Politics
Democratic Labour Party Returns to Legislature; Opposition Leader Thorne Reinstated as Political Leader
"The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) rejoins elected legislature after six years, with Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne leading. Commitment to strengthening parliamentary business, including focus on public accounts committee oversight."
6 min read
Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was set to return to the elected legislature on Monday after spending six years in the parliamentary wilderness, banished by the voters from the House and Senate in two unprecedented general election shutouts.
Following a week of political drama, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne was formally admitted back into the DLP — ending his own 20-year break from the party — and was declared its political leader and spokesman in Parliament.
Thorne told a press conference at the DLP’s George Street headquarters that the parliamentary business of the party will now be “considerably” strengthened even as he attends the House of Assembly on Tuesday and in anticipation of participating in the estimates debate next week.
“I want to tell you in terms of parliamentary service, I want the public to know this, that we intend to have a meeting [as] a matter of priority of the public accounts committee (PAC). People have been asking for that; and I can say to you, if there is any delinquency in terms of attendance at that committee, you shall know, the public shall know. This party intends to take the business of the public accounts committee very seriously,” the opposition leader vowed.
The Leader of the Opposition, who is the automatic chairman of the PAC, is adamant that this entity requires the government to account for taxpayers’ money.
Thorne also said he accepted the need for him to follow the rules of the party, an apparent reference to his turning up at party headquarters to apply for membership in the absence of the DLP president and general secretary.
“I have no personal difficulty being humble,” said Thorne. “I have no personal difficulty accepting the rules of this party. I say that because I recognize that the circumstances of my application, have been unusual. It is not usual that you come into a party, and you come in at this level…and it was kind of chilling just now to hear [Blackett] say political leader.
“I have joined as an ordinary member, but the circumstances have cast me into this office; yet, I must display humility, yet I must defer to rules, yet I must defer to the authority of the executive that I have found here. So, I want to say thanks to the party. The process was a little nervous for me at times, but I understand the circumstances.”
But president Dr Ronnie Yearwood who also addressed the press conference said that the process leading to Thorne’s readmittance almost got obstructed from its intended course.
“Regrettably, a lot of unnecessary noise and activity almost derailed what should have been a relatively simple process. Thankfully, to use the old adage, all’s well, that ends well,” Dr Yearwood declared as he was flanked by Thorne, general secretary Steve Blackett and executive council membersl.
