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Guy Hewitt and Verla De peiza
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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…

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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.

215 responses to “De Peiza versus Hewitt – (D)LP for Democratic”

  1. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @Tony
    “Scripted misquotes” is a good description…lol

  2. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks NO, some on this blog would make us believe it is a pristine place where they reside and Barbados is the last bastion of corruption to be found on the planet.

    #agendas

  3. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “The beauty of a small island with a single government, they are fewer places to hide.”

    that’s how they got caught…they are too small to hide anymore and going forward will get AWAY WITH NOTHING and will be WATCHED very closely far and wide…by ALL African descended..them and their corrupt minority friends..they only got away for 54 years because too many people were NOT paying attention and watching any of these frauds…but not anymore.

  4. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @David
    The challenge is if I have a 14ft aluminum row boat, and I have a single nail hole, I can keep it afloat. Probably even with 5 or 6. Yet if the next hole is bigger, my challenge increases. On a 40 ft vessel with a functional bilge pump, these may be manageable.
    Small economies with limited revenue streams cannot tolerate lots of leakage.
    Especially when much of their expense load is fixed.

  5. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Useless CXC with their corrupt immunity..

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/12/students-lodge-school-wait-hours-start-cxc-exam/

  6. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    So is it true, that two men ACCUSED of murder have been locked away in a psychiatric ward since the 1980s and “forgotten”…trying to confirm…

  7. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Northern..looks like it got wrestled back and away from the bjerkham and tempro scam company…but it’s so cursed with corruption let’s see what, if anything, can come of it..

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/14/four-seasons-back-market/

  8. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    @wura 5:18
    Was reading one of the comments in the newspaper…
    “Riri this is a good opportunity to invest”

    I’ve notice that Riri’s money gets mentioned quite often. What they do to the oldsters returning from overseas they will also do to her. Opportunists, salivating and waiting.

  9. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    @wura
    I will have to wait and see if there is truth in the prisoners’ story.

    Surely after finding one man who was lost in the system for 20 years, a review of all systems was done to identify these outliers.

    What manner of people work at these places?

  10. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @WW&C
    Who knows? The political idea of “clearing the air” usually creates more questions than it answers.
    Since the GoB was very quiet on the Clearwater Bay Ltd write down (off?), stories like this just add mud to murky waters. Which of course is the intent.

  11. David Avatar
    David

    The government claims it was a book entry, the guarantee was called by that was the end of it.

  12. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Ok I get it
    As stated by Straughn the loan was made within an agreement between the two parties and guarantee by past govt to the bank
    Govt fulfilled the obligation since the principle party did not pay the loan
    However it would be of interest if govt has pursued legal avenues to recoup the 124million from the first party
    Or if govt made a decision not to do so
    In my humble opinion if taxpayers monies are used to pay off private business debt
    Govt owes the taxpayer a right of seeking legal avenues in effort to have the funds returned to their rightful owners
    Not understanding how govt might have paid off the debt and reach a point where the story ends without seeking a legal resolution on behalf of the taxpayers
    With all that is being explained the taxpayers were being disadvantage

  13. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “Surely after finding one man who was lost in the system for 20 years, a review of all systems was done to identify these outliers.

    What manner of people work at these places?”

    A) dont hold your breath
    B) you think you do, but you really, really don’t want to know.

    the population actively avoid going anywhere near them for these very reasons.

    “stories like this just add mud to murky waters. Which of course is the intent.”

    sleight of hand, 3 card monte…something they WILL NEVER get away with in this region again, ever, they just don’t know it yet..

