Republicanism in Barbados

Barbados is transitioning from a parliamentary constitutional monarchy under the hereditary monarch of
Barbados (currently Queen Elizabeth II) to a parliamentary republic with a ceremonial elected president as
head of state. The prime minister remains head of government. Incumbent Governor-General Sandra
Mason was elected as the country's first president on 20 October 2021, to take office on 30 November
2021.[1]

Contents
History
2008 proposed referendum
2015 proposal
2020 proposal
Constitutional amendment
First president
See also
References
Further reading

History
In 1979, a commission of inquiry known as the Cox Commission on the Constitution was constituted and
charged with studying the feasibility of introducing a republican system. The Cox Commission came to the
conclusion that Barbadians preferred to maintain the constitutional monarchy. The proposal to move to a
republican status was therefore not pursued.[2] The 1994 manifesto of the Barbados Labour Party dealt
with the republic issue, proposing a referendum. In line with this promise, on 29 October 1996 a
Constitution Review Commission, chaired by Henry de Boulay Forde, was appointed to review the
Constitution of Barbados.[2]

The Commission elected Oliver Jackman, a former diplomat and a judge of the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights as its vice-chairman.

The Commission was mandated to:

1. determine the necessity for retaining the Monarchical System of Government and make
recommendations in respect of the Executive form of government most suited to protect
parliamentary democracy, the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens of Barbados and
to achieve effective and efficient Government so as to position Barbados to meet the
challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
 2. To advise and make a recommendation concerning the appropriateness or otherwise of
maintaining Barbados’ link with the Crown.

3. To advise and make a recommendation concerning a structure for the Executive Authority
of Barbados that is best suited to protect the Independence and Authority of Parliament and the
fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.[2]

The Commission held public hearings in Barbados and overseas.[2] The Commission reported back on 15
December 1998, and submitted its report to the Governor-General. The Commission recommended that
Barbados adopt a parliamentary republic system. In 1999 the Barbados Labour Party's manifesto proposed
that the findings of the Commission and its recommendation that Barbados become a republic receive the
early attention of the Government.[2]

A Referendum Bill was introduced in Parliament and had its first reading on 10 October 2000. With the
dissolution of Parliament just prior to the elections in 2003, the Referendum Bill was not carried over.[2]

2008 proposed referendum

In February 2005 the Government of Barbados announced its intention to hold a referendum on the
republic issue.[3] It introduced a Referendum Bill that month.[3] The Bill was passed into law as the
Referendum Act in October 2005. The Act did not set a date for the referendum but instead specified that
the "Referendum Day" could be proclaimed by the Governor-General, being no more than 90 days and no
less than 60 days from the date of proclamation.[4] The Act itself could not amend Barbados's constitution,
because under section 49.1 a majority of two-thirds of Parliament is required to make any amendments.[5]

According to the Referendum Act 2005,[4] the question to be asked was:

Do you agree with the recommendation of the Constitution Review Commission that
Barbados should become a parliamentary republic with the head of state of Barbados being a
president who is a citizen of Barbados?

Owen Arthur, as Prime Minister stated publicly: "Heaven forbid, but if Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth were
to die, if Prince Charles and Prince William were to die, I would have a fundamental difficulty swearing
allegiance to King Harry."[6][7] The comment came shortly after Prince Harry had attended a public
function wearing a Nazi armband in January 2005.[8][9][10]

Mia Mottley, who was Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, said: "We feel that it is the right thing to do to
have a Barbadian head of state. We accept that there was a concern that the Government alone should not
make that decision in this day and age and we are therefore committed to expressing our views to the public
and having them pass judgment on it."[11]

The referendum on Barbados becoming a republic was planned to be held by August 2008, near to the time
of the parliamentary elections.[12] However, it was reported on 2 December 2007 that the vote was to be
deferred to a later date.[13]

