Ralph Thorne

Barbadian politician

Ralph Thorne QC MP


Leader of the Opposition
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 February 2024
Prime Minister	Mia Mottley
Preceded by	Joseph Atherley (2022)
Leader of the Democratic Labour Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 February 2024
Preceded by	Ronnie Yearwood
Member of Parliament for Christ Church South
Incumbent
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)

Ralph Thorne is a Barbadian politician 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 remains President of the party. Thorne's move has returned the DLP to the House of Assembly for the first time since 2018.^[4]

References

^ "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.
^ @KevzPolitics (20 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.