‘FITTING TRIBUTE’

May 21 is an important day in the life of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and the constituency of St. John and the Party’s candidate for that constituency in the upcoming election, if elected, intends to ensure that day is duly recognised.

George Pilgrim, the DLP’s candidate for St. John, made the comments while speaking to the media yesterday afternoon during a canvass of the area. Pilgrim, who is hoping come Thursday to secure his seat so that he can continue the 60-year relationship that was started between that constituency and the DLP on May 21, 1958, took time yesterday to reminisce with constituents who knew the late Member of Parliament, the country’s first Prime Minister and National Hero the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

“I want to be able to find a way for the young people of St. John to have an appreciation for May 21 as a day of significance in the life of the St. John people. It cannot go unremembered, and if given the opportunity to serve the people of St. John, I intend to make May 21 a day of political significance in St. John. I will not allow the memory of Barrow to be sullied by those redcoats who have come to St. John on the pretence that it is time for change in St. John,” Pilgrim contended.

He added, “Today to me is a day of political significance because we are remembering the Father of Independence in a very special way, in a very St. John way.”

His comments came as he maintained that the Barbados Labour Party used the now completed St. John Polyclinic “as a symbol of spite” to punish the people of St. John and by extension anybody who supported the DLP. That, he said, is a fact that the residents have not forgotten.
“I think it is a fitting tribute that elections are being held in this period and it clear to me that the people of St. John still hold the late national hero in their hearts dearly in moving around and canvassing in St. John. Barrow is alive and well, the work that Barrow has done for St. John, the work that Barrow has done for Barbados, the work that Barrow has done for the Caribbean is very fond in the memories of the good folks of St. John,” the DLP hopeful added.

Pilgrim said he is cognisant he has big shoes to fill left by his predecessors, including the late David Thompson and the outgoing MP, Mara Thompson, but maintained he is up to the task and committed to the people of the constituency.

One resident, Peter Howell, a retired nurse, said he has fond memories of Mr. Barrow coming to his home when he was a child and helping himself to his “grandmother’s pot”. That personable disposition which the late leader possessed, he said, is something that all politicians should aspire to have. He made the point while stating emphatically that he would be giving Pilgrim his support on May 24, contending that the BLP was making unrealistic promises to the people of Barbados.

“How could I vote for the Barbados Labour Party? Them ain’t got anything to offer me. All I would want to see you do for us up here is to look after the young people, try to get some of them off the block; that is very vital. But I understand that you can’t do for everybody,” the 70-year old told Pilgrim.

Similar sentiments about Mr. Barrow were expressed by long time St. John resident Odessa Waithe, who proudly displayed an official photograph of the late leader. She fondly remembered him and described him not only as a good prime minister, but a good MP. (JRT)