‘B’DIANS NEED DLP!’

“THE people of Barbados need the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) now more than ever!”

This declaration is coming from Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, who is prompting his colleagues to stand firm, and prepare for the highly anticipated upcoming General Elections which is yet to be called by the leader of his party and Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Excellent Freundel Stuart.

Jones made the remarks, during yesterday’s service at the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church, where members of the DLP, gathered to celebrate the day reserved nationally for the Father of Independence, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

Speaking about the significance of acknowledging the past, Jones said it is important to remember the sacrifices made by great men such as Barrow, who was one of the founding members of the DLP.

“All of us who are children of The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow have a duty to continue the development path of Barbados. We are going to have challenges, challenges caused by external factors, and there are so many that they are mind boggling.

“There are factors in our own country, but we shake them off as we continue to move forward as a party committed to the fullest and total development of Barbados; that has not escaped our minds, that has not escaped our eyes. . .

“So don’t be daunted, stand firm and go forward comrades. Ensure that on that day when the bell is rung, we shall continue to represent the good people of Barbados. Believe it or not, I believe they need us now more than ever,” he said to a rousing round of applause.

Jones, who spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Stuart, who was unable to attend the service, made the point that Barrow did not accomplish what he did on his own, as he had the support of others who helped him to rise to that leadership position.
Jones also noted that as a result of Barrow’s efforts, there was significant change in the entire development agenda of Barbados.

“I believe that is why there are persons who are telling us to forget the past. I will not forget, and I urge you not to forget. When a foundation is built, solid and firm, then we all can walk on it, then we all can march on it. Yes, cracks will appear, potholes will appear, but once we have the perseverance and the commitment, we can fix them.

“Once we have great men and women who are servants of the people, and to the people, then we can make all the adjustments necessary to continue to fulfil that agenda. An agenda is not complete, because an agenda reinvents itself to make sense of contemporary reality. We are making sense of contemporary reality in some of the most difficult times,” Jones said.

Jones said recently he paid close attention to a television production where a former President of the United States of America spoke about his eight year journey leading that powerful nation. The Member of Parliament indicated that the former President said his journey was not easy.

“So why should it be easy for us? Why should it be easy for the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow? If you study the history of that time, and of that period, you knew that he went through challenges.

“There were difficulties and periods in his journey as the leader of Barbados that was dumbfounded even to him and that caused great pain and anguish. But he rose and others supported him as well. So this morning, we celebrate his life,” he said. (AH)