The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) says it is working to rebuild public trust following three consecutive electoral defeats.
Speaking during a press conference at the DLP headquarters on Sunday, Acting President Stephen Lashley said the party is reassessing its purpose, relevance and structure.
He affirmed the party’s commitment to listening to Barbadians and rebuilding its support base.
“The Democratic Party has been focused over the past couple of days in particular on re-examining its basis, re-examining its purpose and re-examining its relevance. And to that extent, the Democratic Labour Party will be listening very acutely to Barbadians as to how they wish the Democratic Labour Party to reshape itself.”
Lashley acknowledged the party’s electoral losses and emphasised the need for unity and purpose.
“I believe that we have gotten the message. The public of Barbados has spoken very, very strongly in favour of seeing a Democratic Labour Party that is focused, that is united, and that is full of purpose, and we know and we recognise that in order to answer that call, we have to do it by taking the country with us.”
He said the party will focus on reconnecting with branches and strengthening its internal structure.
“Within the annals of the party and the councils, we will start the hard work of revisiting our base, we will be reigniting and reconnecting with our base across Barbados, our constituency branches. We’ll be doing quite a bit of work with them to ensure that they are fully engaged and on board.”
He encouraged the Barbadian public to engage with the party as it works to rebuild trust.
“I intend to start some serious work. We have, of course, plans looking towards the next annual conference, but like I’ve said before, there’s a lot of time between now and the next annual conference. What you will see from the Democratic Labour Party is a party that is anxious to get down to the business of first, listening to the people of Barbados, because I think we have to. I think we can’t reshape ourselves.”
“We can’t understand what Barbadians want of us until and unless we listen to them, and therefore we will be doing that in a meaningful way.”
He further explained that the party is dedicated to honesty, unity, and responsiveness on policy matters.
“We will pay more attention to the voices of Barbadians, I believe, in reshaping our focus and our policies. What I can say to you for sure is that the Democratic Labour Party will be very honest in its stewardship. But we’ll be very honest about ourselves because I believe that in order to be an effective opposition, we have to give the country, and we have to demonstrate to them that we are not only capable, but in relation to the management of our internal affairs, that we are a united party and we are focused.”
Lashley was elected acting president after Ralph Thorne resigned as leader and president of the party.
Meanwhile, the newly elected chairman of the group of spokespersons, Senator Ryan Walters, announced the DLP’s shadow ministry following his appointment at the party’s executive council meeting on March 24.
The spokesperson assignments are as follows:
Corey Greenidge – Legal Affairs, Attorney General and Criminal Justice
Pedro Greaves – Sports and Culture
Rasheed Belgrave – Tourism and International Transport
Ian Griffith – Housing, Transport and Works
Amoy Gilding-Bourne – Agriculture and Fisheries
Quincy Jones – Education and Trade
Jason Phillips – Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Felicia Dujon – Health and Elder Affairs
Janine Butcher – Youth and Community Empowerment
Senator Ryan Walters – Finance and Economic Affairs
At the press conference, Walters said that this is just the beginning and the team will continue to expand.
“Other voices will be added to enhance how we communicate with the public. We will ensure that we are constantly evolving and that we are fit for purpose. Our role as spokespersons is very critical to inform, to scrutinise, and to offer solutions. We are here to ensure that there is accountability in governance, clarity in policy discussions, and a constant connection between the people and those tasked to represent them,” said Walters.
The reconfigured elected officers are now as follows:
Stephen Lashley – President (acting)
Donville Inniss – First Vice President
Quincy Jones – Second Vice President
Felicia Dujon – Third Vice President
Paul Gibson – Fourth Vice President
Pedro Shepherd – General Secretary
Gary Graham – Deputy General Secretary-Treasurer
James Paul – Treasurer
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