The beleaguered Democratic Labour Party (DLP), reeling from three consecutive 30–0 general election defeats, has announced sweeping reforms of its 71-year-old political organisation and policy platforms as part of a major rebuilding effort triggered by the resignation of its president, former MP Ralph Thorne.
DLP spokesman and third vice-president Stephen Lashley told Barbados TODAY that the party’s Executive Council met on Tuesday evening and will report to the General Council – its highest decision-making body – on Thursday. Thorne’s letter of resignation, which took immediate effect, will also be tabled at that meeting.
“The DLP intends to conduct a candid and frank review, not only of our performance in the general elections, but of our party, our constitution and our policies,” said Lashley, a former cabinet minister in the last DLP administration under Freundel Stuart.
“We wish to assure Barbadians that in this review exercise, the party will seek out, and listen to their views and ideas, as we start the vital process of rebuilding and refocusing.”
Lashley disclosed that the DLP has already begun “the critical review” process he deemed essential following the party’s failure to secure a single seat in the House of Assembly. He promised that the review would be people-driven and incorporate public feedback.
As part of its rebuilding phase, Lashley said the DLP’s councils will continue to provide full support to Senator Ryan Walters, its lone representative in the Senate. The vacancy of president and political leader, created by Thorne’s departure, will be addressed by the General Council.
“The executive meeting recorded the party’s appreciation for the contribution made by Thorne during the past two years,” Lashley said, noting that while Thorne has stepped down as president, his membership remains intact and he will continue to make a contribution to the party.
Political scientist Peter Wickham welcomed the party’s commitment to renewal but suggested a key constitutional change is overdue. “A political leader is based on having a seat in the Lower House of Parliament,” he told Barbados TODAY. “The DLP doesn’t have any right now. The key change I would like to see is a review of the DLP’s constitution to delink the presidency from political leadership.”
University of the West Indies political scientist Dr George Brathwaite described Lashley’s statement as “sound on the surface”, but said he would “wait and see” how the DLP responds in practice.
“I shall wait and see if the public’s views are seriously entertained and acted upon,” he said. “What I am not seeing in the statement is the urgent need to attract new membership and to offer an olive branch to those who left.”
Dr Brathwaite commended the DLP for expressing thanks to Thorne for his service, but suggested that the rebuild must go further. “Perhaps they could outline the criteria for new leadership/presidency, despite accepting their set priorities. Mass-based parties need committed members and, I daresay, youthful.”
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