  14. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “I’ve notice that Riri’s money gets mentioned quite often. What they do to the oldsters returning from overseas they will also do to her. Opportunists, salivating and waiting.”

    i don’t know why they don’t leave her alone and GO FIND THE 6 BILLION DOLLARS THEY STOLE…and the 1 BILLION DOLLARS they wrote off for minority embezzlers and thieves, the 1/2 million they allowed friends and family to get away with tax evasion…

    if they think they are exposed on the continent now, let them rip her off in any shape or fashion and see JUST HOW EXPOSED THEY CAN BECOME..they are too covetous and refuse to use their one brain cell to do anything worthwhile FOR THE PEOPLE they beg for votes…

  15. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    And when you have given up hope, beacons appear and restore your faith in your countrymen.
    https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/08/14/wipe-covid-19-criminal-record/

  16. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Tomorrow both Depexia and Hewitt would have head to head meetings via fb live
    The outlook for Verla Depezia looks good
    However can count out Hewitt who seems to have been able to attract the hearts of many members old and young
    The Democratic process is being put to the test any questions left unanswered regarding the process can leave a bitter taste and more division in the party
    Whoever wins have my support

  17. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Rihanna worked hard for her money and can decide for herself what she wants to do with it. She is generous and loyal to Barbados but far from stupid.

    Bajans need to leave her alone and get up and fix the country themselves.

    And to besides, corruption drains more from our economy than Riri could ever replace.

    Don’t call on Rihanna! Call on Mia!

    She is the servant on our payroll!

    Pathetic!

  18. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    If Rev. Hewitt really wants to be DLP Prez, he should first let the public know where he stands on Donville Inniss and homegrown crime in general.

    As practice for the Prime Ministership as Barrow’s true heir, I recommend him to inhale from the toilet every morning so that he can comprehend for once what the local masses went through on the South Coast between 2008 to 2018 while he was living it up in London with his British masters. I am not aware of Hewitt ever complaining about the unspeakable conditions in Barbados.

  19. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Donna
    A lot of these jokers believe that Rihana is running a charity and can just take up money wily nilly and give us.
    They have no idea how many dozens of people she employs; the millions in taxes she has to pay and ensuring she is not taken to the poor house by scammers.
    I can bet that thousands of people who knew nothing of Barbados knows it now. I can bet that several thousand has also been tourists because of her.
    In many ways she had already given us millions of dollars in free advertising and exposure throughout the globe.
    Quite frankly in real terms she has been a real gift and she has remained faithful and positive of Bim.
    I think the only global figure we had before her was Sir Garry Sobers.
    Only clowns would believe she can indulge in “ investments “ in Bim without careful analysis and advice.
    They should be putting pressure on the corporate sharks to spend some of their profits earned by exploiting our workers and paying them less than $300 per week for the last fifty or more years.
    Rihana has not exploited one single Bajan worker to get where she is.

  20. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    They won’t understand that her portfolio is even more precarious now, they can’t think that far…they got billionaire’s mouth for what is not theirs.

  21. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ WURA
    When the political class strives on making mendicancy a pillar of its collective policy, it automatically becomes embedded in the people. That’s why they see Rihana as a cash cow.

  22. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    William Skinner,

    Rihanna does something for Barbados every day. She inspires the young people to pursue their dreams. Worth more than her weight in gold.

    We should be calling for those who drained the public purse to return the funds.

  23. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Donna
    Correct. She has given them the greatest gift: Self belief.

  24. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “When the political class strives on making mendicancy a pillar of its collective policy, it automatically becomes embedded in the people.”

    they should see the real cash cows in the ones who helped them steal the people’s money…they really can’t be that deluded that they will get away with any of it..

  25. David Avatar
    David

    Nation Editorial
    DLP conference with a difference

    The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) holds its annual general conference this week, beginning on Wednesday.
    This is one with a difference. Without any seats in the House of Assembly, and no voices in the Senate, the party has struggled since 2018 to reassert itself as the major opposition voice.
    Within the past three months, Reverend Guy Hewitt, a former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has thrown his hat in the ring and has been vocal in his criticism of the leadership of the party and of the Government.
    Without any constituency openly backing him until three ridings recently declared their open support for his pitch for the presidency, his candidature is now being supported by video advertisements on Facebook. He also suffered a setback when the Executive Council ruled against his bid for the Christ Church West Central riding.
    General Election
    The wider public watches on. It has an interest in this conference as the party of the founder of our Independence struggles with itself on the cusp of a General Election, which must be held within the next two years, and may well be called sooner.
    Verla De Peiza, the DLP’s first female leader, has had the unenviable task of leading a resurrection of the party’s fortunes in the wake of the clean sweep by the Barbados Labour Party led by Mia Amor Mottley, a politician who assumed the prime ministership in 2018 with 14 years of ministerial office and about seven years leadership of the Opposition on her report card.
    Miss De Peiza, by contrast, has never held ministerial office of any kind, and Rev. Hewitt has never even contested local political office but led a successful campaign putting the case for the Windrush victims during his term in London.
    Public interest
    The wider public has a clear interest in what happens, but the party delegates will have to seriously consider where, why and how to cast their ballots for the leadership of Errol Barrow’s great party.
    However the matter plays out, the provision of opportunities by local political parties for their younger members who show leadership interest and potential to come through as leaders is now shown to be critical.
    Former leaders of both parties such as Sir Lloyd Sandiford, the late Owen Arthur and David Thompson, and Miss Mottley herself were given the opportunity as young politicians to show their potential.
    The country benefited from that wisdom.

