EditorialLocal NewsNews #BTEditorial – Critical weekend ahead for the DLP camp by Barbados Today 18/08/2023 written by Barbados Today Updated by Barbados Today Traffic 18/08/2023 5 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 367 The next two days are critical days for the Democratic Labour Party as they convene their 68th annual general conference under the theme: Reset, Renew: The Way Forward. The weekend starts off with the party paying respect to its former leader and former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford. Senator Barry Griffin, Vice President of the Senate in The Bahamas, is to address the party faithful at the George Street headquarters. Voting for a president and other members of the executive happens from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The weekend ends with an address by the newly-elected or re-elected president at a church service. While these activities have become a staple for the Dems, the outcome of the election this weekend should be viewed as significant for anyone interested in the country’s political landscape. The DLP’s current state and how it got here is no secret. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians The DLP is a party twice defeated at the polls by two 30-0 back-to-back BLP victories. The DLP is a party which has not had a voice in the Parliament of Barbados since 2018. The DLP is a party that cannot seem to settle on the issue of leadership or one vision that resonates with the people. The DLP is a party that has seen former candidates and members exit in droves and head to the other side. The DLP is a party that many who once held high office have turned their backs and shied away from. Indeed, these are trying times for the 68-year-old institution. Conversely, though, it is also the party that has still managed to attract new members according to party officials. The DLP is the party that offered young and fresh faces as candidates in the last general election. The DLP is the party that many young people have signed up to be part of. The DLP is the party that has bright minds in all areas of endeavour. The DLP is the party that many of the elders still dutifully labour and toil for. The DLP is the party that has four candidates – two veterans and two fresh blood – vying for its leadership. The DLP is the party that, for now, Bajans still view as the opposition, whether in or out of Parliament. Yet, for some reason, the rebuilding of the party seems to be a rigorous uphill battle. Barbados still very much has a two-party political system; therefore, there will always be a place and need for the DLP. However, the leaders, members and party supporters would do well to expend their collective energies in positioning the party not as an opposition, but as an alternative government. After the votes are cast and counted this weekend, the most important thing for the Errol Barrow-founded institution is that the best leader and a committed team are elected. The task ahead is not an easy one. There is no general election around the corner waiting to be won. There are no vacant seats in Parliament waiting to be filled. There still is no Opposition subvention to be had in order to help with finances. There is no pixie dust that will fall on the members who have walked away that will cause them to return. There is no rewriting history to erase the two recent dreadful defeats. There is no spell that would break up the internal fractions and bring out instant unity. These are the realities. Whoever is victorious this weekend will be faced with the same challenges that former president Verla DePeiza faced and current president Dr Ronnie Yearwood is facing. While his opposers Richard Sealy, Ryan Walters and Dr David Estwick all bring something unique and different to the table, the party’s challenges will not vaporise upon electing a new leader. May the best candidate win and may the party’s affairs be conducted with transparency and fairness. Nonetheless, leader aside, there is one key and basic thing that if done well can make a huge difference to how the party is perceived and received by the public. The DLP needs foot soldiers just as much as it needs a solid, creative and visionary leader. The party’s footprint should be in communities all across Barbados, literally and figuratively. The party troops need to walk the length and breadth of Barbados and listen, genuinely listen, to the concerns of Bajans from all walks of life. Strategically, marshalling the troops is key. This is more important than fighting with the Prime Minister or other Government officials. It is more important than being on Down to Brass Tacks or getting a few soundbites in the news. It is more important than press briefings and political meetings. It is more important than the title or qualifications key politicians in the party hold. When the DLP starts listening to the people, they will be best placed to be the voice of the people. When the DLP starts listening to the people, they will be best placed to address their concerns when the time comes. When the DLP starts listening to the people, they can be of better service to them as they will be able to gauge whether they are on the right track or not. In order to truly be a party of the people, for the people, the DLP must make time to reconnect with the people – and not just the people who frequent George Street or those of like mind. The DLP has to venture far and wide, do it consistently and meaningfully, or else a third 30-0 defeat is inevitable. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Football legend Grel passes on 14/01/2025 Mario Burke joins MVP 14/01/2025 Police chief urges public vigilance to combat rising crime 14/01/2025