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This morning, some members of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) were barred from entering the venue of the final day of its 69th annual conference in George Street, St Michael.
Those who remained outside included expelled general secretary Steve Blackett, Young Democrats leader Tyra Trotman and former candidate Undene Whittaker. Dr Ronnie Yearwood, who was also expelled from the party, arrived later to speak with police.
Sen. Tricia Watson also tried to get in, and Trotman said, “She’s a senator. Don’t tell me senators are excluded!”
Watson and two family members were allowed in, but the gates were then closed.
Trotman said: “I am the elected leader of the party’s youth wing but I am banned from SDLP meetings…”
“This is supposed to be a democracy, this is supposed to be a democratic party. We have our names in our names, our names in our names, and this is what’s happening?” she demanded.
“And then they expect Barbadians, right thinking members of society, to vote for these people on election day. You can’t even uphold the constitution of a political party? How then can you uphold the constitution of a country?”
Whitaker, a member of the executive committee and general council, said she had a valid receipt and was allowed entry.
“I arrived at the door this morning and was told I was not allowed in. I have served this party for 47 years and now I am barred from this institution, which I find most undemocratic and unconstitutional.”
Another woman, who did not want to be named, said she joined the party in 1986 and voted for Anderson “Peanut” Morrison, but now found herself excluded.
Later that morning, Blackett and former campaign manager Robert “Bobby” Morris also got into an argument outside party headquarters, which did not involve profanity but demonstrated the deep divisions between the two sides.
The latter, upon seeing Blackett, called him a “friend,” to which Blackett responded, “You’re not my old friend. You’re not my friend anymore, Bobby.”
Yesterday, after a press conference, acting chairman Andre Worrell invited “all members” to attend a church service at 9 a.m. He said the service would be preceded by breakfast, with the meeting continuing after 10 a.m.
“Come on. We need prayer, we need unity… This is an opportunity to show your love for the SDLP, this is an opportunity to show your commitment to serve the people of Barbados. This is an opportunity to show that this party and its people are led by God and by faith, and we are not doing this voluntarily,” Worrell said.
Yesterday’s meeting was suspended.Saturday
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