EDITORIAL
Over several years there has been talk about whether or not Barbados should change its system of government. The bone of contention is whether we should retain the Westminster system inherited from our time as a British colony, or whether the time has come to do away with that as some in the region already have, and develop a parliamentary republic.
We well remember that soon after the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), then under the leadership of economist Owen Arthur won the 2003 general election, the idea was put forward and there was even talk of there being a referendum to allow the people to decide if they wanted to replace Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State and have a Barbadian President. That did not come to fruition and in 2008 the BLP was defeated at the polls. A decade after Mr. Arthur raised the issue, former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart again broached the topic, suggesting that such a change was high on the agenda of his Government as the country moved towards 50 years of independence.
He made a valid point, suggesting that such a move was necessary for the country to complete its political maturity. His argument was that having gained independence from England and adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice as this country’s final court of appeal, the next move would be a transition from a monarchical to a republican system of government. He bolstered the point noting that staying attached to the monarchy, meant that despite our break from England, those charged with the responsibility of managing the affairs of government, including ministers and senators, when taking the oath, had to swear to be loyal to Her Majesty the Queen, her heirs and successors. Many no doubt remember that this reality did not sit well with at least one person at the swearing in last year – a reminder that not everyone agrees with us remaining in a monarchical system.
Some argue it is not necessary to change, others say the time had long come to sever the final strand of the proverbial umbilical cord. It is to be seen now if the current BLP Government, led by Mia Amor Mottley, will move to give life to this position that is endorsed by persons across the political divide.
But, even if we do not move in that direction, it is clear that there needs to be change made to the way in which we go about government and governance in Barbados. In that respect, another question that has to be asked and answered, is whether putting a fixed date for general elections on our calendars is something that needs to be considered.
The issue came to the fore in the last two elections and perhaps there is scope for such a measure to be implemented so as not to leave the decision to a single person. But, being the first among equals, the Prime Minister would still be able to call an early election date, but they would also be mandated to call elections by a specific date following the last one.
On another note, perhaps we should also consider amending who is allowed to nominate senators. Following the last elections, this country found itself in a position never encountered or contemplated before – one party won all 30 seats. A case was put for the political party that received the second highest number of votes, even though they do not gain seats, to be allowed to appoint senators to the Upper House and to be part of the decision making. For many the jury is still out on this one given the overwhelming majority with which the current government won. But it is still perhaps food for thought, as such a move could be help to promote a higher level of democracy in this country.