David Estwick gets the nod as new DLP president

Former government minister Dr David Estwick was tonight voted in as the newest president of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).

Several party faithful braved heavy late-night showers, staying at the George Street, St Michael headquarters until the election results came in at 11:10 p.m. on the second day of the DLP’s annual general conference.

Estwick, a former St Philip West MP, defeated his former Cabinet colleague, Stephen Lashley 217-136 votes.

The two embraced, shared smiles and a brief conversation after the results were announced.

Lashley, an attorney-at-law, was the DLP’s acting president for the past five months, since former Opposition Leader and Political Leader Ralph Thorne resigned in the wake of the 30-0 defeat at the polls on February 11, the third in a row for the beleaguered party.

After his victory, Estwick told the media he would be immediately inviting Lashley and other stalwarts like former Cabinet colleague Donville Inniss to help rebuild the party.

“Stephen and I have been good friends for many years. And I said to him just now, ‘my brother I need you. I need your expertise and I need your experience’,” Estwick told reporters about the brief conversation with his opponent.

“I will be asking the other members who are tried and proven, to be able to manage the affairs of a country, to join me,” the geriatrician added.

Estwick noted that all actions going forward would be done within the framework of the DLP’s constitution, as they seek to get back in the favour of the electorate.

He will deliver his first President’s address tomorrow on the final day of the annual general conference in the party’s 71st year. (BA)

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