2015 proposal
On 22 March 2015, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced that Barbados would move towards a
republican form of government "in the very near future". Stuart told a meeting of his Democratic Labour
Party: "We cannot pat ourselves on the shoulder at having gone into independence; having de-colonised
our politics; we cannot pat ourselves on the shoulders at having decolonized our jurisprudence by delinking
from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and explain to anybody why we continue to have a
monarchical system. Therefore, the Right Excellent Errol Barrow decolonized the politics; Owen Arthur
decolonized the jurisprudence and Freundel Stuart is going to complete the process."[14]

The general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party, George Pilgrim, confirmed the move and said that it
was expected to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Barbadian independence in 2016. According to
Pilgrim, the change would be implemented through a bill that would be presented to the Parliament of
Barbados.[15]

According to the country's Constitution, a two-thirds majority in Parliament is needed to authorize the
change. The Democratic Labour Party has a two-thirds majority in the Senate of Barbados but not in the
House of Assembly where it would need the support of the opposition Barbados Labour Party to approve
the transition.[16]

2020 proposal
In September 2020, the Barbados Labour Party government of Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced in
their Throne Speech that Barbados would become a republic by November 2021.[17][18] The Barbados
Labour Party holds a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Barbadian Parliament (including all but one
lower house seat), enough to approve a constitutional amendment.[19][20] If the plan was successful, it
meant that Barbados would cease to be a Commonwealth realm, but would maintain membership in the
Commonwealth of Nations.[21][22] One news report stated that Guyana, as well as Trinidad and Tobago,
already has such a relationship with the Commonwealth as do the majority of its member states, forming a
"loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies."[23]

In the 2020 Throne Speech, the Governor-General of Barbados Sandra Mason stated that "The time has
come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state." Former Prime
Minister Freundel Stuart was also a supporter of Barbados becoming a republic, as was former Barbadian
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Guy Hewitt, who stated in an interview that many Barbadians
believe that the country was due for "a native-born citizen as head of state."[23][1] On 3 June 2021, it was
reported in Barbadian media outlets that the general public could email to submit suggestions regarding the
republic issue.[24]

On 27 July 2021, the Day of National Significance in Barbados, Mottley announced that Barbados's
cabinet had decided that Barbados would become a parliamentary republic by 30 November, and accepted
the recommendations of the Forde Commission.[25] Under the proposal, the president would be elected by
both houses of Parliament for a four-year term, and be eligible for a second term. The president would have
mostly ceremonial powers; real power would continue to be de facto vested in the Prime Minister and
Cabinet.[25] with the amendments to the Constitution of Barbados being made before 30 November to
facilitate the swearing-in of a new president on that day.[25] The decision to become a republic without
holding a referendum on the issue has been criticised.[26][27]

Constitutional amendment

On 20 September 2021, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 was introduced to the Parliament of
Barbados.[28] It proposed the following amendments to the Constitution of Barbados:[29]
 All references in the law of Barbados to Her Majesty the Queen, the Crown, and the
Sovereign shall be read and construed as referring to the State;
All references to "Her Majesty's dominions" shall be read and construed as a reference to
the Commonwealth of Nations.
All references to the Governor-General shall be read and construed as referring to the
President of Barbados;
All the powers of the Governor-General transferred to the President;
Amending the official oaths of Barbados to remove references to the Queen;[29]
Electing the first President in a joint sitting of the Parliament of Barbados by 15 October
2021 by the joint nomination of the Prime Minister of Barbados and Leader of the Opposition
with the person elected to take office on 30 November 2021;
Following the end of the first President's term, future presidents will be elected by either a
joint nomination of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition or if there is no joint
nomination, a vote of both houses of the Parliament of Barbados where a two-thirds majority
is required;
President to serve a term of five years;
Vesting all property held by the Crown in the State;
Vesting all the rights and privileges of the Governor-General in the President;
Vesting the prerogatives or privileges of the Crown or Sovereign in the State, subject to the
Constitution.

