No solution in sight to ongoing DLP rift

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has been thrown into further turmoil as suspended president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and general secretary Steve Blackett failed to attend a crucial disciplinary committee meeting, exacerbating the ongoing leadership crisis within the opposition party.

The disciplinary hearing, called to address alleged breaches of the party’s constitution, was left in limbo by the absence of both officials. But sources indicate that Blackett’s hearing proceeded without him, with the evidence presented by the complainant.

The crisis began in May when the DLP’s General Council suspended both Yearwood and Blackett from their duties pending an investigation. Despite multiple communications, neither has formally responded to the allegations, heightening internal tensions.

Reverend David Durant, chairman of the party’s disciplinary committee, had written to both men on July 26, urging their attendance. Their failure to appear has prevented the resolution of serious accusations against the two leaders.

The charges, outlined in letters obtained by Barbados TODAY, were filed by former Speaker of the House of Assembly Michael Carrington, an attorney-at-law. Yearwood faces accusations of failing to intervene during a meeting on April 21, where Blackett allegedly used derogatory language towards Leader of the Opposition and DLP Political Leader Ralph Thorne.

Blackett’s alleged infractions include misleading the General Council about Thorne’s participation in the Candidate Selection Committee and disclosing internal party matters to the media without authorisation.

A DLP stalwart, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration: “Yearwood and Blackett continue to disregard the party’s constitution and governance structures by refusing to show up for the disciplinary hearing. They are speaking of reconciliation and mediation but only on their terms. They believe they can continue to influence branches and a small group of party members to frustrate our efforts to heal the party.”

The disciplinary committee is now “exploring all options”, according to a council member familiar with the party’s constitution. Expulsion remains a possibility, but timing could be crucial. If expelled before the party’s annual conference in two weeks, Yearwood and Blackett could appeal at the conference. A post-conference expulsion would delay their appeal until the following year’s conference.

The leadership crisis threatens to overshadow the DLP’s preparations for the upcoming annual conference and could have significant implications for the party’s future. Efforts to reach party officials for comment were unsuccessful.

The allegations against both Yearwood and Blackett paint a picture of deep-seated discord within the party’s upper echelons.

Blackett’s alleged infractions extend beyond the April meeting. He is accused of breaching party rules by giving short notice for a meeting on 17 April, contravening the established practice of providing at least seven days’ notice. Furthermore, he allegedly withheld crucial correspondence from the General Council, including an invitation for Thorne to attend an anniversary celebration of the United Workers Party of Saint Lucia.

The upcoming annual conference, scheduled for August 23-25, looms large over these proceedings. If expulsions were to occur before the conference, it could set the stage for a dramatic showdown, with Yearwood and Blackett potentially rallying supporters to overturn the ruling.

As the DLP grapples with this leadership crisis, questions arise about whether the opposition party’s ability to effectively challenge the ruling Barbados Labour Party may be compromised if it cannot resolve its internal conflicts.

(emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)

Charge Sheet:

The case against Yearwood and Blackett

Letters obtained by Barbados TODAY outline a series of serious allegations against DLP President Dr Ronnie Yearwood and General Secretary Steve Blackett, both of whom remained suspended. The complaints against Yearwood, filed by former Speaker of the House of Assembly in the Freundel Stuart administration and attorney-at-law Michael Carrington, include the following accusations:

Charges against Yearwood

On April 21, 2024, as president of the Democratic Labour Party and chairman of a meeting convened and conducted the said meeting in a manner and under circumstances that were injurious to the interest, principles and general well-being of the party, the full particulars of which are:

Failing to intervene as the General Secretary Mr Steven D Blackett accused the Leader of the Opposition and the Political Leader of the DLP  Mr Ralph Thorne of being untruthful in matters relating to correspondence relating to the ‘Candidates Selection Committee’ passing between the Office of General Secretary and Mr Thorne in spite of there being correspondence to the contrary and which was addressed and settled as a matter arising at a General Council Meeting.

Failing to intervene as the General Secretary Mr Steven D Blackett used language derogatory and insulting to the character of the said Mr Thorne namely ‘he is a liar, he is a stranger to the truth’ knowing that such language and/or intending and/or being reckless to the likelihood that such language would excite and incite persons attending to be disruptive of the said meeting and they were consequently so disruptive.

Failing to intervene as the General Secretary Mr Steven D Blackett as a speaker used language of an inflammatory nature knowing and/or intending and/or being reckless to the likelihood that persons attending the said meeting would be incited to be disruptive to the said meeting and were consequently so disruptive.

Failing to intervene as the General Secretary Mr Steven D Blackett as a speaker introduced a matter not on the agenda of the meeting and for which the said meeting was not constituted, namely a vote of no confidence in Mr Ralph Thorne knowing and/or intending or being reckless to the likelihood that persons attending the said meeting would be incited to be disruptive of the said meeting and were consequently so disruptive.

Failing as the president of the DLP and chairman of the meeting held on the 21st of April, 2024 to issue a statement disassociating yourself or the DLP from statements made in an interview given to the media by the said Steven D Blackett as general secretary of the DLP knowing and/or intending that such comments should be published unchallenged and that such published comments would be injurious to the interest, reputation and general well-being of the party, namely, ‘since Mr Thorne’s admission to the party, the institution has experienced untold rancour, turmoil, contention and confusion’.

Failing, refusing or neglecting as the chairman of a meeting held on the 21st of April, 2024 to act in a timely manner or at all to take charge of the said meeting at the first instance of disruption and therefore being complicit in conduct that injured the interest, reputation, well-being of the party.

Allegations against Blackett

As general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party at a meeting of the General Council convened on the 5th day of April 2024 in breach of the rules and/or directives of the General Council, the particulars of which are as follows:

Misleading the General Council that Mr Ralph Thorne as the political Leader of the Democratic Labour Party deliberately refused to attend a meeting convened by the Candidate Selection Committee of the party by failing, refusing or neglecting to disclose correspondence to the general secretary that tended to disclose otherwise.

Failing, refusing, neglecting to bring to the attention and reading correspondence received from Mr Ralph Thorne, political leader of the DLP to the general secretary regarding his participation in the Candidate Selection Committee knowing and/or intending that such failure, refusal, negligence would be detrimental to the image and standing of Mr Thorne thereby bringing his office into disrepute and being injurious to the principles and general well-being of the party.

Failing, refusing, neglecting to read correspondence received by the party from the United Workers Party of Saint Lucia inviting the Political Leader and President of the DLP Mr Ralph Thorne to attend their anniversary celebration though being in possession of the same at the material time.

That on the 17th day of April, 2024 as general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party without reasonable cause and in breach of the Rules 23(1) and 27, and the long-established practice and convention of the party that notice of meetings should be given no less than (7) days prior to such meetings.

That on the 21st day of April, 2024 as the general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party and a speaker at meeting, spoke and conducted yourself at the said meeting in a manner and under circumstances that were injurious to the interest, principles and general well-being of the party, the full particulars of which are:

Accused the Leader of the Opposition and the Political Leader of the DLP Mr Ralph Thorne of being untruthful in matters relating to correspondence passing between the Office of General Secretary and Mr Thorne,

Used language derogatory and insulting to the character of the said Mr Thorne by making the statement ‘he is a liar, he is a stranger to the truth’.