The Labour Party leader highlighted that the party went into opposition because there was great disunity in the party.
“Comrades as we look at the party through the years, you would recall that our party went into opposition in 1980. Fifty years after it was created and after holding power for well over 30, 40 years, it went into opposition. It went into opposition because there was great disunity in our party," PM Douglas said.
He told supporters further, “We keep saying that history does not repeat itself, it’s people who repeat history. Remember that. History never repeats itself. It’s we who fail to remember our history and repeat it.”
According to the PM, the party must first find its own strategies by firstly managing disunity wherever it appears.
“And tonight I say to you comrades, the party must find its own strategies. Firstly, in managing what appears to be any disunity wherever it rears its head, it must be cut off. 
PM Douglas told supporters, “It’s not going to happen. The party belongs to you. You must never allow it to happen. This is your party. That is why I say again wherever any disunity raises its ugly head you must chop it off because it will bring defeat of your party and you will be out of government. So comrades let us remember these things.  The party has worked hard for where it has come today. The people have brought the party to where it is.”
He informed that the meeting was the first in a series of meetings that have been organised to bring constituencies together in town hall meetings, in general meetings of the Labour Party where the meetings  are open to the wider public and the wider community.
The Labour Party leader explained that the meetings would allow community members to interact in those meetings, to participate in those meetings in an active way by not only listening and giving of their ideas but also by asking questions.
Dr. Douglas spoke about the objective of such meeting for the 80th anniversary celebration of the party.
“...We’re doing this tonight in particular because we believe on the 80th anniversary of the party, we want to make sure that the party is grounded. The party must remain the party of the masses. Even though over the years we have seen the party  transform itself –from not only being a party that recognises and represents the masses of the people; it must nevertheless at all times in its history now and in the future  have the representation and the support and the following of the masses of this country.  The masses of the people is the largest single group of this country that needs representation, support and leadership and following with the Labour Party,” he expressed.
The Labour Party leader also used to forum to dismiss that the party has moved away from it roots which he said nonsense.
“And that is why you would hear some people say the Labour Party has moved away from its roots. Nonsense.  The  Labour  Party over the years recognised that it has moved people from being in abject poverty to people who are now in middle class,” Dr. Douglas stated.
He listed some professions including nursing, teaching, law, professional groups and said, “They are already in the middle class.” According to the PM they have come from the “masses, the very poor in this country.”