On 28 September 2021, the House of Assembly of Barbados passed the bill (25–0).[30] On 6 October
2021, the Senate of Barbados passed the bill.[31]

First president

On 12 October 2021, incumbent Governor-General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason was jointly
nominated by the prime minister and leader of the opposition as candidate for the first president of
Barbados,[32] and was subsequently elected on 20 October.[33] Mason will take office on 30 November
2021.[30]

See also
Republicanism

References
1. "Meghan and Harry racism row 'may deepen schisms in Commonwealth' " (https://www.theg
uardian.com/world/2021/mar/10/meghan-and-harry-racism-row-may-deepen-schisms-in-co
mmonwealth). The Guardian. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
2. "Barbados Labour Party – news" (http://blp.org.bb/news/34). 11 February 2005.
3. Norman 'Gus' Thomas. "Barbados to vote on move to republic" (https://web.archive.org/web/
20071228082001/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/02/07/vote.shtml). Caribbean Net
News. Archived from the original (http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/02/07/vote.shtml)
on 28 December 2007.
4. "Referendum Bill" (http://barbadosparliament.com/htmlarea/uploaded/File/referendum%20bi
ll.pdf) (PDF). Parliament of Barbados. 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
 5. "Constitution of Barbados, Section 49 – Altering the Constitution" (http://www.barbados.gov.
bb/bdsconst_chpt5_pt2.htm#section49). Government of Barbados. Retrieved 29 January
2009.
6. "Quote of the week | Maclean's | FEBRUARY 7 2005" (http://archive.macleans.ca/article/200
5/2/7/quote-of-the-week). Maclean's | The Complete Archive.
7. "SKNVibes | Barbados moving towards becoming a republic by year end" (https://www.sknvi
bes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/522). www.sknvibes.com.
8. Oziewicz, Estanislao (February 2005). "Barbadian PM seeks royal split" (https://www.theglo
beandmail.com/news/world/barbadian-pm-seeks-royal-split/article18214391/). The Globe
and Mail.
9. "Royal Bajans still?" (https://www.nationnews.com/2012/02/19/royal-bajans-still/). 19
February 2012.
10. "Barbados breakaway over 'King Harry' " (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/cent
ralamericaandthecaribbean/barbados/1482051/Barbados-breakaway-over-King-Harry.html).
www.telegraph.co.uk.
11. S., D. (26 November 2007). "Still a voice" (https://web.archive.org/web/20071128160635/htt
p://www.nationnews.com/story/314949145377053.php). Nation Newspaper. Archived from
the original (http://www.nationnews.com/story/314949145377053.php) on 28 November
2007. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
12. Staff writer (26 November 2007). "Referendum on Republic to be bundled with election" (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20071128050750/http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/13417/10/).
Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original (http://www.cbc.bb/content/v
iew/13417/10/) on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
13. Gollop, Chris. "VOTE OFF" (https://web.archive.org/web/20071228045102/http://www.nation
news.com/story/317791120649409.php). Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original (htt
p://www.nationnews.com/story/317791120649409.php) on 28 December 2007. Retrieved
23 June 2010.
14. "PM says Barbados moving towards Republic" (https://web.archive.org/web/201503240534
26/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/PM-says-Barbados-moving-towards-Republi
c). Jamaica Observer. 23 March 2015. Archived from the original (http://www.jamaicaobserv
er.com/latestnews/PM-says-Barbados-moving-towards-Republic) on 24 March 2015.
Retrieved 23 March 2015.
15. "Barbados plans to replace Queen with ceremonial president" (https://www.theguardian.co
m/world/2015/mar/23/barbados-plans-to-replace-queen-with-ceremonial-president). The
Guardian. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
16. "Barbados to remove Queen Elizabeth II as titular head of state" (https://www.theglobeandm
ail.com/news/world/barbados-plans-to-remove-queen-elizabeth-ii-as-titular-head-of-state/arti
cle23584875/). Globe and Mail. Associated Press. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March
2015.
17. "Barbados to remove Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and declare republic" (https://www.
independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/barbados-republic-queen-elizabeth-head-state-b45
0871.html). The Independent. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
18. "Barbados revives plan to remove Queen as head of state and become a republic" (https://w
ww.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/16/barbados-revives-plan-to-remove-queen-as-head-of
-state-and-become-a-republic). The Guardian. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September
2020.
19. "EDITORIAL: THE NEED FOR REFORM" (https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/columns/edi
