by Bajan Reporter / May 25th, 2021 This year holds particular significance for the Democratic Labour Party ( DLP). The party will celebrate its 60th ( Diamond) Anniversary of being first elected to government in 1961, and the 50th ( Gold) Anniversary of being elected as the first government under the single member constituency system. The 1961 General Elections were the first held subsequent to Barbados being granted full self-government. They occurred under the old double member system in 12 constituencies. When all the votes were counted, the DLP emerged the winner, securing 14 of the 24 seats – the BLP got 5, the Ernest Mottley led BNP party 4, and 1 seat was won by an Independent.