#BTEditorial – A thorn in both sides of the political aisle

When Christ Church South Member of Parliament Ralph Thorne made what seemed an abrupt departure from the ruling administration to become Leader of the Opposition, most pundits believed this was a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) problem.

However, as the hours and days have passed, Mr Thorne’s departure from the ruling party looks like a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) problem as much as it is a BLP one.

On his way out the door, the longstanding and respected Senior Counsel informed Barbadians that he was long troubled by certain activities in the BLP camp and there was a need for an “extrication from oppressive circumstances”.

From the comments of the Christ Church South MP, it appears that relations between him and the top brass of the ruling administration had broken down and thus he was no longer prepared to be part of team BLP.

To have taken such a dramatic step as to break ranks with the party which has such dominant control of the House of Assembly, signalled deep-seated problems.

“Diplomacy often leads to hypocrisy. Your conscience must mean something and, therefore, I came to the point where I had to take the decision that if my philosophical and political views do not accord with those of government in terms of its legislation, in terms of its policy, the relationship becomes untenable,” he told citizens.

Important also were Mr Thorne’s comments on what many suggest is an undercurrent of discontent among Barbadians.

“I want to say to the government that the reason people are objecting so violently to legislation brought is because government has lost their trust . . . . I am convinced that democracy in this country is under threat. There has been an erosion of our democratic traditions; people are afraid to speak.”

But in all this, the spotlight has also been cast on the DLP, the other longstanding political party, which after two massive election losses is still struggling to find its footing.

Though the party’s leadership was ostensibly settled with the election of Dr Yearwood as party president, the public fractures between him and some former general election candidates suggest all is not well.

Mr Walters, who contested the DLP presidency against Mr Yearwood, was conspicuously absent from the recently named DLP Shadow Cabinet.

Mr Thorne’s selection of Mr Walters as an opposition senator has fuelled more speculation that the DLP president’s role is now likely to be overshadowed and relegated.

For his part, Mr Thorne has been strategic in all his political moves. He has indicated he wants to operate from within the ranks of a political party; he has appointed two DLP representatives in the Upper House, Walters and attorney Tricia Watson.

However, there are facts that cannot be ignored and the public will be following very closely to see how the DLP president responds.

Mr Thorne has what no one else in the DLP has – a seat in the House of Assembly, an asset which he will no doubt leverage.

As a result, what should have been a thorn in Prime Minister Mottley’s side may actually be a bigger one in Mr Yearwood’s.

Some have given the DLP a failing grade for its response so far. While the new opposition leader was being warmly received in Parliament Yard and two DLP senators had barely received their papers from President Dame Sandra Mason, the DLP was issuing what some regard as an unfortunate statement.

“Mr Thorne currently is not a member of the Democratic Labour Party, so the views expressed in both the Senate and the House by he and his team are solely their own thoughts and opinions,” said DLP general secretary Steve Blackett. He assured that Mr Yearwood’s Shadow Cabinet will do just fine handling the important issues for the party.

This certainly sets the scene for drama on both sides of the political divide.