PAYNE-BANFIELD IS NEW GULP POLITICAL LEADER

Former Cabinet Secretary Gloria Payne-Banfield is the new political leader of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP). The announcement of her appointment was greeted with shouts of   "yes! yes! yes!" from supporters who gathered at the Seamoon Cultural Center last Sunday for the party's Convention.

Payne-Banfield was absent when her name was announced during a motion moved by Deputy Reynold Benjamin and seconded by the other Deputy Michael Baptiste. It was a carnival like atmosphere when Payne-Banfield touched down at the Convention arena in the company of her husband who was carrying a flag of the party. "Move dey let me see what she look like" said an elderly man.  "look at the next prime minister" shouted a woman as supporters converged on the vehicle which she was driving.

Senior party officials lined the route in front of the pavilion as they awaited her descent from the van. She was then escorted to the podium by supporters who gave her a standing ovation before her maiden address as the political leader.

Payne-Banfield has been acting as the Chairperson of a court appointed committee following an agreement reached between the two warring labour factions over the political leadership of the party. Speaking to a crowd of one thousand, the former Cabinet Secretary indicated that the road towards the convention has been long and the struggle tough. She noted that for nearly 20 years the GULP has been in the political wilderness and that the time has come for a new beginning.

Payne-Banfield pledged to remain loyal to the principles of the party and to defend it and its officers in any circumstances. The newly elected GULP leader promised to continue spreading the good news of the party saying that she is not a coward. She urged supporters to take the GULP seriously since she has accepted the mantle of leadership fully being aware of the task ahead.

According to Payne-Banfield she will remain committed to the task since the Convention marks the turning point for the GULP. She told supporters that it is not business as usual because the party has to be structured and organised to meet the challenges of a globalised society. The former senior servant is also appealing to labour supporters who may have broken ranks with the party over the years.

"Come home to the GULP, we believe in the forgiveness of sins, we have a country to build and social issues to address, come home" she stressed. Meanwhile a sixteen member executive has been appointed to assist the newly elected leader with the re-organisation of the GULP over the next year.

They are Michael Baptiste, Deputy Political Leader, Reynold Benjamin, Deputy Political leader, Wilfred Hayes President, Winston Fleary Vice President, Bert. La. Touche, Vice President, Osmore Gall General Secretary, Jerome Romain Asst. General Secretary, Indra Hall Recording Secretary.

The list is completed by Ronald Mc. Sween Treasurer, Guy Alexander Asst. Treasurer, Louisa Bobb, Financial Secretary, Bartholomew Herry Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joan Williams, Asst. PRO, Oliver Nedd, Asst.. PRO, Victor Sylvester and Dennis Canning Trustees.