Long-standing DLP members severing ties with party

About 40-plus members of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Friday declared their intention to resign from the party at a press conference in Queen’s Park involving mainly women.

Former DLP elder and member of the party’s women’s group Undine Whittaker said this action was being taken in response to the “unfair and unjust” treatment meted out to members who protested the expulsion of former president Dr Ronnie Yearwood and former general secretary Steve Blackett last month.

She said that in addition to the resignations of prominent members, including Irene Sandiford-Garner, Tyra Trotman, Tricia Watson, Stacia Browne and Stefan Newton, several people have been “quietly” sending in their resignation papers.

During the press conference, several elderly women who have been members of the party for as long as 50 years expressed their solidarity with Whittaker, who has also parted ways with the DLP. (SZB)