Steve Blackett on Friday vowed to challenge his expulsion from the Democratic Labour Party, describing it as an unjust decision made by a small group within the party.
In an emotional interview during the CBC 100.7 current affairs radio show, Blackett expressed his deep hurt and adamant refusal to accept the 33-member general council’s decision.
“How can 33 people get in a chat room last night and decide on my fate or Ronnie’s fate when 510 voted for me last year and 440-something voted for Ronnie?” he questioned, referring to himself and the party’s president, Dr Ronnie Yearwood, who was also expelled.
“This cannot end. The members must rise up in holy indignation . . . I am not saying anything about violence, no violence. But they must let their voices be heard in this scenario. This is the first time they will get an opportunity . . . because we have been dealing with it at the executive council level and the general council level among our little groupings, but never once have we given the rank-and-file members of this party and opportunity to speak to this issue.”
Blackett, who said he has been with the DLP “from boyhood”, was informed of his expulsion via a letter dated August 15 from acting general secretary Pedro Shepherd. The decision followed recommendations from a disciplinary committee, which Blackett had earlier dismissed as “illegal” and a “kangaroo court”.
“This matter is now in the hands of the membership of this party. Let them decide our fate. [It’s] far from over,” Blackett insisted.
He called on party members to boycott the upcoming pre-conference gala but urged them to attend the annual general conference en masse on August 24.
“They must let their voices be heard in this scenario,” he said. “They must boycott it. Don’t go down there showing any support for them, but turn up in your numbers on the 24th and show that you have a voice in this scenario.”
The expelled general secretary painted a bleak picture of the DLP’s future, warning that the current leadership crisis could lead to another heavy defeat in the next general election.
“The party cannot run like this,” he cautioned, “And anybody who wants to associate themselves with this party is wasting their time.”
Highlighting the severity of the internal divisions, Blackett claimed that only divine intervention could heal the rift.
“God Almighty would have to come down from His throne and present himself at Kennington, George Street, Belleville, walk into the gates in all of His holiness, and solve this problem,” he stated.
While acknowledging the possibility of forming a new political party, Blackett dismissed the idea as impractical due to time and resource constraints.
“Forming a new political party is a bridge too far,” he suggested. “I will tell you why. Outside of the financial side of it, it takes structure, it takes time to formalise and to form a political party. Elections are constitutionally due in 2027, if Ms Mottley so decides. We don’t have any time, we don’t have any resources, we don’t have any money.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
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