Everything that God created was designed to function by law. Our lovely country of Barbados enacted the Constitution and other statutes to protect the life and freedoms of its people. Wherever there is law, there is the power to break that law as well as the power to test that law.
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is a political institution which functions by laws. Decisions are based on its constitution. According to its political leader Ralph Thorne, the infighting within the DLP is a national crisis. He claims that Barbados needs a representative against the wrongdoing of the government and the people of Barbados are hurting because this gaping crisis of division has erupted.
The members of the party are free to do whatever they want, but freedom without adherence to the rule of law is pure anarchy. Freedom means liberty but not dominion over people. Furthermore, it is impossible to have freedom without boundaries. Whenever members break their own law, a new law is created called the death of their political party. It takes will to break the law so that if the DLP wants to live, its members and its councils must not break its own laws. They must not destroy the foundation on which the party is built. Surely, the party can overcome the difficulties of the rain, the flood, and the storm. Yes, they can conquer this manmade crisis, with flying colours.
The crisis of division within the party cannot be solved by creating a new law but must be solved by returning to the original law and being placed under its authority. Law is protected by obedience to the law, by submission to the law, by agreement, discipline and understanding. Law is also protected by fear and humility. When there is no fear of authority, the law will be broken. Humility means that you must be submissive to the law, and you must be willing to keep the order that the law creates.
There are many lawyers in the DLP but apparently, there is no consensus on the interpretation of their constitution. And herein lies the crisis. My suspicion is that some members know and understand the constitution of the party but choose to disobey it; they choose to be rebellious. They are yet to recognise that when the law is broken, a rebellious spirit is being transferred to many generations. Adam’s rebellion against God resulted in sin being transferred to the entire human race.
So, is there a solution? I submit that there is. First, there must be love and forgiveness among all members, as one family: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (Philippians 3:8-9) The way forward could be determined by an independent committee, from outside the walls of George Street. The committee could be headed by a prominent Barbadian without declared political interest. The committee could be headed by someone of the calibre of the Most Honourable Dodridge D. Miller, chancellor–designate of the University of the West Indies, possibly a retired judge, and one or three others.
The party must accept the recommendations of the committee.
Algernon Atherley
