West Indies Democratic Labour Party

The West Indies Democratic Labour Party (DLP) or Democrats was one of two Federal parties in the short-lived West Indies Federation, the other being the West Indies Federal Labour Party (WIFLP). The party was organised by Sir Alexander Bustamante to counter the WIFLP led by his cousin Norman Manley. In the 1958 West Indies federal elections, the party lost, winning 19 of the 45 seats in the Federal Parliament of the West Indies Federation.

West Indies Democratic Labour Party
LeaderAlexander Bustamante
Parliamentary leaderAshford Sastri Sinanan
FounderAlexander Bustamante
FoundedMay 1957
DissolvedMay 31, 1962 (1962-05-31)
Succeeded byCaribbean Democrat Union (de facto)
IdeologyAnti-communism
Anti-socialism[1]
Conservatism
Labourism
Confederalism
Political positionCentre to centre-right

History

It was founded in May 1957 and was originally composed of parties from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia a number of individuals (since unlike the WIFLP, the DLP admitted both parties and individuals). Bustamante was unanimously elected as leader of the party, while Ashford Sinanan (Trinidad), Victor Bryan (Trinidad) and Ebenezer Joshua (St. Vincent) were chosen as first, second and third deputy leaders, respectively. Other members of the executive included Donald Sangster, Mrs. Rose Leon, Morris Cargill (all from Jamaica) and Bhadase Sagan Maraj (Trinidad).

Membership

The party was a confederation of local parties from each of the constituent territories. Generally speaking its constituent parties were the more rural based parties. Individuals (whether or not affiliated with a specific party) could be admitted. This led to the situation wherein Bhadase Sagan Maraj as leader of the People's Democratic Party of Trinidad was admitted as a member, but the party apparently was not. Other individuals admitted included Ashford Sinanan (also of the People's Democratic Party of Trinidad), Albert Gomes and Roy Josephs.

Affiliated parties (incomplete)

Island DLP Member
Name abbr.
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados Democratic Labour Party DLP
Dominica
Grenada
Jamaica Jamaica Labour Party JLP
Montserrat
Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
Saint Lucia People's Progressive Party PPP
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines People's Political Party PPP
Trinidad and Tobago Democratic Labour Party DLP

1958 West Indies federal elections

In the Federal elections of 1958 the WIFLP won the majority of the votes in the Federal Parliament. Since neither Manley nor Bustamante had contested the Federal elections, Sir Grantley Adams became the Federal Prime Minister, while Ashford Sinanan was the (DLP) Leader of the Opposition.

Manifesto

The DLP's election platform emphasized West Indian unity, freedom of worship and speech, encouragement of trade unions, a climate favourable to both private industry and labour, development of human and economic resources, and expansion of tourism. It pledged to work for the entry of British Guiana and British Honduras into the Federation, promised to press for loans and technical assistance to raise standards of living and avoid high taxation and urged a strengthening of existing ties with the United Kingdom, United States and Canada and fostering "very strong and profitable relationships" with neighbouring countries.

Dissolution

Under criticism for his anti-Federalism, Bustamante resigned from the DLP. He then held a referendum in Jamaica which favoured withdrawal from the Federation. This left Trinidad and Tobago with a disproportionate burden of the Federal budget, leading Eric Williams to lead them out of the Federation. This action led the British to dissolve the Federation.

References

  • Meighoo, Kirk. 2003. Politics in a Half Made Society: Trinidad and Tobago, 1925-2002 ISBN 1-55876-306-6
  • Wallace, Elisabeth. 1977. The British Caribbean: From the decline of colonialism to the end of Federation University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-5351-3
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