est. 2007

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D for DLP, D for DUMB

The blogmaster in the absence of third political party alternatives wishes members of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) well in deliberations tomorrow at George Street. It is a political party that has become largely irrelevant in the eyes of a cynical and apathetic electorate. For anyone who doubts the DLP’s precipitous decline check the results of the last two general elections.

Ideally Barbadians looking for change would have preferred the emergence of viable third parties given the apparent demise of the DLP in the opinion of some pundits. It is scary to unpack the consequences for our democratic system if credible alternatives to the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) are not found in the near term.

It is interesting when members of the duopoly explain that it is an internal matter when brouhahas occur with the party. What a contradiction to have to listen and view daily senior members of the DLP ventilating about the ongoing leadership battle and related issues being in PUBLIC. Is it any wonder the level of apathy, cynicism and lack of engagement by the electorate?

The video headlining the post from February 2024 showed an uncomfortable alliance between the political leader and president of the DLP. Since Thorne rejoined the DLP, speaker line ups at constituency meetings and party pronouncements have exposed Thorne and Yearwood are uncomfortably aligned. A recent revelation that shenanigans occurred with an invitation sent to the DLP by St. Lucia’s opposition party has returned the DLP to the centre of political controversy. Even if the ongoing imbroglio is resolved tomorrow it will take years for the DLP to recoup public trust it has the capability to govern Barbados.

80 responses to “D for DLP, D for DUMB”

  1. Donks, Gripe,and Josh Avatar
    Donks, Gripe,and Josh

    To use the favorite word of the so-called political scientists it is, unfortunate, what is happening in the DLP. Much blame can be attributed to key members of the historic political party. In fairness Thorne is less to blame than Yearwood and particularly Blackett. Ninety per cent of the blame can be placed at Blackett’s feet. Blackett who led the infamous charge against Mottley the infamous night in Waterford in 2018 should be nowhere near leadership in the DLP.

    Of the old guard Blackett should be the first to be excommunicated. For him to be in a position of GS speaking and making decisions on behalf of the party is an outrage. Going forward Blackett can never win a seat. It begs the question if he is hoping for a big post if in the remote possibility the Dems run the country again in his lifetime.

    Yearwood is a massive disappointment. The comments he makes get no traction and is ignored by the citizenry. In addition, he lacks presence unfortunately that allows the unpopular Blackett to fill the void. Yearwood can’t win a seat in the short or medium term.

    Thorne has acquitted himself well. He obviously is a bright well-informed parliamentarian. His reply as opposition leader to Mottley’s mumbo jumbo will long be remembered with respect by those who heard him. His and the DLP’s future can be brighter if the DLP comes to its senses and rallies around him as leader. Thorne is the Dems best chance of being relevant again. Yearwood as a young academic should read the tea leaves. He must reach out to Thorne and detach himself from dead weight no future Blackett.

    Yearwood has to join with Thorne, they have to trust each other in order for both and the party faithful to turn their guns on the real enemy the BLP. The Bees had equally as much strife when they were in opposition. Arhtur, Mottley, Hats Payne, Eastmond, Agard etc. had mighty battles before the Bees become a ‘united’ force to oust ‘Froons’ troops 30- nil twice.

    Remember a week is a long time in politics.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    In the land of the blind a one man is king man

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Will the LOTTO take time from his demanding task of fixing DLP infighting to contribute to what is an important matter?

    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qVPVgJg1hMmCuTiE/

  4. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    The LOTO is busy appointing his Executive Assistant, the same man who commissioned a report on him that spoke of alleged thievery and recommended a referral to the then RBPF. Cough!!!

  5. David Avatar
    David

    And the BLP continues to support Duguid as a senior minister after the Chinese and Savvy fiasco. Same difference?

  6. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @David
    And the BLP continues to support Duguid as a senior minister after the Chinese and Savvy fiasco. Same difference?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    This is MUCH worse Boss.
    Appointing someone with a history of criticizing you is a sign of strength and of a willingness to be transparent.

    Continuing to support a joker who has demonstrated the capacity to waste taxpayers money while achieving NOTHING, and of being as opaque as ‘East is from West’ is the REAL travesty.

    Shiite boss…
    No one even understands how he became a ‘senior minister’ – AFTER having been left out of the initial cabinet appointments…

    Perhaps Enuff can explain this enigma….

