Managing Internal Disputes Crucial for Democratic Labour Party's Electoral Viability, Say Political Experts

If the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is to be a viable alternative to the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in the next election, it must quickly settle its internal disputes.

This is the view of political scientist Devaron Bruce, who was responding to the latest impasse in the party. Following the filing of a no-confidence motion against DLP president Dr Ronnie Yearwood last Wednesday, which has since been ruled invalid by the DLP Executive Council, Bruce told the Nation team the development confirmed speculation that divisions within the party were widening.

“As it relates to the viability of the DLP, we know that Barbadians will not elect a party that is divided. We have seen this before in 2013 with the BLP. Barbadians do not want to elect a divided party because the assumption is that they would be divided in Government and therefore would not operate to the benefit

of the country.

“If the DLP is serious about governing going forward, it must settle these divisions because the reality is that they have one [MP] in Parliament, who was not even elected on a DLP ticket,” Bruce said.

Also weighing in was fellow political scientist Dr Kristina Hinds, who described the development as concerning. She suggested that the issues might just be teething problems as the party fully embraces Ralph Thorne as political leader.

“One would have hoped that the party would have ironed out these issues internally without it getting to this, but since it has come here, I guess we must wait and see how members of the party will address this matter. It is concerning for those who were hoping that Ralph Thorne’s crossing of the floor and joining the party would provide greater legitimacy and stability for the DLP, but this may be just part of the

earlier teething pains,” she said.

On the other hand, veteran political scientist Peter Wickham said: “The main problem is the look of persistent disunity . . . My greater concern is the signal this sends. It is clear that Yearwood is not yet ready to acknowledge the superior role of Ralph Thorne and, to this end, he is playing a dangerous game that he cannot win and is harming the DLP in the process of defending his turf.”

Longstanding member of the party, Hartley Reid, delivered the motion to party headquarters in George Street, outlining the rationale behind the move designed to trigger fresh party elections, which are due in 2025.

It was reported that 84 people signed the motion, which also called for the removal of party general secretary Steve Blackett as well as the entire Executive Council of the party.

At a meeting held last Thursday, Blackett said the council ruled that there were several procedural flaws with the motion. Among them was the charge that some of the 84 people signing the motion were not members of the DLP. It was also claimed that some of the names affixed were without the consent of the people.

Blackett said further investigations into the matter would be conducted by other organs of the party.