BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - University lecturer, Dr Ronnie Yearwood, has been re-elected to the presidency of the main opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) that ended its three-day 68th annual conference on Sunday night with a call for unity.
A jubilant DLP leader. Dr. Ronnie Yearwood (center) celebrates with party supporters on his re-election victory (Photo courtesy BarbadosToday)The conference was held under the theme “Reset, Renew: The Way Forward,” and Yearwood, who, easily retained his position as leader of the party, told reporters that prior to the two-days of voting he had spoken of the need for unity.
“It’s a time that we just go forward in unity, as a party we have to put aside whatever differences and disputes [we have], and unify,” he said.
The DLP had suffered two whitewashes in the last general elections, failing to win a seat in the 30-member Parliament and Yearwood acknowledged that while “this party as battered and as bruised as it is, this party has to stand up for the people of Barbados…
“I want you to recognize that tonight as we reset, pull yourselves together, pull yourselves from the gutter, and understand that you are called to serve. You are called to be of service to the people of this country and to do good to them.
“ The only way we can do that is if we stand united as one Democratic Labour Party family, we pull our strength, and we recognize that we have a place in this country,” said Yearwood, who had faced challenges from party stalwarts Dr David Estwick and Richard Sealy, as well as businessman Ryan Walters.
Delivering the sermon at the DLP’s church service on Sunday evening, former legislator, David Durant, suggested that members remain faithful to the party when casting their votes even if they accept inducements during a general election from other political parties.
“If you give me a chicken I want it. I will cook it. If they give me money I [want it]. Who don’t want money in this place? I need it, but I know where to put the X. That is the difference,” said Durant.
“It is time to bring healing to a broken, wounded, divided party,” said Durant, adding “we will put the past behind and we will rally together behind the leader. It is the only way we will make sense in this country as a political party who is training to reign. If we are training to reign, to rule, then we have to do it right from here.
“I am seeing a brighter Democratic Labour Party and I am seeing a brighter future for Barbados. I am sensing there is a light on the horizon and we will have a very significant role to play in bringing that light to the surface, above the sea, above the horizon to shine down on this nation,” said Durant.