    Source: Nation

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Hewitt’s flawed political strategy

    By Ezra Alleyne

    I had planned to write on Rev Guy Hewitt’s spirited annual conference challenge for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) presidency.
    Hewitt (and his advisers) fell into a major political blunder in trying to capture the DLP nomination for the Christ Church East Central seat. The DLP executive council last Tuesday night rejected his efforts to reopen the nomination.
    Bad strategy! Hewitt should have remembered the Biblical truth that, “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
    With the conference so close, all Hewitt had to do was to play safe and continue to excite and energise the party’s rank and file. Win, lose or draw at the conference he could have been a man to reckon with in the future DLP.
    He failed, and I cannot understand why he would have done such an unwise thing. His image as a winner which followed his successful Windrush campaign is now damaged, permanently.
    Quite frankly, not even a fiery, but figuratively speaking “cracking of some heads speech with fire and brimstone” on the side can help Hewitt now.
    Tails in air
    At the conference, Verla De Peiza’s supporters will have their tails in the air, and given the “personal edge” to Hewitt’s early campaign rhetoric for the presidency, some muscular language may be served up by them on Hewitt’s plate. Their bark will be loud and their bite sharp.
    This aspect of conferencing is emphatically public business, because whoever becomes leader of any major party is a potential prime minister. My money is now on Verla.
    The other matter is the referendum. During this past week, I read Dr Peter Laurie’s balanced, nonpartisan, realistic comment on becoming a republic. It sets out rational reasons why we should become a republic now.
    I agree with what he has to say. His views are logical, as well as constitutionally and politically sound. Above all they are practical. That feature distinguishes his views from some other recent theoretical opinions I have heard or read.
    For example, he thinks that we should deal with the head of state issue now and not wait for the two or three years while we thrash out any other changes which we may wish to make generally after extensive and in-depth analysis of the Constitution.
    My other point is this: As a matter of law and history the referendum is a particular check and balance written into some constitutions. It is regarded as the highest level of obstacle to change of constitutions.
    Not in Constitution
    Now, no referendum approval is needed to alter any provision of the Independence Constitution in Barbados. So, the fact that a referendum
    was deliberately not included in Barbados’ Constitution is to my mind a statement by the founding fathers, including Prime Minister Errol Barrow, that the Barbados experience did not require such a prohibitive barrier to change the Constitution.
    It might also mean that time and history (between 1958 and 1962 and onto 1966) had shown that referenda were required in only very special circumstances which did not and does not include the Barbadian experience and constitutional history.
    In my view, there can be no practical political reason why we should not move to republican status, now considering that the leaders of the two major political parties, when in office, had given their approval to a move to republican status with a ceremonial head of state who is a Barbadian.
    I note the views of all those who are arguing for a wholesale revision of the Constitution and a referendum before republican status. In an ideal world I suppose one could totally ignore the declared views of Prime Ministers Owen Arthur and Frenduel Stuart, not to mention the aged and eternal wisdom of Prime Minister Barrow whose views still resonate with us. But those prime ministerial opinions must stand for something.
    Let us face facts. The clear answers to questions whether we should become a republic and whether there should be a referendum are to be found in Barrow’s Mirror Image speech and the speech moving the Resolution for Independence in the Barbados Parliament. They are in the book edited by Hewitt.
    To have given Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley unqualified support for the proposal to become a republic while attacking De Peiza on her “leadership” performance, and her call for a Budget, would have been an example of high political strategy for Hewitt.
    Alas, as he himself said before his “hat in the ring days”, he does not have the “psyche” of the politician. Hence Hewitt still searches for a constituency. I gone!
    Ezra Alleyne is an attorney and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    Source: Nation

  27. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    It is not surprising that EA would leave the crease to make a point..

    “Constitution.
    My other point is this: As a matter of law and history the referendum is a particular check and balance written into some constitutions. It is regarded as the highest level of obstacle to change of constitutions.
    Not in Constitution
    Now, no referendum approval is needed to alter any provision of the Independence Constitution in Barbados. So, the fact that a referendum
    was deliberately not included in Barbados’ Constitution is to my mind a statement by the founding fathers, including Prime Minister Errol Barrow, that the Barbados experience did not require such a prohibitive barrier to change the Constitution.”

    It will sit here and watch him justify the use of a referendum for same-sex marriage. When says “Such a matter is so important that it requires input from every citizen” I will be here laughing.

  28. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    “In an ideal world I suppose one could totally ignore the declared views of Prime Ministers Owen Arthur and Frenduel Stuart, not to mention the aged and eternal wisdom of Prime Minister Barrow whose views still resonate with us. But those prime ministerial opinions must stand for something.”

    Suddenly the words of a 0-30 politician carries a ton of weight. And doesn’t action speak louder than words. Should their words trump inaction! We know politicians in Barbados would say anything.

    After reading EA carefully.. C+

  29. TheoGAzerts Avatar
    TheoGAzerts

    “To have given Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley unqualified support for the proposal to become a republic while attacking De Peiza on her “leadership” performance, and her call for a Budget, would have been an example of high political strategy for Hewitt”.

    Unqualified nonsense and bad advice to Guy. Praise Motley and savage Verla is the advice.

    Then in 2023, Guy may be wanting to recall his praise of Mia and his attacks on Verla. His reaction to Mia and Verla should never be linked together. Absolutely no praise for Mia.

    It is clear that EA does not wish Verla, Guy or the DLP well.

    We the SEA (stop EA) people call on the blogmaster to cease this weekly assault on our good senses.

  30. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Hewitts flawed political strategy
    Could have been a point of action to become a test of the Democratic process under the rules of guidelines of the Dlp
    Hewitt is not stupid that much all knows

  31. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Guy might not be a politician but he is a shrewd strategist
    Win or lose
    Why would Verla put the party under a microscope by which the democratic process was being scrutinized as not being fair

  32. David Avatar
    David

    Cry of foul tactics

    WITH THE RACE for the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) presidency entering its final lap, candidate Reverend Guy Hewitt is crying foul over what he says is the behaviour meted out to him and his supporters.
    He told a meeting of the party’s Christ Church South branch at the Deighton Griffith Secondary School, and those watching via Facebook that not only were they attacked, but information he requested relating to the election at the annual conference this weekend was not forthcoming and neither was the code of conduct he suggested.
    Hewitt, who is going up against incumbent Verla de Peiza, who has been leading the 66-year-old party since its massive defeat in the 2018 General Election, said that from the launch of his campaign, he publicly commended her for doing so.
    However, he added, “at this juncture there is a need for a different quality of leadership that is able to project a vision and policies of the wider electorate, and mobilise the resources needed to win an election and ultimately for Government”.
    He argued that the principles of democracy and transparency in the campaign were not being adhered to “and we need to talk hard truths”.
    “I made a request for the membership list because I felt it was appropriate for me to be able to reach out to those I am seeking to lead. That request was ignored. I made a request for a meeting to discuss the procedures for the election having received, as comrade Ronald [Jones] alluded to, reliable reports about highly suspect practices in the elections last year. That request was ignored.
    “How can we unite behind a leader, a leader of this party, and go to the people for support if we have no guarantee that our internal elections are going to be free and fair?” he asked to applause.
    Hewitt, alleging that “dozens of people who submitted applications” to join the DLP and paid membership fees were “disenfranchised because they are not being allowed to vote at the annual conference”, said he raised the concern.
    “I asked that this election abide by a code of conduct – decency, integrity. This has been ignored. Persons have attacked me personally, spread
    disinformation about my purported demand for a rural constituency.
    “And then there have been those who, because of youthful loyalty, sought to defame me by saying I had come trying to do a deal for their support.
    “I protested this behaviour again, got no meaningful response from our leader . . . . I don’t want to be treated as if I’m special because I’m not, but all of us deserve a little consideration. I was disappointed after bringing more energy and more focus on the DLP in the last three months, than we have gotten in the last three years, not to be given, even at the 11th hour, any consideration for Christ Church East Central.”
    He added: “I said, ‘Cuh dear man, ya ain’t had to do me so’. I didn’t say I should have been the candidate, I’m saying give me a little consideration, treat me with the respect that you are demanding from others,” said a fired-up Hewitt. (GBM)

