Yearwood urges Barbadians to defend democracy

Former President of the Democratic Labour Party, Dr. Ronnie Yearwood, has called on Barbadians, especially the youth, to unite behind democracy, warning that the party’s inability to resolve internal problems could hinder the country’s development.

He warned: “If we fail to fix the SDLP, expectations of fixing this country will be low.”

He made the comments after he was banned from the party’s headquarters for its annual conference on Sunday, sparking outrage after former general secretary Steve Blackett and other senior and rank-and-file members of the party were also barred.

Dr Yearwood expressed sadness at the impact of these developments on the party and the state of democracy in the country.

“Today is a sad day for our country’s democracy,” he said, stressing that every member should have the right to attend the convention as it is the party’s highest decision-making body. Yearwood reiterated that members had previously confirmed their support for Blackett and himself, so any attempt to downgrade them would be invalid. “This morning, some members who were supposed to vote were denied entry. This is not democracy,” he declared.

Blackett Barbados Todaystressing that the situation was the exact opposite of the previous evening. “We have been locked out this morning,” he said, describing the situation as untenable and warning that it could escalate into a conflict that no one wants. “We have legitimate, dues-paid members of the SLP who have been barred from entering the headquarters, which truly belongs to the party members,” he added.

Fidesz chairwoman Tera Trotman also expressed frustration at being denied entry.

“I came here this morning to exercise my rights as a member and was told I was not allowed in,” she said. Trotman confirmed that she is a financial member who was confused about her exclusion and expressed concern about a list that allegedly banned certain members from the venue. “I would love to know who the authors of this list are and what authority they had to create it,” she asserted, stressing that excluding members from the annual meeting is unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, Walter Maloney, second vice-chairman of the Democratic Labor Party, also expressed concern about the situation. He pointed out that a series of changes had led to the current crisis, including the shift to face-to-face meetings and the introduction of online voting without consulting members. “This disenfranchises those who are unrepentant,” he said, revealing that he had tried to join a Soaring But was blocked.

He condemned the actions of a small group within the party, claiming they were working to delegitimize the majority of party members. “I decided not to join in solidarity with my fellow countrymen,” he said, stressing the importance of party members uniting in times of adversity.RG)