  7. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    David

    Once again a failed attempt to counteract my comment. If your informers kept you updated on Savvy, you wouldn’t keep making yourself look foolish on BU. But it suit you.

    Bushie – you struggling as usual.

  8. feedback loops Avatar
    feedback loops

    Bs v Ds politics as a bit silly as are adversarial politics of UK / USA (legacy systems)
    But, politics of Barbados is more community based and could be more open and responsive to feedback loops

    Government could set up a BU type prototype blog where people can get involved in white paper discussions. comment on Government policies and make complaints etc through an online system

    A scenario where Government and Opposition and Public work together could be the way to go

    Feedback Loop Definition A feedback loop is a process in which the outputs of a system are circled back and used as inputs. In business, this refers to the process of using customer or employee feedback (the outputs of a service or product), to create a better product or workplace.

  9. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Bushie – you struggling as usual.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    LOL
    Quite right!
    Brassbowlery ain’t easy to cope with…
    (:

  10. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Yuh still funny as hell. RAT will uncover what ever is there to undercover when he convenes the PAC.

  11. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    important news.

    https://london.ctvnews.ca/lhsc-performs-a-canadian-first-in-robot-assisted-direct-lateral-spine-surgery-1.6861513

  12. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Who is ‘RAT’ Enuff?
    Do you mean A Ralph Thorne? (ART)

    LOL
    One party’s RAT is another’s ART.

    IBHO, The ART is ahead in the race.

  13. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Bushie

    Ask Blackett the DLP’s General Secretary. He seems to know very well based on his last press conference and his repeated use of RAT. Rest me!🤣

  14. David Avatar
    David

    @Enuff

    That is fine with the blogmaster; looking foolish. Everyone things that it is the case and that is fine. Happy to be guided by your intelligence and wisdom.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Enuff

    Look forward to monitor the attendance of government members on the PAC.

  16. Soon, art and poetry from BT Avatar
    Soon, art and poetry from BT

    “One party’s RAT is another’s ART.”
    🙂
    At this rate you would soon be so doing poetry.

    Who will bell the cat?
    Who will play the part?
    It’s too big a job for a rat
    Looks like we will have to call on ART

  17. David Avatar
    David

    The BLP one can speculate is not far away from DLP chaos should Mottley removed herself from politics whether voluntarily or not.

  18. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Ralph strategy of marginalizing Yearwood is beginning to take shape .Yearwood’s shadow cabinet launched barely two months ago with great fanfare is being replaced by unknown umbrella groups headed by Thorne and his two Senators. Thorne is in the “catbird seat” albeit courtesy of the BLP but it is one more seat than Yearwood has. Thorne can call his teams whatever he wants but to all intents and purposes it is still a “shadow cabinet” as it will be critiquing and commenting on government policy but Yearwood will be on the outside lookin in.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    Who better to directly shadow the respective ministries than those sitting in the Chambers?

  20. David Avatar
    David

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C6PYSptgyvp/

  21. possible or plausible vs definitive or irrefutable Avatar
    possible or plausible vs definitive or irrefutable

    Thorne’s 1 seat is not a magic bullet for DLP’s prospects nor does it give him any right to jack the Party.

    Disputable Arguable
    The No Confidence Motion against Yearwood is possible or plausible at best.

    Indisputable Unarguable
    The No Confidence Motion against Thorne is definitive or irrefutable
    with a conclusion that cannot be questioned that Thorne undeniably was out of line.

  22. Lorenzo Avatar
    Lorenzo

    Lorenzo
    Well well well,as the old people used to say looka ma crosses though.The Dems do not fail to disappoint me.They are fit for comedy fest.Imagime people on here and brasstacks projecting them as an alternative to the current government and they cannot even get their party run and want to run a country.Gimme a break.As far as i am concern,Mr Thorne has a seat and as such should csll the shots.Mr Yearwood does not have a seat and in my view is unlikely to win one and in my view should swallow his ego and resign and take Mr Blackett with him.I wonder what the in my view dems on here like Bushie,John A ,Observing,Northern,and Gazzerts think.I gone.

