Democratic Labour Party (DLP) political leader Ralph Thorne has launched a blistering attack on the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), accusing it of trampling democratic principles in the selection of the candidate for the St James North by-election.
Speaking at a DLP Northern Zone branch meeting at Alexandra School on Sunday, Thorne charged that Mottley handpicked Minister of Educational Transformation Senator Chad Blackman and “foisted” him upon the people of St James North, bypassing the traditional process of constituency nominations unlike the DLP with its selection of Felicia Dujon, for St James North in the May 21 by-election.
During that event, the party introduced first-time candidate Simon Clarke for St Philip North, Jason Phillips will carry the party’s banner in St Peter, Paul Gibson again in St James Central, David Waldron in St George North, Melissa Howard in Christ Church West Central, and Ensley Grainger running in St Michael East.
Thorne stated to a packed hall: “There was no fairness, no openness, no transparency”.
‘Denied’
“The Prime Minister simply decided that Chad Blackman would be the candidate, and that was the end of it. The people of St James North were denied their voice, and a young woman who had long served the branch, Dr Reid, was cast aside without explanation.”
Thorne contrasted the BLP’s approach with what he described as the DLP’s commitment to transparency and democracy.
“Felicia Dujon’s nomination was above board, open to scrutiny, and overwhelmingly supported by her branch. Every step of the process was conducted with integrity. Not one of our candidates was handpicked. Not one was imposed on the people.”
The DLP leader warned that what unfolded in St James North was symptomatic of a broader and more dangerous pattern under Mottley’s leadership.
“We are living under an authoritarian regime, where one woman seeks to control every institution – public and private – including the media,” Thorne said.
“She rules by fear, not by strength. She is not a strong woman.”
Calling for the country to wake up to what he described as the erosion of democracy, Thorne accused the Prime Minister of swaying public perception with carefully staged international photo opportunities, while real issues at home,
such as spiralling violent crime, remain unaddressed.
“She flies around the world posing with global leaders while young men are dying in our streets. She cares more about the cameras than the people. Barbados deserves better,” he said.
Surge in crime
Thorne reserved particular ire for the Government’s failure to tackle the surge in violent crime, accusing them of abandoning responsibility and vilifying struggling single mothers instead. He repeated his call for the urgent passage of anti-gang legislation and the establishment of a dedicated gun court, warning that Barbados is “in the grip of its worst crime crisis since Independence”.
“This Government has no interest in real solutions. They have no will to act. They prefer to blame the poor and the powerless while criminality festers,” he said.
Describing the upcoming by-election as “a day of destiny”, Thorne told supporters that a victory in St James North would mark the first step in restoring democracy, decency, and justice to Barbados.
“This by-election is not about one seat – it is about the soul of our nation. St James North must be the beginning of the return to Government for the Democratic Labour Party, and the return to honour for this country,” he said.
Thorne urged supporters to gather at party headquarters at George Street this morning to begin organising their campaign machinery, pledging that the DLP would fight the by-election with integrity and humility, but with fierce determination.
“We are not here for celebrity. We are here to serve. We are here to rescue Barbados from the brink,” Thorne said.
The St James North seat became vacant following the resignation of Edmund Hinkson which took effect on Friday and Mottley chose that day to announce the May 21 date for the by-election.
(CLM)
