Watson removal ‘a step back’

The recent appointment of acting Democratic Labour Party (DLP) president Andre Worrell to the Senate, following the removal of Senator Tricia Watson, has ignited strong criticism from two  political scientists. 

Dr Kristina Hinds and Devaron Bruce have both voiced their concerns, highlighting not only the gender implications of the decision but also the DLP’s strategic direction under Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne.

Hinds described the move as a “retrograde step” that undermines the party’s commitment to gender equity. Hinds pointed out that Worrell’s appointment came after previous suggestions that the DLP’s president should occupy a Senate seat were dismissed when the party was led by Dr Ronnie Yearwood.

“I don’t know that the Leader of the Opposition needs to be guided by the electorate – it might be wise – but he may have other reasons for making his selection,” Hinds stated.

“The funny thing about it is that he has selected the person who is now the president of the DLP,” he added.

Hinds was also critical of the gender dynamics noting, “The DLP has two Senate seats and it has replaced a woman – a very powerful and good woman in the Senate – with another man,” she said, referring to Watson. “If we look at the record of the DLP with relation to women in politics, it’s not excellent. So the optics are not great and especially for a party that may want to portray itself as progressive.”

The political scientist lamented that in 2024, the DLP seemed to be falling short of the progress many had hoped for.

 “I do think it’s a regressive step. In particular, when we are talking about women in politics, when you replace someone – a woman in politics – who was really quite good, hope for the future, prospect for the future, with another man, especially when it’s just two seats you have,” Hinds remarked.

Echoing Hinds’ sentiments, fellow political scientist Devaron Bruce offered a similarly critical perspective, emphasising that the DLP’s struggles with gender issues were not new.

 “The DLP has had an issue regarding gender for some time and you had in Tricia Watson what would have been an accomplished attorney, someone who has done a stellar job in her professional life, someone who has been a public advocate in many ways, and someone who most probably, if not all would agree, made stellar contributions to the Senate,” Bruce asserted.

He expressed disappointment that such a capable woman was replaced by Worrell, a move he said reinforced the criticisms the DLP faced regarding its treatment of women in politics.

Bruce also questioned the strategic value of Worrell’s appointment, especially in light of the DLP’s recent internal challenges.

 “I don’t think that it will instill confidence into Barbadians who have been onlookers of the drama and trauma that the DLP has been facing over the last couple of months,” Bruce said, referring to the party’s recent leadership struggles and public controversies.

“The reality is that Ralph Thorne had the opportunity to present to the public a competent team – a national team – by presenting those individuals to the Senate, individuals who I believe should really be able to contribute to the Senate in a meaningful way and really represent the Democratic Labour Party on this national stage,” Bruce explained. 

“But I think the current crop, so to speak, falls short in many ways of that and quite frankly I don’t think that many Barbadians are going to look to that trio with confidence.”

Bruce speculated about the new development, stating it might be a move to solidify his support within the party, particularly from Worrell and Ryan Walters.

 “It may be a circumstance where Ralph Thorne, as a relatively new political leader to the Democratic Labour Party, may need to solidify his base within the party, and you have individuals like Andre Worrell, who have been supportive of him and Ryan Walters, who have been seemingly supportive of him as well,” Bruce suggested.

 However, he cautioned that this inward focus could be detrimental to the party’s broader electoral prospects.

“The interesting thing is that the DLP really ought not to continue in its navel-gazing and should look to the national stage, particularly given the fact that elections are two years out,” Bruce advised. He expressed skepticism about the strategic or political benefits of Worrell’s appointment, questioning whether it truly served the party’s long-term goals.

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