DLP members barred from conference

Some members of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) were this morning barred from entering the premises on the final day of the 69th Annual Conference at George Street, St Michael.

Expelled general secretary Steve Blackett, head of the Young Democrats Tyra Trotman and former candidate Undene Whittaker were among those left outside the gates. Dr Ronnie Yearwood, whose membership of the party was also revoked, arrived later and was seen talking with police officers.

Senator Tricia Watson was also trying to gain entry when Trotman remarked: “She’s a Senator. Don’t tell me the Senators getting excluded!”

Watson and two family members were allowed to enter, but the gates were closed after.

“I am the elected leader of the youth arm of this party and I am being excluded from entering the premises of the Democratic Labour Party …,” Trotman said.

“This is supposed to be a democratic country, this is supposed to be a democratic party. We have the name in our name, the word in our name and this is what is happening?” she queried.

“And then they expect Barbadians, right thinking members of society to vote for these people come election day and you can’t even uphold the constitution of a party? How are you then supposed to uphold the Constitution of a country?”

Whittaker, a member of the executive and general councils said she held a valid receipt which should grant her entry.

“I came to the gate this morning and I was told that I would not be allowed to enter. I find this most undemocratic and unconstitutional that after 47 years of giving service to this party that I am now being debarred from entering this institution.”

Another woman, who did not give her name, said she joined the party in 1986 having voted for Anderson “Peanuts” Morrison and now found herself on the outside.

Later in the morning, Blackett and former campaign manager Robert “Bobby” Morris also had an exchange of words outside party headquarters. No expletives were uttered, but it demonstrated the deep divide.

The latter saw Blackett and referred to him as his “friend” to which Blackett replied: “You are not my friend, former. You are not my friend anymore, Bobby.”

Yesterday, after a media conference, acting president Andre Worrell invited “all members” to attend the church service at 9 a.m. This would be preceded by breakfast, he said, followed by the continuation of the conference after 10 a.m.

“Come. We need the prayer, we need the unity…This is an opportunity to show your love for the Democratic Labour Party, this is an opportunity to show your commitment to service to the people of Barbados. This is the opportunity to show that this party and its people are led and believe in God, and we are not doing this on our own accord,” Worrell said.

Yesterday’s conference was suspended. (SAT)

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