Of late the blogmaster has been reluctant to post new blogs about the continuing demise of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). The main reason is that a large number of Barbadians have lost interest in what unfolds in George Street. The blogmaster’s perspective is supported by waning hits generated on blogs dealing with DLP issues.
The news that elected President Dr. Ronnie Yearwood and General Secretary Steve Blackett were expelled by the General Council was not unexpected for some of us. The Irresistible Force Paradox which asks what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object is relevant to the implosion occurring with the leadership of the DLP? The inability of the DLP to efficiently leverage the crossing of the floor by Ralph Thorne in February this year, AND, embrace President of the DLP Dr. Ronnie Yearwood who was elected in May 2022 continue to have national implications for the sustainability of the country’s system of governance.
A big part of the problem for the DLP is having to treat the ‘hangover’ of the loss decade- branded with telling effect by the BLP- and subsequent violent reaction it provoked from the electorate. Barbadians have developed a strong distrust and loss of confidence in the DLP since because of the embarrassment suffered during that period. The inability of the DLP to demonstrate it has the capacity to do a 2018 post mortem, execute an action plan in reasonable timeframe to remain relevant to an apathetic and cynical electorate does not augur well for them.
Thorne crossing the floor served as a litmus test to expose the leadership vacuum and divide in the DLP sooner rather than later. Thorne didn’t help by appointing two Senate picks without consulting the DLP hierarchy knowing his plan was to apply for membership of the DLP. This single decision has fuelled the distrust between President Yearwood and General Secretary Steve Blackett. The opposite is also true, Yearwood and Blackett did not respond to the problem to give room for a mutually beneficial outcome.
Of interest is that one of Thorne’s Senate picks, Senator Tricia Watson has been deliberate to stay above the rift in public. There is a view circulating that she is opportunistically waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces.
In response to the ouster from the party, Blackett has wasted little time sending a clarion call to the general membership of the DLP, to come out in numbers at the upcoming annual general conference to oppose the decision. Yearwood is quoted as saying it is a dark time in DLP politics.
Despite all the feel good statements from DLP talking heads, the blogmaster has been around local politics long enough to anticipate the ongoing imbroglio is not a binary one to solve. There is no single person in the leadership space with the qualities to bind the DLP factions. In order for the party to move forward an agreement with Blackett and Yearwood has to be negotiated. Yearwood and Blackett have support within the party. In case you have to be reminded Yearwood was elected to serve two years in May 2022.
How will the general membership respond at the conference next week to 33 members of the General Council overturning a decisions of hundreds. of members of the general body?
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.