De Peiza versus Hewitt – (D)LP for Democratic

The annual conference of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is scheduled to be held from 18th to 22nd of August 2021. Although political parties are technically private clubs, parochial decisions taken have national ramifications. In this instance the establishment and incumbent President of the DLP Verla De peiza will be challenged by newcomer Reverend Guy Hewitt IF all things remain the same.
The blogmaster is confident the establishment candidate will win the contest. Neither of the two main political party have shown an appetite over the years to embrace a ‘rock the boat’ approach to doing its business. Although Hewitt is a political neophyte compared to De peiza, his entry to the political space in a short three months has spurred a hitherto lethargic DLP into unaccustomed activity. For more than a decade the DLP has developed a slow to respond culture, inherited from the leadership styles of former leader of the party Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and carried on by incumbent Verla De peiza.
It is unfortunate with 2023 quickly approaching and the possibility of an early bell, the DLP has to be distracted by a leadership challenge. DLPites will explain the situation playing out between De peiza and Hewitt by saying the DLP manages its affairs democratically and the party will be stronger for it. The blogmaster begs to differ. A strong leader must be able to command the respect and support of a political party at this stage of the election cycle.
The blogmaster watched the video of the combined DLP St. Phillip branch meeting held last week at which challenger Guy Hewitt delivered a ‘çall to arms’ speech. Even more interesting, he commanded the public endorsement of former ministers Ronald Jones and John Boyce as well as former member of parliament James Paul. Whether the public supports these three from the old guard or not, one suspects there is residual support within the bowels of the DLP for them. Added to which, former member of parliament representing St. Lucy Denis Kellman continues to withhold his endorsement for De peiza who is the DLP candidate selected to run in his former constituency.
All credit to Guy Hewitt who appears willing to fall in line should he lose the election. Unfortunately it will not erase doubts expressed about De Peiza’s ability to inspire a lacklustre DLP to win against the marauding political personage of Mia Mottley. All things considered the DLP can do no worse if Hewitt is selected to contest a Christ Church riding.
If anything is to be deduced from the unprecedented shellacking of the DLP in the 2018 general election, it is Barbadians have become impatient with the game the duopoly plays perennially of winning by default. We want the kind of representation from political parties willing to hold themselves accountable to the the citizenry. Regrettably a third party is not an option.
Gonna go
With tjoe
However, I think his “Out of this simple formula arises the thousand missteps now publicly on display within the DLP” may be a gross overestimation of the number of missteps.
I dislike her handling selection process for the candidate for the city.
On a personal note, nothing irritates me more than anointment, a decree from the king/queen or ‘pedigree’.
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Hewitt injected some life into what would be otherwise be a sleepy affair of a Party contest and he has energized some elements that were sitting on their hands even if it meant that they voted for his opponent. Verla should make some accommodation for him, but many politicians act in haste but repent at leisure.
I always thought that if Clyde Mascoll didn’t act in a fit of pique after he lost the leadership of the DLP he would have succeeded David Thompson and become PM, how different would the history be but he joined the BLP and is irrelevant today.
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I actually sent Clyde an e-mail saying just that.
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Bear in mind the members voting reflect those who are financial. Verla Depeiza winning against George Pilgrim and Guy Hewitt are wins but they were not strong candidates. George was labelled old guard and Hewitt a man who tried to win from top down without getting his hands dirty.
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https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/08/26/dlp-presidents-term-increased-from-one-to-two-years/
“While the motion was unanimously carried, party members claimed the vote was taken at a time when less than two dozen people were present.”
A ‘thousand missteps’ may be a good estimate. Looks as if we will have a clear choice between Mugabe and Mugabe.
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Obviously designed to blunt what Tennyson Joseph refers to as nuisance challenges for leadership of the DLP before 2023.
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“I always thought that if Clyde Mascoll didn’t act in a fit of pique after he lost the leadership of the DLP he would have succeeded David Thompson and become PM.”
Many people share that same opinion.
However, a rational analysis of the events leading up to when the no confidence was brought against Mascoll, along with the under hand methods used to remove him as Opposition and party leader, indicate otherwise.
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The sitting MPs wanted Thompson.
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The sitting MP’s wanted Arthur
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Sarge i noticed you always with this nonsense about if Mr Mascoll did not act in haste he could have been PM after Mr Thompson died? Tell us how do you know this? From a crystal ball?At that time after Mr Thompson had run away from a third straight defeat which would have ended his hopes for leadership,Mr Mascoll build up the party to seven MPs from two.Why the hell should he step aside for the opportunistic Thompson?Whst had Mr Thompson done or said in his over twenty years as MP or Minister to merit such dpecial treatment?Perhaps talking about young people working for bus fare and lunch money pr promising to expose all in queen , s park? We all know how that went.The evidence after Mr Thompson became PM and his dismal performance thereafter proved Mr Mascoll was right to do what he did in leaving that party.I agreed with him then and i still agree with him now.
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@Lorenzo
Have you ever heard of speculation? Have you ever heard of opinion? Have you ever heard of an educated guess? What if I wrote that if Grantley Adams hadn’t left Barbados to lead the WI Federation Errol Barrow would not have become Prime Minister.
As to what Thompson did to Mascoll it is grist to the mill; Arthur did many things to Mottley, but she didn’t bolt and I won’t rehash his statements.
I’m sure Clyde is happy to know that he has a supporter out there, that and a quarter wouldn’t even buy bread and two.
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Didn’t whine. Didn’t bolt. Saw him rejected in her favour. No sign of gloating. Saw him dead and buried. No sign of gloating.
And Clyde? Sheltering under her wing.
Now, how did she do that?
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Source: Nation
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Source: Nation
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