Politics

The politics of Barbados takes place in the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, of a pluriform multi-party system. The Executive power is exercised by the government while the Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the Parliament. The political system is dominated by two main parties, the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party. The Judiciary of Barbados is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.

After years of peaceful and democratic progress, Barbados became an independent state maintaining full diplomatic ties to the Commonwealth of Nations on November 30, 1966. The overall constitutional safeguards for nationals of Barbados include: freedom of speech, press, worship, movement and association.

Executive Branch

Under the constitution, Barbados is a parliamentary democracy modelled on the British system. The country's ceremonial head of state is its non-resident monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, who is also Queen of the United Kingdom but uses the title "Queen of Barbados" when she visits the country. She is represented in Barbados by a local Governor-General who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet.

Since 1966, the position of the monarchy in the Barbadian political hierarchy has been strictly ceremonial. The present government (led by Owen Arthur) proposes that Barbados become a republic, replacing the office of Governor-General with a ceremonial president. The issue is hotly debated in Barbados as the country has been governmentally autonomous for decades. Whilst some see it as an inevitable and desirable step towards national development, others believe that it is highly unnecessary and yet another attempt by the current administration to diminish the achievements of others.

Legislative Branch

The bicameral Parliament of Barbados consists of the House of Assembly and the Senate. The 30 members of the House are elected by universal suffrage to five-year terms. Elections may be called at any time the government wishes to seek a new mandate or if the government suffers a vote of no-confidence in Parliament. The Senate's 21 members are appointed by the governor general: 12 with the advice of the prime minister, 2 with the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 7 at the governor general's discretion.

Judicial Branch

Barbados has an independent judiciary composed of magistrate courts, which are statutorily authorised, and a Supreme Court, which is constitutionally mandated. The Supreme Court consists of the high court and the court of appeal, each with four judges. The Chief Justice serves on both the high court and the court of appeal. The court of last resort is the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, whose decisions are binding on all parties. Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition. Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Service).

International Participation

Barbados is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).