torial-need-reform-0). The Barbados Advocate. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 16 September
2020.
20. Taylor, Rebecca (16 September 2020). "Queen responds after Barbados removes her as
head of state – 'it's a matter for the people' " (https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/queen-says-r
emoving-head-of-state-decision-for-people-barbados-101702934.html). Yahoo News UK.
Retrieved 16 September 2020.
21. Team, Caribbean Lifestyle Editorial (15 September 2020). "Barbados to become an
Independent Republic in 2021" (https://caribbeanlifestyle.com/barbados-to-become-republic
-by-2021/). Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
22. Speare-Cole, Rebecca (16 September 2020). "Barbados to remove Queen as head of state
by November 2021" (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/barbados-queen-head-of-state-
removal-a4548381.html). Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
23. "Barbados to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state" (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-la
tin-america-54174794). BBC News. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
24. "Call for citizens to propose constitutional changes to Republic Committee" (https://www.bar
badostoday.bb/2021/06/03/call-for-citizens-to-propose-constitutional-changes-to-republic-co
mmittee/). Local News. Barbados Today News. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
"Barbadians at home and throughout the Diaspora are being invited to submit their
suggestions for the new constitution as the island prepares to assume republican status.
Persons are asked to submit their suggestions in written, audio, and/or video formats in
keeping with the committee's mandate to engage members of the public in this historic
transition effort. Submissions, including audio and video clips under 10 minutes, can be
emailed to republicconsultations@barbados.gov.bb or posted to The Republican Status
Transition Advisory Committee, Cabinet Office, Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St.
Michael."
25. "Barbados to become a parliamentary republic by November 30" (https://barbados.loopnew
s.com/content/barbados-become-parliamentary-republic-november-30). Loop News. 27 July
2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
26. "Do it the democratic way" (https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/08/29/btcolumn-do-it-the-democra
tic-way/). Barbados Today. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
27. "DLP President calls for a referendum" (https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/dlp-presid
ent-calls-referendum). Barbados Advocate. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
28. "Constitution (Amendment) (No. ) Bill, 2021" (https://www.barbadosparliament.com/bills/deta
ils/581). Parliament of Barbados. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
29. "Constitution (Amendment) (No. ) Bill, 2021" (https://web.archive.org/web/20210921212243/
https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/bill_resolution/068a734cb4b6fe4dcf0f60438d
58a95c.pdf) (PDF). Parliament of Barbados. 20 September 2021. Archived from the original
(https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/bill_resolution/068a734cb4b6fe4dcf0f60438
d58a95c.pdf) (PDF) on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
30. "In Barbados, parliament votes to amend constitution, paving the way to republican status"
(http://constitutionnet.org/news/barbados-parliament-votes-amend-constitution-paving-way-r
epublican-status#:~:text=republican%20status%20%7C%20ConstitutionNet-,In%20Barbado
s%2C%20parliament%20votes%20to%20amend%20constitution%2C%20paving,the%20w
ay%20to%20republican%20status&text=Parliament%20voted%20by%20a%2025,into%20fo
rce%20by%20November%2030). ConstitutionNet. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 9 October
2021.
31. "Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2 ) Bill, 2021" (https://www.barbadosparliament.com/bills/de
tails/581). Barbados Parliament Bills Archive. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
32. "Letter to the Speaker RE Nomination of Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason as 1st
President of Barbados" (https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/sittings/attachments/
11c0bb650b1c768dbdbee5a0208f6256.pdf) (PDF). Parliament of Barbados. 12 October
2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
33. "Barbados just appointed its first president as it becomes a republic" (https://www.thenationa
l.scot/news/19661398.barbados-just-appointed-first-president-becomes-republic/). The
National.

Further reading
Committee to manage transition to Republic (https://www.nationnews.com/2021/05/22/comm
ittee-manage-transition-republic/) 22 May 2021
Republican Status Transition Advisory Committee formed (https://www.nationnews.com/202
1/05/24/republican-status-transition-advisory-committee-formed/) 24 May 2021

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