  23. David Avatar
    David

    In the meantime and in between time BLP bonding.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6P8R1utNTh/

  24. 🐎 One Horse Race Avatar
    🐎 One Horse Race

    Nowadays people will pick the tallest candidate for leadership
    in the photo Ronnie wins by at least 10″ as a tower of power
    but regardless it is a one horse race between Da Ds n’ Bs

  25. Don't believe the hype Avatar
    Don’t believe the hype

    Rise and Fall of Ralph Thorne
    At least people have stopped bugging and plugging Ralph
    It seems that 2 opposing no confidence motions canceled each other out
    and things are remaining as they are.. ain’t shit changing

  26. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    It has been peaceful in the Errol Barrow House for the past couple days
    Please let it stay that way also the good news is seeing the President and Ralph Thorne under the same tent at the dlp picnic agreeing on the same issues of unity
    Thorne pledging to heal the party also saying there is no rift between himself and the President
    So here we go folks a step forward in the right direction

  27. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Amm did anyone see the tents at the big mout blp party on Heroes Day
    Tents covered with names of ministers a roll call and a ringing of the campagain bell for the next election
    Vote buying if yuh ask or political prostitution bundle up in a poster call feed them well

  28. David Avatar
    David

    Maintaining unity within DLP

    I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. – 1 Corinthians 1:10 ON THE OCCASION of the 69th anniversary of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), I have the honour to extend, on behalf of the Restoration Ministries International Network of Churches, and on my own behalf, my warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, president Dr Ronnie Yearwood, general secretary Steve Blackett, the executive and all the members of this distinguished, outstanding political organisation.

    I am aware that the party is facing some relational challenges in this its 69th year, but be assured that with a commitment from each member to close ranks, unite, forgive and put God first, and to put the interest of the party above self, the light will become brighter at the end of the tunnel. A brighter season is ahead for the party.

    As you move towards your 70th year, I would suggest a few things you can think about, to help maintain unity, strength, teamwork and comradery as a political entity.

    First, clarify and strengthen the party’s vision, philosophy, ideology and principles. It is discovered that when members of a party share a strong commitment to the above, there is greater unity, cohesion and clarity of purpose, and areas of disagreement at every level of the party are readily resolved.

    Secondly, it will be important to create a culture of inclusivity and a sense of belonging (family). When members of a party feel a sense of belonging and that they are valued, they are less likely to find themselves divided and non-committed. Members must feel they can express their opinions freely, without fear of reprisal. Freedom of thought and expression is an inalienable right. Every party that has only followers should scare a sane person.

    Also, a party must create opportunities for advancement. This helps to create a higher level of commitment. When comrades have an opportunity to advance their careers, they are less likely to be disjointed and disconnected. Rather, they are eager to go beyond the call of duty on every occasion. Members must have opportunities to hold leadership positions, run for office, and be involved in the decision-making processes, just to name a few.

    Firm but loving confrontation is necessary in dealing with the spirit of disunity. The culture of disunity may be caused by a number of underlying problems within the party, such as disrespect, favouritism, rebellion, factionalism or a lack of transparency. Addressing these problems frontally but lovingly can help reduce the spirit of disunity that can spread like a cancer throughout the party if allowed to continue unchecked.

    In addition to the above, it is advisable that strong relationships be built between party leaders and all comrades, because when individuals feel that they have a strong connection with their leaders, they are more likely to remain committed and united with each other.

    Effective communication with all party members is a great asset. When comrades are kept informed about the party’s policies and activities, this helps to build trust and loyalty, and a wonderful spirit of unity is fostered within the party.

    Another initiative to maintain unity and comradery within the party is to reward comrades for their loyalty, sacrifice and commitment to the party. Comrades can be rewarded by giving them an opportunity for advancement or simply recognising their contribution in a tangible way. By following these simple steps (and there are others), the DLP, in its 69th year, can bridge the chasm, heal the divide and help to maintain unity among all sincere, committed comrades. To me, this is essential for the long-term success of this great political party.

    Hearty congratulations again to the Democratic Labour Party on reaching your 69th year as a political organisation in this nation. May God’s guidance and wisdom carry you forth.

    – REVEREND DR DAVID DURANT

    Source: Nation

  29. David Avatar
    David

    https://youtu.be/Akd7j9rQE7g

  30. coxangela Avatar
    coxangela

    This is what the country needs individuals with big testicle who can be up front in exposing govt dastardly policies on its people
    Mia recognizes the importance of this group (although seemingly not wanting this group to be out front and forthright )
    Listening to Mia making fun of the group in Parliament speaks volumes as what she preceives in her mind as a group which can give the govt trouble at the polls next election

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