THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS has hit the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
The BLP has been forced to sever long-serving chief executive officer David “Joey” Harper, as well as administrative secretary Marilyn Forde, as part of efforts to cut operational costs at its Roebuck Street, St Michael headquarters.
Harper has been a member of the BLP for over 30 years and contested the 1991 general election against then Democratic Labour Party member Johnny Tudor in the St Michael East constituency.
Harper confirmed yesterday that he had been laid off by the party but stressed there was no anger or animosity on his part.
“These are the realities of the economic times we are facing. I understand and appreciate that tough decisions have to be made for the future good of the party,” he said.
A confidential source within the BLP’s hierarchy told the SATURDAY SUN yesterday that the party’s cash-strapped situation had been exacerbated by dwindling monetary contributions from party elders.
The source said that last year at the height of the impasse between then Opposition Leader Mia Mottley and current leader Owen Arthur, BLP chairman George Payne publicly dismissed the elders’ attempt at intervention in the situation and stated the BLP’s constitution made no mention of them.
“That was a huge mistake since they are important sources of funding for us and should not have been spoken of like that,” the source said. Harper and Forde’s severance are the first since last October’s change of party leadership.
An opposition party is entitled to an annual state subvention of $150 000 which is usually drawn down in two tranches.
The source noted the financial straits faced by the party were also reflected in the “less than suitable” physical and sanitary conditions at its Roebuck Street home.
When contacted BLP treasurer, accountant Douglas Skeete, would only confirm that Harper and Forde had been severed as a result of economic reasons but he declined to go into any details on the financial health of the BLP.
Efforts to reach Arthur were unsuccessful up to press time.
