Paul Gibson
President of the Democratic Labour Party, Verla Depeiza announced yesterday that Paul Gibson, formerly of the People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PdP), is now a member of the DLP.
Depeiza made the announcement during a press conference to announce the DLP Errol Barrow Memorial Activities for 2021, in response to a question posed by the media regarding former member Simon Alleyne leaving the party.
"For the Democratic Labour Party, any loss is an event, we would not call it a significant event, but any loss is an event. However we balance that, because we have had persons coming over to us from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), we have had persons coming over from the PDP. This week, as we were having our council meetings, we had Paul Gibson, formerly of the PdP join us," said Depeiza.
The president also stated that of the 121 new members that joined in recent months, the party also had former prominent members of the BLP join the ranks, but the DLP did not see the need to make a big public announcement.
"The difference is that we do not feel the need to make a spectacle of people, because you open them to more scrutiny than they would want and we prefer to work, and we will work with persons who wish to work," said Depeiza.
Depeiza also explained that Alleyne had alerted the party of his decision before making the announcement, but highlighted that there was a process to candidate selection. She referenced her experience from the 2008 General Election where she, as nominee for St Michael West Central, was not chosen, but James Paul received the nod.
The president noted that the party was in the process of choosing candidates and were in the unique position of having to select for 30 seats, and as such were looking to make the announcement as soon as it is completed. Nine candidates have already been ratified, with ten more soon to follow.
"We are in the middle of our candidate process, which includes an element now of due diligence where we do research on persons coming forward as candidates and the branches get to have a say and councils have a say. People will be disappointed because some of our branches, three or four persons have come forward and they may not be chosen for the constituency of their choice," said the President.
Errol Barrow Memorial activities
Acting General Secretary Damien Griffith had made the announcement of the acitivies earlier during the Zoom Press Conference. He highlighted that the annual church service, which will be held on January 17th at 8:30 am would still be part of the events, but for the first time will be held via online streaming.
Errol Barrow Day, January 21st, will feature the annual Errol Barrow Memorial Lecture at 6 pm, with the guest speaker Ronnie Yearwood, The University of the West Indies Lecturer in the Faculty of Law with a history in political affairs. Griffith explained that Yearwood would bring a needed perspective which would engage all aspects of society. Additionally on the 21st, the DLP will present the Mirror Image and Pride of Barbados awards for 2021.
The Young Dems "Paint N Sip" is slated for January 23 rd at 1 pm, a DLP North Zone Meeting on the 24 th at 5 pm and finally on January 30th, a DLP Games Night at 7 pm. (AS)