Ralph Thorne KC, MP is a Barbadian politician and lawyer who has served as Leader of the Opposition since 2024. He was elected in 2018 as a candidate of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) for Christ Church South on 24 May 2018.[1] He later crossed the floor and became an independent in February 2024 [2] which made him the leader of the opposition upon defection as the BLP had held all seats in the lower house up until that point. He was sworn in on 12 February 2024.[3] On 19 February, Thorne was proclaimed as political leader of the Democratic Labour Party, while Ronnie Yearwood remained president of the party until his ousting from the party in August later that year.[4] Thorne's move has returned the DLP to the House of Assembly for the first time since 2018.[5]
Ralph Thorne | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| Assumed office 12 February 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Mia Mottley |
| Preceded by | Joseph Atherley (2022) |
| Leader of the Democratic Labour Party | |
| Assumed office 19 February 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Ronnie Yearwood |
| Member of Parliament for Christ Church South | |
| Assumed office 24 May 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Mia Mottley |
| Preceded by | John D. E. Boyce |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic Labour Party (2024–) |
| Other political affiliations | Barbados Labour Party (Until February 2024) |
References
edit- ^ "Member Details". www.barbadosparliament.com. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Clarke, Sherrylyn (10 February 2024). "Ralph Thorne crosses the floor and is new Opposition Leader". nationnews.com. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "WATCH: Ralph Thorne sworn in | Loop Barbados". Loop News. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ slegallgibson (16 August 2024). "Dr. Ronnie Yearwood and Steve Blackett expelled from the DLP". Starcom Network. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ @KevzPolitics (19 February 2024). "#BREAKING - CBC: Barbados Leader of Opposition Ralph Thorne announced as the new Political Leader of the Democratic Labour Party - granting the party its first seat in Parliament since 2018. Dr Ronnie Yearwood will remain DLP President" (Tweet) – via Twitter.