DLP's 68th Annual General Conference: Crucial Elections and Challenges Ahead for Democratic Labour Party

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.