Sandiford-Garner not returning to St. Andrew
Irene Sandiford-Garner is stepping back from elective politics, and also will not seek re-election for the position of First-Vice President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
She made this announcement to members of the media yesterday, on the eve of the Executive and General Council elections slated to be held during the DLP’s 65th Annual General Conference this weekend.
The Party’s candidate for the parish of St. Andrew since the 2008 General Election, and former Senator said that she reached the decision after very careful consideration.
As a senior filling positions on the Executive of the DLP from 2000, Sandiford-Garner explained that she wishes to give the ‘young blood’ of the political party a chance to prove themselves.
“I am not seeking re-election. I had said I was going to serve one year, and I ended up serving two. But, I do believe in my case that I have come to the stage where I should be in a position of mentorship, and guidance for some of our young people. We have some very bright young people coming forward in the party who need space, and if persons like me who have been 1st Vice-President on three separate occasions over the years – if we continue to take up positions on the Executive then you don’t leave space for those young persons to grow, and any institution needs to have some type of succession plan,” she maintained.
“We can only have that if those of us who are more mature politically, make the decision to give the young ones some space. You can be accessible with information and share experiences without holding an official position, give them the chance now to learn how to lead with your guidance. So, that’s one of the reasons why I am not coming back a third year.”
“I think that people like Simon Alleyne, and Ryan Walters need some type of space to grow with some of the older persons like Steve Blackett, who is returning, who can guide them and give that assistance and I am prepared to do the same from behind the scenes,” she pointed out.
Sandiford-Garner said that her decision not to contest the 2023 General Election was relayed to the branch long ago.
In fact, while not disclosing a name, she has given the assurance that the party’s next candidate for St. Andrew is fit and ready for the job.
“I am stepping back from elective politics and I spoke with my branch a long time ago and we have a new candidate who has been ratified by the party, and who has been out on the ground in St Andrew and I have given him all my support – materially and morally to get through,” she revealed.
“This is not something I woke up thinking about yesterday. I gave this careful consideration after the 2018 elections, which I did not plan to contest, but I did anyway. But, my decision now is firm, that I will help any young person who plans to carry the flag for this party – who is committed, sincere, and not opportunistic. Because I see politics as an opportunity to serve; not as an opportunity to get by.”
General Secretary Guyson Mayers also disclosed that he will sit out this year’s election, “Like Irene, I am not offering myself this year for re-election as General Secretary. But, I am just trying to ensure that we have a transparent and fair process and that everybody is given a fair shot at realizing their ambition to serve the party in whatever capacity.”
DLP President Verla De Peiza declared that the young people of Barbados have not turned their backs on the party.
“We have a crop of young person’s coming through who are very promising. It is very much encouraging for the party to know that despite the setbacks that we had in our current history, we still have young people who are willing to be a part not only of the process of shaping the party and modernizing the party, but also being the face and the front of the party.”
“We have had some of them already ratified by the Party as candidates and we are very much active in that process,” she said also revealing that the DLP’s candidate for St. George North will be announced next week. (TL)