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Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader Ralph Thorne says he will step down from the leadership of the party following its third successive 30–nil election defeat to the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), acknowledging the outcome was “very disappointing” but insisting the 70-year-old organisation would rebuild.
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Thorne made the disclosure early Thursday at the DLP’s headquarters after the Mia Mottley-led BLP again swept all 30 seats in the House of Assembly, securing an unprecedented third consecutive clean sweep at the polls.
“I want to say that the party came back after the obvious difficulties of two years ago. We came back and we fought together. We were united and the people of Barbados understand. And I think we came out looking quite well. The result, as I said, is disappointing, but this party is very resourceful in going forward. Clearly, the time comes when I must pass on to other persons. This is a democratic organisation. I do not write political will and a new leader will emerge, I’m sure in the fullness of time,” Thorne said.
He was surrounded by several of the party’s candidates, none of whom managed to break the BLP’s hold on the House of Assembly or prevent the governing party from achieving a “three-peat” of total electoral victories.
The latest result follows similar outcomes in 2018 and 2022, when the DLP also suffered 30–nil defeats as the BLP swept every constituency in historic fashion.
Despite the loss, Thorne said the DLP had set an example for young Barbadians by conducting a “clean” campaign.
“We fought the good fight, we finished the course, and we kept our faith, and we go forward. This party goes forward with the faith that what we do is well done here, and I also want to thank the Democratic Labour Party. I have had amazing comradeship around here, certainly within the team, a group of young men and young women who made for a good group dynamic. We had an excellent group dynamic. When you saw us in public, and even here tonight, expressing affection, often it was quite genuine affection. So I want to thank the party for being a good party, and its work must continue,” he said.
Thorne, who won the Christ Church South seat on a BLP ticket in the 2022 general election before crossing the floor to the DLP in 2024, contested the St John constituency in Wednesday’s poll — a seat once regarded as a DLP stronghold.
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