Democratic Labour Party Leadership Dispute: Status of President and General Secretary Questioned Amid Internal Squabbling

Are they in or are they out?

That question still remains as to the status of Democratic Labour Party (DLP) president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and general secretary Steve Blackett while the squabbling within the hierarchy of the 69-year-old party continues.

On Wednesday there was a lengthy statement from Pedro Shepherd, insisting that he was still acting general secretary, an apparent reaction to Blackett’s previous assertion that he was on the job at the party’s George Street, Belleville, St Michael headquarters.

Then there was a response from communications officer of the DLP, Stacia Browne, declaring the two remained in their “duly elected” positions.

There was also a statement issued by the Young Democrats in support of Blackett and Yearwood.

The two men have been at the centre of contention since April 21 when at a “members’ forum” Blackett told journalists he was moving a motion of no confidence against Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne – who joined the party in February and automatically became its political leader – and harshly criticised his presence in the party.

On May 9 it was announced that Blackett was suspended by the General Council and then on May 17 similar action followed in relation to Yearwood. However, subsequent meetings of the Executive Council led to it declaring that both men were reinstated. Since then there has been a series of one-upmanship in which both administrative arms are claiming their decisions were correct.

Both Blackett and Yearwood yesterday declined to comment on the matter, but Shepherd said based on the General Council’s interpretation of the constitution of the party, they were suspended until completion of investigations against them.

“There’s nothing else I can say to allay any fears that there is confusion or their perception,” he stated.

Shepherd said the two have been served with disciplinary charges and are scheduled to appear before the Disciplinary Committee on May 27 and 28.

The young Dems, the latest to enter the fray, said they were reposing their confidence in Yearwood and Blackett, and called for an end to the “disorderly conduct and arbitrary actions” which were not in keeping with the democratic principles of the institution.

“The Young Dems felt it necessary to publicly support its comrades and condemn the ill-discipline, lest its silence be perceived as condoning autocratic behaviour of a few misguided individuals, which culminated in the appalling actions which took place on the headquarters property last Thursday, May 16, 2024.