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Barbados - Politics

The two main political parties -- the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) -- are both moderate and have no major ideological differences; electoral contests and political disputes often have personal overtones. Both parties are fundamentally committed to democracy, the rule of law and a free-market economy as the basis of political stability, social and economic prosperity. The major political problems facing Barbados today are in promoting economic growth: creating jobs, encouraging agricultural diversification, attracting foreign investment, and promoting tourism.

Trade unions enjoy a strong voice in the labor and economic affairs of the country through their representation in Barbados’ Social Partnership, a tri-partite consultative mechanism. Approximately 36 percent of the labor force belongs to trade unions, but this small percentage belies the power and importance of unions in Barbados; all key sectors are unionized, with all private and public employees in agriculture, tourism, the airport and seaport belonging to a single union confederation.

The first elections based on universal adult suffrage took place in 1951. system but have adapted to suit local circumstances. Since 1955, Barbados has had two major political parties - the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party. Until 2003, each party had served two terms in office alternately.

Sir Henry Forde’s Constitutional Commission’s much-delayed report was published in December 1998. Its main proposals were to introduce more checks and balances on the government, to create the institutional structures to ensure politicians behave with greater probity, and to replace the British monarch as the head of state by a ceremonial President.

In the general election of January 1999, the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) had a strong endorsement of their management of the economy and a mandate for their proposals for constitutional change. They gained 26 seats, with 65 per cent of the votes, while the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) took only two. Owen Arthur began his second term of office as Prime Minister.

During 1999 and 2000 the new government pressed on with the proposed changes to the constitution, adding further issues to the agenda for public debate, for example limiting the number of terms a Prime Minister may serve, equal rights for women, and the independence of the judiciary. However, the debate proceeded slowly.

In 2001, David Thompson, DLP leader in the 1994 and 1999 general elections, was succeeded by Clyde Mascoll.

Arthur and the BLP were once again given a strong endorsement in the May 2003 elections, though with 23 seats to the DLP’s seven, not as strong as in 1999. The BLP still had the two-thirds majority needed to enact constitutional amendments, although constitutional issues, such as replacing the British monarch as the head of state with a ceremonial President, had not been prominent in the election campaign. But in 2005 the UK Privy Council was replaced as the final court of appeal by the Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Court of Justice.

Thompson returned to head the DLP in 2006 following the defection of Mascoll to the BLP. The DLP administration was returned to power on January 15, 2008. In January 15, 2008 parliamentary elections voters gave a majority to the DLP, led by David Thompson. This election ended 14 years of rule by the BLP. Prime Minister Thompson pledged to focus on domestic issues, particularly the cost of living, healthcare, and crime. Prime Minister Thompson died on 23 October 2010 and was succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. Mara Thompson, wife of the former prime minister, won the election held January 22, 2011 to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant by her husband’s death.

In general elections held 21 February 2013, the DLP returned to power for a second term, winning 16 of the 30 seats in the parliament’s House of Assembly, and DLP leader Freundel Stuart retained his post as prime minister. After a voter took a picture of his ballot with a cell phone, authorities investigated allegations of small-scale vote buying by supporters of both parties but did not levy any charges. Observers considered the vote in accordance with international standards.

The electoral campaign is the raison d’être of the political party. These organisations are not intended to be social groupings although such socialisation may be an inevitable part of those with an identity of political views. But the primary aim of the political party is to win the reins of office and thus to become the governing administration of a jurisdiction. Since there is one way only to do so constitutionally in a democratic polity that adheres to the rule of law, the unrelenting objective of the political party is to endear itself to the electorate so that its candidates win its approval in sufficient numbers in a majority of constituencies in the general election it contests.

While elections in Barbados are generally perceived to be free and for the most part fair, and cannot be accused of being marked by some of the worst forms of election sabotaging; nonetheless, there are serious concerns which have been raised about the quality and credibility of the electoral environment.