    Source: Nation

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Verla calls on party faithful to turn out and vote

    DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY (DLP) president Verla De Peiza last night threw out a challenge to party faithful – either choose to be led by her, or follow her rival Reverend Guy Hewitt.
    Addressing a St Joseph branch meeting at Grantley Adams Memorial School in Blackman’s, she told those in attendance and others following online: “You need to know, and have firmly in your mind, the direction that you want your party and your country to go. And if you don’t hear people talking anything else other than ‘bigging up’ themselves, then that is all they have to offer. If you can’t play on a team, then you need to be a spectator,” she said to a standing ovation and chants of her name.
    “I will say up front, I am not afraid of a challenge. Last year, I took the high road. This year I take the road that is paved, so then, when you are going to get in any public space and criticise my Democratic Labour Party, I will answer you. We have a space for that. We have branches, join one; we have councils, write one. You cannot burn down the house you want to live in,” she declared. She called on members to turn up in their numbers next weekend and cast their ballots at the annual general conference to be held at the DLP’s George Street Auditorium in Belleville, St Michael.
    “Our party got here through the struggle of men and women who understood it was bigger than they were. Whether you are religious, or you just think the Bible is a good book, the stories are pertinent and you don’t have to wear a collar
    to understand the stories in the Bible.
    “The best refining happens when you go through the fire, and we have been through the fire together, she said. (RA)

    Source: Nation

  34. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Fighting over a o’ rock in the ocean is pathetic unless your intention is to make life better for the people.

    Talking too much about these people makes them feel important.

    This so-called intrigue is not at all intriguing.

    Yawn.

    P.S. If I were Guy I would stop complaining and lead by example. Complaining looks like petty politicking. He should lay out his vision and leave the people to make their choice.

  35. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    These political issues at the party level are important because the players will ultimately have a part to play charting national discourse and policy.

  36. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    When six is the same as half dozen it matters none.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    You cannot expect to change anything by showing avoidance. We need to pressure the political parties to democratize the selection process to encourage quality candidates.

  38. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Is Guy the fall guy

  39. Lorenzo Avatar
    Lorenzo

    David BU .it really does not matter much which of these two wi n not even to dome dems.In my opinion having heard both especially Ms Depeiza neither has much chance against Ms Mottley and the BLP come next election.At least Rev Hewitt has brought some needed fire to the dems.Altbough he reminds me a lot of Mr Thompson with a lot of fancy talk and not much substance.However he is a better choice for the leadership in my view at this time.I gone.

  40. David Avatar
    David

    @Lorenzo

    Do not count your chickens so early.

  41. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @ Lorenzo August 16, 2021 7:36 PM

    I share your opinion. Rev. Hewitt resembles Thompson in some ways. To me, a comparison with Nicolás Maduro also seems justified.

    Hewitt talks a lot about integrity, but to this day has not published the list of expensive luxury goods that he imported tax- and duty-free from London to Barbados as a former ambassador. The masses have a right to know to what extent Hewitt lives a life of luxury like a white plantation owner. How many luxury cars did he bring with him at the expense of the suffering working-class?

