Dems get four resignation letters, more expected

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was on Friday reeling from a wave of resignations by female members, including recently sacked senator Tricia Watson and former parliamentary hopeful Irene Sandiford-Garner.

The turmoil within the DLP comes as the party faces increasing scrutiny over its internal dynamics and treatment of female members, further complicating its efforts to regain political traction in the face of ongoing leadership challenges.

Acting General Secretary Pedro Shepherd confirmed that he has so far received four resignation letters, with more expected in the coming weeks. Among those leaving the party are Watson’s partner and mother, as well as Stacia Browne.

“I have Tricia’s [letter],” Shepherd said. “I heard rumours, but I haven’t seen Irene’s. I have four. Three of them are connected to Tricia – her husband and mother, and Stacia Browne.”

These resignations follow the controversial removal of Watson from the Senate, announced by DLP Political Leader Ralph Thorne during the party’s annual conference last weekend. Watson’s ousting has been met with widespread criticism, with political commentators denouncing her dismissal without prior notification as “disrespectful”. Her replacement by a second male senator has also been criticised for exacerbating gender imbalance in the opposition’s representation in Parliament.

The Democratic League of Women has expressed concerns about the treatment of female members within the party and has even threatened legal action against the DLP leadership, accusing Thorne of systemic mistreatment of women.

In a voice note shared with Barbados TODAY, Watson explained the events that led to her resignation. She recounted how she was initially on a list to be barred from attending the conference but was eventually allowed inside. After speaking at the business meeting, she left for lunch with her elderly mother and aunt, intending to return for Thorne’s address. However, she received a warning phone call advising her not to return.

Irene Sandiford-Garner.

“After leaving George Street, I received a call from someone who warned me: ‘Tricia, do not come back in here this evening.’ They didn’t explain why, they just begged me not to return. I felt very uncomfortable, and I heeded that warning. That is the reason that I was at home when Mr Thorne made the announcement that I was being removed from the Senate,” she explained.

Watson said she was informed of her removal through the media and criticised Thorne’s claim at a press conference that she had been present when the announcement was made. Reflecting on the party’s actions, she expressed her dismay at the lack of civility and respect within the DLP, which ultimately led to her decision to leave.

“I thought about it long and hard. I cannot remain in a party that behaves in that way. Their values do not align with mine,” Watson stated. She also criticised Thorne for prioritising a younger man over a woman in her 50s, further contributing to the Senate’s gender imbalance.

Watson’s resignation was closely followed by Sandiford-Garner, a senior DLP member and former senator, who submitted her resignation in a letter on Thursday. A key figure in the party for two decades, Sandiford-Garner cited the mistreatment of party members and the characterisation of Watson as “old” as her reasons for leaving.

Stacia Browne

“The persons mistreated were our brothers and sisters for decades. Those who instructed and enforced locking them out of a property they had all rights to enter will be remembered in the annals of shame,” Sandiford-Garner said in her letter.

She added: “The recent public revelation of a woman’s age, and essentially characterising her as old, was the final straw. I pray that God will bless the party with enlightened leaders once again. Until then, I sever my ties with the DLP.”

Browne, the chair of the party’s Women’s Group, also resigned, citing “the indecent behaviour meted out to members since April 2024” and expressing dismay at the party’s trajectory over the past six months.

Shepherd seemed prepared for the wave of resignations, especially from those excluded from the conference. “I anticipated a number of persons just moving away from the party. We have been preparing ourselves to expect them over the next week or two. They have not surprised us,” he said.

He acknowledged that further resignations could follow but admitted he was unsure of the full impact this would have on the DLP. 

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb