Ralph Thorne Confirmed as DLP Political Leader
The opposition leader, Ralph Thorne, has been readmitted to the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and will serve as its political leader. President Dr Ronnie Yearwood will continue as President and party leader, and the Opposition senators, Tricia Watson and Ryan Walters will form the party’s parliamentary caucus alongside the recently announced shadow cabinet.
An announcement was made on Monday from the Errol Barrow Auditorium of the DLP headquarters at George Street, St Michael, where Yearwood, Thorne and general secretary Steve Blackett presented a united front.
On 17th February, news broke that Thorne had left the ruling Barbados Labour Party and crossed the floor. At his official swearing-in at State House two days later, he indicated he preferred to join a mass party rather than start his own, as former Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley did.
Ralph Thorne K.C., well known as a legal luminary in Barbados and the Caribbean, believes that with help, he can change the trajectory of Barbados in his new role. One of the interesting points made by Ralph Thorne crossing the floor is the opportunity it presents to strengthen the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), especially post-2018.
Dr Yearwood was voted as president/party leader of the DLP in August 2023 by the membership of the DLP; with his wealth of experience both as a legal mind and in academia, he will continue the pivotal role of rebuilding the DLP.
This is also a momentous time for the party’s membership, both the young and the experienced, to come together with an even stronger bond and force to represent and bring social justice for Barbadians.
Below is a joint statement issued by Dr Ronnie Yearwood and Ralph Thorne KC.
Democratic Labour Party (DLP) thanks Barbadians from across the island and the diaspora for their outpouring of support and their attention over the last week. As a party, we needed to ensure our internal processing of welcoming our new Political Leader, Ralph Thorne, was done correctly and with the greatest care. We wish to thank Barbadians for their kindness and patience at this time. We have seen that this country desires better and truly deserves better.
We are pleased to announce that Mr Ralph Thorne, Member of Parliament for Christ Church South, the Opposition Leader, was successfully voted to be a member of the Democratic Labour Party and is now our Political Leader.
This is a great moment for the party and Barbados as we now bring together the strengths, expertise and capacities of Dr Ronnie Yearwood and Mr Ralph Thorne, K.C.