  42. David Avatar
    David

    DLP spat hits the airwaves

    THE TWO CONTENDERS for leadership of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) engaged in a war of words on the airwaves yesterday over issues of fairness, transparency and personal attacks.
    Less than 24 hours after each raised the political temperature at separate party meetings, both incumbent Verla De Peiza and her challenger Reverend Guy Hewitt faced off during Starcom Network’s Down To Brass Tacks radio call-in programme yesterday.
    On Sunday night, De Peiza, addressing a St Joseph branch meeting at Grantley Adams Memorial School, had called on the party faithful to make up their minds if they wanted to be led by her or Hewitt.
    He, in turn, cried foul at a Christ Church South branch meeting at the Deighton Griffith School, saying he and his supporters were being mistreated, and he was not being provided with certain information by the party.
    In response to the former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom’s call to Brass Tacks to reiterating that he was being mistreated, De Peiza told listeners Hewitt had his eyes on the coveted constituency of St John, a DLP stronghold before the last general election and seemed to want special treatment that would lead to his being nominated by the branch to run there.
    Former senator Andre Worrell has already secured the nomination to run in the rural riding.
    De Peiza stressed that the DLP had a certain process which led to candidates being chosen, and that would not be altered for Hewitt.
    “He had his mind set on St John, which was not available,” she told the programme. “And then to come, not even at the 11th hour, but at one minute past midnight, to get special consideration, while claiming that you don’t want special consideration. There was consideration, but it simply was not in his favour,” she explained.
    She said the question was asked at general council and executive council level if the application by Hewitt should be considered, and it was an overwhelming no. “That didn’t come from me; it came from the council,” De Peiza said.
    In terms of attacks on her as president, the attorney said she was made aware of a recent voice note disseminated by Hewitt supporters. “I have been subject to personal attacks on social media by his supporters. It is most disingenuous to suggest that he is running a clean, virtuous campaign, when nothing can be further from the truth,” she declared.
    However, Hewitt stoutly denied this. “The president of the Democratic Labour Party has just publicly
    said she has a voice note recording of me attacking her personally. That is a serious allegation. I challenge her to release that so people can hear it. I have never sought to go after her personally,” he said.
    In a later call to Starcom, Hewitt said he was wary about how the presidential election, which will be the main feature of the party’s annual general conference later this month, would be run.
    “What I am fundamentally concerned about is the lack of transparency in the preparation for this election of president. I asked for a membership list, I haven’t got it. I asked for meetings to go through the process to make sure the election would be free and fair, and I got no response,” he said.

    Source: Nation

  43. David Avatar
    David

    DLP ‘must focus on important things

    THE DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY (DLP) still has a lot to fight for, says a former minister, and members need “to continue as a party focusing on the important things”.
    Speaking at a meeting on Sunday night put on by Reverend Guy Hewitt at Deighton Griffith Secondary School, John Boyce, a former minister of health and Member of Parliament (MP) for Christ Church South, told members and supporters he noticed that since Hewitt threw his hat in the ring for the presidency, the “party has come back to life”.
    “We therefore need ask ourselves why should we disregard a person who’s demonstrated the kind of leadership qualities that are required to attract the attention of Barbadians; that are required to bring the Democratic Labour Party back together as an organisation; that are required to take the voice of the Democratic Labour Party onto the highways and byways of Barbados once again. So we understand the message and we are not bickering about who is Prime Minister or who is not Prime Minister or who is the Attorney General.
    “We have to put policies in front of the people of Barbados that they can be comfortable, that by supporting the organisation of the Democratic Labour Party, they have a government, a leadership for the future,” he said.
    Boyce, an MP from 2008 to 2018, told the audience that included former Cabinet colleagues, candidates and members of the party’s organs, there was “absolutely nothing wrong” with challenges for executive positions.
    “To pretend that the programme which Guy has put in place to run for the presidency of the Democratic Labour Party is some kind of anger at, and some kind of treachery, is wrong. We are accustomed in this party to severe challenges between each other as we try to get the best person to serve the organisation.
    “And the members of the party must always have that choice whenever they go to an annual conference,” he said. (GBM)

    Source: Nation

  44. David Avatar
    David

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSrwvLnl3x8/

  45. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Hello….politics is in the air so I am back! I read BU regularly but have not been posting.

    I am hoping that Verla will defeat Guy Hewitt, if she soundly defeated George Pilgrim who was a household name in the DLP, she should be able to beat this pompous, arrogant, self serving johnny come lately. I was no fan of Freundel Stuart but how he disrespected the PM after he was tardy in calling the election showed the calibre of man Guy Hewitt is. He showed off when he got the call from the PM asking him to go to London and then he minded his friend Donville and dissed the PM publicly while still being HC.

    Guy Hewitt is all about Guy Hewitt… forget all of this flowery talk….when he loses, I doubt the dems will see him again. He will run back to Florida. I am yet to hear the dems who are supporting him ask him if he is going to run the party from Florida. He is behaving like if he wins the presidency, he is automatically PM. The dems do not know this man, he does not stick to anything for too long, he is a user.

    I laughed when I hear him complaining about unfair tactics…..karma they say is a $itch. While he asked the Anglican church to put his licence on hold and jumped at Freundel’s offer to fly high in the UK, he left the UK and came down here to spew a big lie during the church’s elective synod. He did not care that he was lying and causing more confusion, he had and agenda against one of the candidates and he went all out to do damage. The shoe is on the other foot and now he knows what is done maliciously, hurts.

    I hope Verla beats him badly. Two losses, St John and CCEC, one more to go!

  46. David Avatar
    David

    The BLP prefers to run a general election campaign against Verla, who so far has not been able to whip up enthusiasm outside George Street?

  47. David Avatar
    David

    Jones says negativity in DLP a concern

    THE “CAMPAIGN of negativity blowing” in the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) election for the executive posts has former minister of education Ronald Jones “bamboozled”.
    In a ringing endorsement of Reverend Guy Hewitt for DLP president at a meeting on Sunday at Deighton Griffith Secondary School, the party stalwart said he was called “a traitor” when he invited Hewitt to Christ Church East Central, the constituency he represented up until the 2018 General Election.
    “So, whom am I betraying? What treachery did I perform? When I came into the DLP I didn’t pledge loyalty to the president or the vice-president. I pledged loyalty to the party and the ideals of the party,” Jones said to applause.
    “That’s what I did. I didn’t support any cabal. I never became any part of any group, this group or that. I supported Clyde Mascoll against Branford Taitt . . . ,” he said.
    Jones said although Hewitt had responded to the call to serve the party at this time, he had heard his name in Christ Church West “for some time but there were people there”.
    “I am glad that you have come and showed your face to seek office; people talk about presidency but to seek office. It is that you’ve said presidency is where you think your skills and talent and knowledge and experiences in managing, administering for years, would be better served or better suited. What is wrong with that?” he asked.
    Jones also spoke about last year’s internal election, noting he wrote a two-page letter asking for information about the returning officer and general procedures but had not received a response. He said information such as the candidates’ list was given to parties nationally and asked why DLP candidates could not receive the same information for its internal election.
    Furthermore, he said with the party looking for supporters in the next election, it must get members first, supporters second, followed by “supporters of other political parties to join that group; otherwise, we can’t win”.
    The former MP said that with four elections under his belt, the last one being 2018 when he and the party’s entire slate of candidates were ousted, he was done “knocking at people’s houses”. (GBM)

    Source: Nation

  48. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    David, ‘as the old people used to say’…………

    …………. “like um is cat piss and pepper.”

    Fortunately for DEM, they have approximately one (1) year and nine (9) months before the 2023 general elections, to sort out and present themselves to the electorate as a united political party.

    Unfortunately, on the other hand, they spent too much time during the past three (3) and three (3) engaging in frivolous criticisms and fighting amongst themselves, rather than presenting any feasible, alternative socioeconomic policies

  49. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    You hit it, the post annual conference position will be interesting for onlookers and political pundits.

  50. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ David August 18, 2021 9:12 AM

    It would be interesting to find out if Dr. Ronnie Yearwood will be ‘chosen’ as a candidate to run on a DLP ticket.

    Which riding would you recommend for him, Blogmaster?

    SJS now that the Don has lost both his personal freedom and political influence?

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