Democratic Labour Party (West Indies Federation)
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Labour Party was one of the two Federal parties in the short-lived West Indies Federation
. The party was organised by Sir Alexander Bustamante
to counter the West Indies Federal Labour Party
led by his cousin Norman Manley
.
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 Maraj
(Trinidad).
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 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.
Parties affiliated with the DLP included (incomplete)
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.
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
.
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.
West Indies Federation
The West Indies Federation, also known as the Federation of the West Indies, was a short-lived Caribbean federation that existed from January 3, 1958, to May 31, 1962. It consisted of several Caribbean colonies of the United Kingdom...
. The party was organised by Sir Alexander Bustamante
Alexander Bustamante
Sir William Alexander Clarke Bustamante GBE, National Hero of Jamaica was a Jamaican politician and labour leader....
to counter the West Indies Federal Labour Party
West Indies Federal Labour Party
The West Indies Federal Labour Party was one of the two main Federal parties in the short-lived West Indies Federation. The party was the first national party of the planned West Indies Federation. It was organised by Norman Manley, Grantley Adams, V.C...
led by his cousin Norman Manley
Norman Manley
Norman Washington Manley MM QC National Hero of Jamaica , was a Jamaican statesman. A Rhodes Scholar, Manley became one of Jamaica's leading lawyers in the 1920s...
.
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
Ashford Sinanan
Notable public servant of Trinidad and Tobago who served in various roles prior to and following Trinidad’s independence in 1962. Along with brother, Mitra, Sinanan helped draft portions of Trinidad’s constitution and later went on to serve as the country’s first High Commissioner to India...
(Trinidad), Victor Bryan (Trinidad) and Ebenezer Joshua
Ebenezer Joshua
Ebenezer Theodore Joshua was a Vincentian politician and the first chief minister of Saint Vincent from 1956 to 1967.-Early life and career:...
(St. Vincent) were chosen as first, second and third deputy leaders, respectively. Other members of the executive included Donald Sangster
Donald Sangster
Sir Donald Burns Sangster was a Jamaican politician and the second Prime Minister of Jamaica. He entered politics in 1933 at the age of 21 with his election to the council of the Parish of St Elizabeth, Jamaica...
, Mrs. Rose Leon, Morris Cargill
Morris Cargill
Morris Cargill CD was a white Jamaican lawyer, businessman, planter, journalist and novelist.Educated at Munro College, a prestigious Jamaican secondary school, and the Stowe School in England, Cargill was articled as a solicitor in 1937...
(all from Jamaica) and Bhadase Maraj
Bhadase Maraj
Bhadase Sagan Maraj was a Trinidad and Tobago politician, religious leader and businessman. He founded the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha in 1952, which grew into the major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago.-Early life:...
(Trinidad).
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 Maraj as leader of the People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party could refer to:* People's Democratic Party * Eelam People's Democratic Party * Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party * People's Democratic Party * 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
Albert Gomes
Albert Maria Gomes , a Trinidad and Tobago unionist, politician, and writer of Portuguese descent, was the first Chief Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He was the founder of the Political Progress Groups and later led the Party of Political Progress Groups...
and Roy Josephs.
Parties affiliated with the DLP included (incomplete)
- Democratic Labour Party (Barbados)Democratic Labour Party (Barbados)The Democratic Labour Party is a political party in Barbados, and currently the ruling party of the country. It is led by Freundel Stuart.-History:...
- Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)The Democratic Labour Party was the main opposition party in Trinidad and Tobago between 1957 and 1971. The party was the party which opposed the People's National Movement at the time of Independence...
- Jamaica Labour PartyJamaica Labour PartyThe Jamaica Labour Party is one of the two major political parties in Jamaica, the other being the People's National Party. Despite its name, the JLP is a centre-right, conservative party.-Background:...
- Party of Political Progress GroupsParty of Political Progress GroupsThe Party of Political Progress Groups was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. It first contested national elections in 1950, when it received 3.4% of the vote and won two seats. After the elections its leader, Albert Gomes, was appointed Chief Minister despite the Butler Party winning six...
(Trinidad and Tobago) - People's Political Party (St Vincent)
- Tobago Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)
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.
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
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, while Ashford Sinanan
Ashford Sinanan
Notable public servant of Trinidad and Tobago who served in various roles prior to and following Trinidad’s independence in 1962. Along with brother, Mitra, Sinanan helped draft portions of Trinidad’s constitution and later went on to serve as the country’s first High Commissioner to India...
was the (DLP) Leader of the Opposition
Opposition (parliamentary)
Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the administration or the cabinet rather than the state...
.
Under criticism for his anti-Federalism, Bustamante resigned from the DLP. He then held a referendum in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
which favoured withdrawal from the Federation. This left Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
with a disproportionate burden of the Federal budget, leading Eric Williams
Eric Williams
Eric Eustace Williams served as the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He served from 1956 until his death in 1981. He was also a noted Caribbean historian, and is widely regarded as "The Father of The Nation."...
to lead them out of the Federation. This action led the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to dissolve the Federation.