Former President of the Young Democrats Tyra Trotman’s crossing the political aisle to join the ruling Barbados Labour Party has sparked fresh concerns over the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) stability, two political experts have told Barbados TODAY. They suggest her switch is a symptom of ongoing issues within the DLP, where internal divisions and a lack of youthful leadership continue to weaken the party.
Political scientists Peter Wickham and Devaron Bruce made the assessment in response to Trotman’s statement on Thursday in which she indicated she is now aligned with the BLP.
Trotman explained that the events leading up to her departure from the DLP — including the removal of former party president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and subsequent resignations of his supporters in protest — were crucial in her decision.
She said: “The circumstances leading to my decision have not been easy. I found myself in a position where my previous party sought to silence my voice by locking me out and villainising me for speaking out against unconstitutional behaviours and practices. This is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of democracy that we hold dear. While my alignment with the BLP represents a new chapter, I want to reassure the public that I will remain an unwavering advocate for justice and accountability.”
Wickham said Trotman’s shift should not surprise anyone, given the numerous reports of infighting in the DLP over the past several months. He raised what he considers the larger question of what Trotman’s goals might be as the country heads towards the next general election, noting her clear ambition for a more prominent role in politics.
“I think the real question that everybody is asking now is, what does she want, what does she expect, and will she get ahead of so many others who are lining up for candidacy in various areas and so on,” he said.
Wickham explained that while Trotman’s move to the ruling party might appear as “no news”, it again underscores the DLP’s current state. He pointed out that the resignation of over 40 members, including figures like Irene Sandiford-Garner and Undine Whittaker following Dr Yearwood’s departure, marks a significant low point in the party’s history that remains unresolved.
He said: “The DLP’s low point is when the group left. The fact that she is now associated with the BLP is not taking it any lower. When it comes down to it, people associate with a political party because they see it as a star to which to hitch their political wagon. I think it’s painfully obvious that the Democratic Labour Party is not now, nor is it likely to be, a political star any time in the future.”
“So if you are serious about politics and you want to hitch your wagon to a star, you go towards the Barbados Labour Party. In addition to demonstrating that the party did not have much time for young people, it also demonstrated that the Democratic Labour Party as an institution and a unit was not going anywhere politically,” he added.
Bruce noted that although Trotman came to prominence under Yearwood, her switch to the BLP shows she has strong political aspirations and does not see the need to wait until the DLP gets its house “in order.”
He said: “You have a circumstance where you removed a young, progressive president, to replace him with a significantly older individual who surrounds himself strategically with other older individuals and seemingly does not have a very progressive view about the world around us. We certainly have a very ageing branch around the DLP, as opposed to the BLP which, quite frankly, is far more jubilant as it relates to the youth.”
But another political scientist Dr Kristina Hinds said the move was “nothing consequential to either the DLP or the BLP”.
The former independent senator explained that until membership numbers from the two main political parties indicate growth or decline in young members, Trotman’s switch remains insignificant.
The post Young Dem’s defection to Bees ‘further exposes opposition cracks’ appeared first on Barbados Today.
