DLP Faces Internal Strife as Women's League Considers Legal Action Against Party Leadership

Tensions within the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) notched up yet further on Tuesday, with members of the Democratic League of Women reportedly considering legal action against the party’s leadership, amid accusations of systemic mistreatment under the stewardship of Political Leader Ralph Thorne.

The situation intensified after the abrupt dismissal of former Senator Tricia Watson, an attorney, which has drawn sharp criticism from within the party. Watson, who was removed without prior notice, has received strong support from her colleagues, many of whom condemned the decision. Chairperson of the DLP’s youth arm, the Young Democrats, Tyra Trotman, described the action as “disrespectful, high-handed, and distasteful,” while calling into question Thorne’s leadership.

Trotman praised Watson for making substantial contributions in the Senate, suggesting her dismissal was emblematic of a broader issue of disrespect towards women in the DLP.

“You do not fire someone without first of all giving them notice and then second of all someone who has been working so hard in the Senate on your behalf. Out of the two senators, Tricia was the one who gave more substantial contributions,” Trotman told journalists in a press briefing at the Island Inn Hotel, hosted by the League.

Watson’s sacking was particularly criticised due to its timing, with supporters noting that she was grieving the loss of her father, former police commissioner Grantley Watson who died in early February. Trotman noted that despite her personal grief, Watson continued to fulfil her senatorial duties diligently, only to be abruptly dismissed.

Trotman went on to accuse the party’s leadership of violating several fundamental rights. “You have a right to humane treatment and dignity. That is also a constitutional right enshrined in the Constitution of Barbados. You have a right to earn a living, which you just heard [one longstanding member] say she was deprived of. We have a right to human dignity,” she declared, suggesting legal action may be imminent.

Further stressing the significance of the allegations, Trotman said: “You breached our international human rights. You breached our Barbados constitutional rights. You breached our Democratic Labour Party rights. And you are saying, Sir, that you are a man that believes in rights and democracy, and you’re bringing peace. I think not.” She declared that the fight for justice within the DLP was far from over.