Democratic Labour Party's Ralph Thorne Unfazed by Internal Conflict, Focuses on Barbados Labour Party Government

Political leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Ralph Thorne is not fazed by attempts to have him removed from the party.

In fact, he made it clear that he is not interested in the festering internal conflict of the party.

At a heated Members Forum: Quarterly Review meeting held at the party’s George Street headquarters on Sunday, DLP General Secretary Steve Blackett confirmed to media personnel that he filed two resolutions during the forum, one of which was a no-confidence motion against Thorne.

However, in a surprising response, Thorne stressed to the media that he was not interested in responding to the matter, stating: “That is not worthy of a response. Go in there and ask the people how they feel about it. I am not responding to that.”

He insisted that the meeting was an “informal” one, and as far as he is concerned, the party’s fight was not with itself, but with the Barbados Labour Party government.

“This Democratic Labour Party is fighting against the Barbados Labour Party government, and that was my message. That there is no time and energy for internal fighting. The mission and the purpose is to band together to fight against a Barbados Labour Party government that is causing suffering in this country. That is the purpose, that is the mission.”

He added: “The enemy is a Barbados Labour Party government, that took away a billion dollars from the National Insurance Fund, and spent $USD27 million to do it. Now they are disadvantaging Barbadians by making access to NIS more difficult for Barbadians. They have increased the age for retirement, they are doing everything against the interest and the suffering in Barbados, and while the majority of the people are suffering – the middle class and the working class – they are a few getting rich and remaining comfortable.

“I am not interested in any internal fight, I will ignore it.”

Blackett’s resolution said since Thorne’s admission in the party on February 20, the DLP has experienced” untold rancour, turmoil, contention and confusion.”

Meanwhile, when pressed to comment on the latest developments, DLP President Dr Ronnie Yearwood who was at meeting, said he had no comment at this time.