It was on this day 57 years ago that 26 people assembled at the home of the late Elsie Burrowes. On this occasion, Barbados was given an alternative in Barbadian politics. The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was born.
Over the years we have seen much growth and development in this small nation. The first election contest for the party saw four successful candidates – Mr Brancker, Mr Tudor, Mr Crawford and Mr Smith. However, in 1961, we won 14 of the 24 seat that lead to a 15-year period of social engineering. We brought transformation in education by lifting the burden of paying school fees at secondary schools.
This was an act that was diametrically opposed to the agenda of the Adams era of governance. This single act allowed for schools to be opened up to the poorest in the land. We built Springer Memorial, Ellerslie Secondary, St George Secondary and St Lucy Secondary schools in a short space of time.
As a young political party we understood the importance of putting people at the centre. We came and found an elitist party in office and went about emancipating politics and empowering the poorest.
Over the first 15 years we constructed 3 539 housing units of which 3 321 were stone structures. The areas of education and housing serve to illustrate the agenda of the focused DLP-led Government. It was during this period that our nation was transformed from a village to a community.
Once again this year we celebrate the work of our forefathers and supporters. It is during this anniversary period that we bring our members and supporters together in fellowship.
This year we will be travelling to St Joseph where the DLP candidate for the constituency, Dennis Holder, and the branch will be hosting the annual anniversary church service. We are inviting all Barbados to join us in fellowship as we gather at St Ann’s Anglican Church for the service at 9:30 a.m. Afterwards, we will have a luncheon on the grounds of the church.
A very special tribute will be organized to remember Elsie Burrowes, our female founder member, on April 25 at DLP headquarters.
As a party, we fully appreciate the importance of saying thank you. This event will be used to pay tribute to Burrowes in poetry, drama and testimony.
On April 27 we will host our new members to an evening of elegance as they gather on the grounds of party headquarters to take the oath and be accepted officially into the fold. We have always accepted the responsibility of welcoming new members in a very special way. Members will be treated to a dramatic production titled Bag Blind which is intended to add to the tools we use to remind and educate people of the contribution by the DLP to transforming our landscape.
These events are open to the public and we encourage everyone to participate.
This is our last celebration before we go the polls and we want all members and supporters to report for duty as we arm ourselves in defence of building a society, not only an economy.
