patrons, young and old, in wheelchairs and with walking sticks, being assisted to a comfortable seating place on the hills, children bouncing in jumping tents and playing games while others ably moved around mixing and mingling. Branch members and non-members of the constituency gathered at Farley Hill and had a beautiful experience, after the isolation of COVID. That experience told me that in today’s world of social media, technology and fast-paced lifestyles, we remain social beings. And if we say we are leaders, political or otherwise, establishing relationships and creating safe spaces for camaraderie are priorities to maintaining strong structures in the family and the community. I believe that in the same way we organised the excursion and created deeper relationships among the people across various communities in one constituency, the Democratic Labor Party, by doing so with its branches and organs can help to rebuild strong families and communities across Barbados. And guess what, that would be leadership too. This journey as myopic as it may seem is not only about the future of the Democratic Labour Party but that of our country. Not only would we begin to reshape the fabric of the Barbadian society but we would be setting an example for other clubs and social organisations to empower themselves and contribute to making Barbados a better society. I can say that without fear of contradiction. When the Democratic Labour Party won government for the first time, it was unable to field a full slate of candidates. The party rallied around its members and philosophy and won. In subsequent elections, it was the contribution of our Young Democrats and the Women’s League that resonated across our communities through activism, outreach and volunteerism that brought the party victories. When we understand that we are social beings; when we accept that every voice, every member, every talent and every skill matters; very good things happen and we can together climb mountains. The party faces two choices: complain about not having subventions while spending ten hours every day criticising the government, or rally our members and supporters by re-engaging with them and re-energising and equipping them with a renewed vision for a better Barbados. The latter will overflow onto our supporters, well-wishers and Barbadians as a whole. It must be made clear that as a governmentin-waiting the Democratic Labour Party must keep its eyes on governance and government, we must raise pertinent issues and keep the government accountable, that is an undisputed fact. However, whoever is elected president of the party in August must understand that rebuilding the party is a priority. Thriving families, communities, institutions, businesses along with cultural, economic, social and political organisations are essential to any democracy. Why? They create a space in which different groups and factions can organise themselves around shared goals and beliefs. The founding ideals of the Democratic Labour Party speak to justice and fairness. Removing the obstacles that lift up the marginalised, does not require a subvention. Nor does building cohesion among our members such that everyone is able to understand one another’s perspectives while still respecting diversity of opinion on certain issues. In the words of Anthony J. D’Angelo: “Don’t reinvent the wheel, just realign it.” Ryan Walters is the 2nd Vice President and vying for the office of President of the Democratic Labour Party This column was offered as a letter to the editor.]]>