The Prime Minister of Barbados (PM) acts as the head of the Barbados government. The Prime Minister is responsible for the administration of the government. The position of PM holds the most influential roles in the country.
Barbados Heads of Government and their terms of office:
Premier – Pre-Independence
– Incumbent – Tenure – Political Affiliation
— Sir Grantley Herbert Adams – February 1st, 1953 – April 17th, 1958 – BLP
— Hugh Gordon Cummins – April 17th, 1958 – December 8th, 1961 – BLP
— Errol Barrow – December 8th, 1961 – November 30th, 1966 – DLP
– Prime Minister – Elected – Incumbent – Tenure – Political Affiliation
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Prime Ministers of Barbados
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Errol Barrow – November 30th, 1966 – September 8th, 1976 – DLP
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John Tom Adams – September 8th, 1976 – March 11th, 1985 – BLP
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Bernard St. John – March 11th, 1985 – May 29th, 1986 – BLP
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Errol Barrow – May 29th, 1986 – June 1st, 1987 – DLP
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Erskine Sandiford – June 1st, 1987 – September 7th, 1994 – DLP
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Owen Arthur – September 7th, 1994 – January 16th, 2008 – BLP
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David Thompson – January 16th, 2008 – October 23rd, 2010 – DLP
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Freundel Jerome Stuart, Incumbent – October 23rd, 2010 – May 25th, 2018
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Mia Amor Mottley (Elect) – May 25th, 2018 – Incumbent – BLP
Ilaro Court is the official residence of the Prime Ministers of Barbados. This historic coral-limestone mansion is located at Two Mile Hill, St. Michael. Ilaro Court is open to the public during the Barbados National Trust’s annual “Open House Tours.” You can learn more about the people of Barbados.
Barbados has one of the oldest Westminster-style parliaments in the western hemisphere. The governor and a council’s office were established in 1627, with the House of Assembly constituted in 1639 (then known as the House of Burgesses). Upon Independence, the panel was replaced with a Senate.
The island recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch or ‘Chief of State.’ The monarch’s internal representation is filled by the Governor-General (GG). Before Independence, the post of Governor-General was titled ‘Governor.’
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led Barbados into Independence from the UK in 1966 after achieving full self-governance in 1961. The Constitution was ratified on November 30th, 1966.
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led Barbados into Independence from the UK in 1966 after achieving full self-governance in 1961. The Constitution was ratified on November 30th, 1966.
Before Barbados’ Independence, the title for this post was known as ‘Premier.” Following Independence and adopting a representative democratic government system, the position was referred to as Prime Minister.
Barbados’ Government is organized as a representative democracy with the Parliament of Barbados acting as the country’s supreme legislative body. Bicameral in structure, Barbados’ parliament is divided into an appointed Senate and an elected House of Assembly led by the Prime Minister.
Today, Barbados is divided into 30 constituencies. During General Elections, representatives from each constituency are voted into the House of Assembly by their constituents for 5fiveyear terms. Eligibility to vote in elections is based on universal adult suffrage.
There are three major political parties:
— Barbados Labour Party (BLP)
— Democratic Labour Party (DLP)
— Peoples Empowerment Party (PEP)
The party winning the most seats becomes the lead party. The winning party (assuming he has also won a place in the Assembly) becomes the Prime Minister. Should the reigning party leader not gain entry into the House of Assembly during the legislative elections, the party must elect another to take his place as head of government.
It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to:
— Act as Head of Government and head of the executive branch for Barbados
— Select his government ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister
— Provide leadership and direction to the government with the support of the House of Assembly
— Provide advice to the monarch / Chief of State regarding the appointment of a Governor-General
— Provide input to the GG on the selection of 12 of the 21 senators comprising the Senate
— Although general elections must be held at least every five years, the Prime Minister advises the GG on when to dissolve the government
— Advises the monarch and Governor-General on how to execute their executive powers over government operations and foreign affairs.
By: Brett Callaghan
Last Updated on November 7th, 2020
Published: July 8th, 2018
Publisher: Totally Barbados
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