Written by Staff Writer
For the first time in 123 years, Barbados has the opportunity to change the country’s monarchy by electing its own head of state.
While the last election to elect the head of state was in 1910, a petition began in 1989 calling for a constitutional convention to replace the head of state with a prime minister and a senate. And with the country’s upcoming April 29 election, it looks as though the campaign to elect its own head of state is reaching fruition.
British vs. British
Barbados’ Parliament has long been dominated by supporters of the Queen, but this time the public seems split on whether to change the monarchy. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Barbados was a British colony and still relies on British business, tax and judicial systems. The first prime minister, Sir Owen Arthur, was a staunch supporter of the monarchy and it is customary to show respect to the Queen at official functions.
But for Barbadians, who have supported their own prime minister and senate at elections, the country’s current head of state feels very British. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s administration told residents of Barbados that the Queen would not officially attend the country’s forthcoming elections — probably to the disappointment of his main political opponent.
Despite this, a 2016 survey by the University of the West Indies’ Barbados Institute for Intercultural Relations showed that while 76% of Barbadians believed that the Barbados Sovereign should remain British, 53% wanted to see it replaced.
The decline of the monarchy
Barbados’ Queen Elizabeth I Road, also known as the Macdonald Road. Credit: Rob Johnson/Flickr
Both Stuart and main rival Mia Mottley support scrapping the monarchy in favor of electing its head of state. Credit: Rob Johnson/Flickr
A 2017 survey by the University of West Indies also found that while 76% of Barbadians believed that the Barbados Sovereign should remain British, 53% wanted to see it replaced.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s administration told residents of Barbados that the Queen would not officially attend the country’s forthcoming elections. Credit: WDBJ/Bloomberg
If two candidates are elected to Parliament, the new prime minister would then have to form a government in consultation with their allies in the Senate. The two main candidates supporting the abolition of the monarchy are the current Prime Minister and main political opponent Mia Mottley.
Part-time parliamentarians and all-party conferences
Barbados is moving toward becoming a part-time parliament, with Part-time Parliamentarians and Regional Alliance Parties in 2021. Credit: WDBJ/Bloomberg
The country is also planning to become a part-time parliament, from 2021. The first part of the move is to appoint, after the next general election, full-time Members of Parliament to govern the country. However the move means that the term of office will be reduced, with part-time MPs’ terms currently being five years.
Credit: Rob Johnson/Flickr
The second part of the drive is to form alliances with regional parties to represent a wider region with special consideration to special needs such as victims of trafficking and gender-based violence.
The effects of Brexit
The departure of the UK from the European Union has not been kind to Barbados, with the country’s struggling tourism industry under constant pressure. Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The departure of the UK from the European Union has not been kind to Barbados, with the country’s struggling tourism industry under constant pressure.