THE BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY’S [BLP] ST LUCY branch is not part of what appears to be a plot originating in the northern parishes, to ensure that Opposition Leader Mia Mottley loses her bid to become chairperson of the party.
Both St Lucy BLP candidate Peter Phillips and branch president Pearson Springer yesterday categorically denied that the branch was undertaking a recruitment drive designed to send delegates to this monthend’s conference to vote against Mottley.
Mottley goes up against St Andrew MP George Payne for chairmanship of the party during the annual general conference from October 29 to 31. The chairmanship is a three-year appointment that will coincide with the next general election. Election campaign funding falls under the responsibility of the party’s chairman.
Responding to allegations that branch funds had been taken up to recruit members to undermine Mottley at the conference, Springer said that situation was “totally untrue”.
Springer said 14 delegates had already been nominated for the conference based on the branch’s membership of just over 140. He said there had been no increase in membership for 2010.
“In terms of the use of branch funds, I am not aware of that. Delegates normally pay their own fees so that is an untruth. I know nothing of the sort,” he said.Springer said he was responsible for the submission of the names to the BLP’s general secretary and those delegates had first been nominated by the executive and approved by the branch on September 19. He said he presided over both meetings.
Phillips said yesterday was the first occasion he had heard of any such alleged intrigue in his branch but to the best of his knowledge the allegations were untrue.
He added there had been no recruitment drive in his branch or unusual increase in membership.
On Sunday, St James North MP Rawle Eastmond revealed that he had discovered a plot, originating outside his constituency, to send 56 delegates to the annual conference, ostensibly to represent his branch, but without the knowledge or authority of his executive.
In a letter sent to BLP general secretary Cynthia Forde on October 6, Eastmond revealed that none of the so-called delegates originally submitted to her had ever been to any of his branch’s monthly meetings. He indicated then that his branch had not even met to choose delegates for the conference.
Mottley has expressed her horror at what is said to be going on, while Payne has indicated an unawareness that anyone has publicly indicated an intention to compete against him for chairmanship of the BLP.
Reports are that at least two other rural constituencies and one St Michael riding have over the past few weeks seen a marked increase in membership recruitment.
