Dems urged to ‘get up and work’

Former Democratic Labour Party president Verla DePeiza has called on the party’s base to “get up and do the work” for the Barbadian people in an impassioned speech at a DLP zone meeting in St Michael South Central on Sunday night.

Addressing a packed St Michael School hall, DePeiza rallied the crowd: “Our people need the Democratic Labour Party to get up and stand up and speak out on their behalf. The people are calling out for us. We are a proud party with a phenomenal legacy and not just a legacy, but with a vision for the people of this country.”

She urged DLP members not to be disheartened: “Hold your head up, Democratic Labour Party. Put your flags up. Today is the flag day. There is no need to bury your head in the sand. Get up. The people are waiting on us. They are waiting on us.”

DePeiza maintained the DLP remained a “phenomenal party”, adding: “We will move forward having learned our lessons because there were some. But there is never a moment when we must hang our heads. We have to show this country that we are ready for the task because our country needs us. This is our mission. This is our mandate. This is our calling.”

Acknowledging that work needed to be done, the former senator said all members had a role in ensuring the party remained the voice of the people. “We have work to do. Not everybody is a front-runner but everybody is a valued runner in the Democratic Labour Party. Our people are looking for us to stand up and speak up for them and this evening is it. Every single time the Democratic Labour Party gathers, I want every one of you, even those of you who are online now, to get up and come out and put on your colours. It is still blue and yellow.”

Quoting a biblical phrase, she added: “I tell you, I’m not here to preach, but the Bible has those nuggets in it. The harvest is great. We got a lot of labourers though, but we have to get up and do the work.”

DePeiza was critical of the governing Barbados Labour Party’s performance, stating: “I have never seen an administration have such a perfect pitch. Level the playing field. They won 30 love twice and can’t play a ball at all, at all, at all. We need to stop the watching and start the talking. They are fumbling the ball and nobody else is on the field but them.”

She advised Dems to avoid distractions and focus on the key issues. “Forget the noise. Forget the noise. Listen to the people. Talk and speak for the people. I am not interested in side shows. The big issue in this country is how our people are being treated and how they are suffering.”

Referring to criticisms of the DLP before the 2018 elections, DePeiza challenged: “A lot was said in the lead-up to the 2018 elections that castigated the Democratic Labour Party – some of it we deserve licks for. But I challenge anyone to tell me today in May of 2024 that they are better off than they were in May of 2018.” (IMC)