The Democratic Labour Party has begun a period of internal renewal and restructuring after the resignation of Ralph Thorne as president and political leader, a top party official confirmed on Tuesday, as the party faces a third straight term without seats in Parliament.
Speaking with Barbados TODAY after news of the resignation emerged, the senior member of the party executive—speaking on condition of anonymity—sought to reassure members that the party remained resilient. Despite the sudden vacancy at the top, the official stressed that the party was focused on ‘listening to the people of Barbados’ to ensure their needs were met while in political opposition.
Thorne’s resignation, after crossing the floor in 2024 to lead the opposition before the February 11 election defeat, has raised immediate questions about the succession plan. The executive member insisted that the party’s internal bodies were capable of handling the transition without rushing into a leadership race.
‘The process is one that we go through in the party,’ the official explained. ‘Names will be thrown up, but the key thing right now is that we’re not even looking at that as a priority. The priority is looking at the objectives of the party and what it would take to put Barbados in a better place as we go forward. That is our key, key focus right now.’
While a permanent leader has yet to be chosen, the official said the DLP’s constitution provides a strong hierarchy. ‘Right now, the leadership is in place. We have a first, second, third, and fourth vice-president as part of the structure of the party. There is adequate and broad enough consultation to take us forward. We are structured for this because people come and people go, but the party is structured to advance and take care of its business.’
With the party out of the House of Assembly, the executive suggested that the public should look to Senator Ryan Walters for official commentary and legislative guidance. Walters, who has recently been reappointed to the Senate, is seen as the ‘ideal person’ to link the executive and the electorate.
‘I would speak to Senator Walters as the senior man in the party and the man in the Senate,’ the official said. ‘He is really an ideal person to speak to as the head of business for the party at the moment. Even though the DLP is established as a separate entity from the individual, I think he has a lot to share with the public.’
The executive also took a moment to acknowledge the outgoing leader’s contribution during a difficult period. ‘We thank Ralph for all he did. He added a tremendous amount of value to the party during his tenure.’
In a strategic move to maintain relevance and offer a ‘government-in-waiting’ outlook, the DLP executive confirmed that a formal shadow cabinet would be reinstated. The body will shadow government ministries, respond to national issues and offer alternative positions in public debates.
Under Thorne’s tenure, the rota of shadow ministers were replaced with spokespersons.
‘Absolutely. That is a definite,’ the official said. ‘We will continue with our model to respond to the issues as they arise and to add our voice to the debates. That is an absolute yes.’
Although the party remains in transition, attention now turns to the annual convention, traditionally held in August. It is expected to be the setting where the ‘changing of the guard’ becomes official.
‘August is the usual time for convention,’ the official confirmed. ‘Right now, we are looking at renewal, refreshing, and future leadership for Barbados. Those are the kinds of things we are focused on.’
The party’s executive is expected to meet behind closed doors to refine its final ‘positional statement’. While the source declined to pre-empt the outcome, the tone was one of defiant optimism.
‘We are not daunting or destructive; we are very focused on the way forward,’ the official told *Barbados Today*. ‘We are optimistic about the future of the Democratic Labour Party. You will definitely get a positional statement from the party soon that outlines exactly what our decisions are.’
(RR)
The post DLP on ‘renewal drive, after Thorne exit appeared first on Barbados Today.
