Barbados Moves Forward with Plans to Become a Republic

By November 30, which is the 55th anniversary of the country’s independence, Barbados plans to have in place all they need to become a Republic. Reiterating the sanctity of the name “Barbados,” Prime Minister Mottley had the following to say. 

“There is no change to the flag. No change to the name of Independence Day; there is no change to the name of Barbados. Barbados is Barbados. We’re not the Commonwealth of Barbados; we’re not the Republic of Barbados; Barbados is Barbados. We are also not changing our pledge.”  

There are several plans in the works for structural changes to benefit the republic as they work towards their own Independence Day. 

1. Dame Sandra Mason (Barbados Governor-General) would assume the role of Head of State. Then she would be subjected to a vote by the Members of Parliament in the House of Assembly and the Senate. 
2. A new Constitution will be executed after a meticulous chapter by chapter review. 
3. Consultations will begin with the Republican Status Transition Advisory Committee for promises and pledges. 

Furthermore, The Prime Minister outlined that Government is seeking to determine through a Charter. 

“We feel that if we are going to have a new Constitution eventually that is going to reflect who we are in the third decade of the 21st century, that should be first and foremost guided by the kind of person that we want to be and the kind of people. Not legal language; not justiciable language, but a Charter, a set of pledges and promises as Bajans to each other, no more than two or three pages.” 

Plans to proceed with a move from the past and rule by the Queen are welcomed by the people of Barbados. And although COVID-19 has made this journey a bit tough, Prime Minister Mia Mottley is determined to get the job done for the people of Barbados. When all is said and done, Barbados will become a “Commonwealth” and remain a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. This arrangement would be similar to those paths already forged by Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. 

CITED: thecaribbeannewsnow.com, en.wikepedia.org, cforeignpolicy.com