History & Government

HISTORY: The British first occupied Barbados in 1627 and the country remained a colony until 1961, when internal autonomy was achieved. Full independence was granted in 1966. Barbados is part of the British Commonwealth. Politics on the island have since been dominated by the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the rival Democratic Labour Party (DLP) which began life after a split in the BLP. The two parties have alternated between government and opposition since independence. The DLP took office in May 1986, with a substantial majority in the House of Assembly: Erskine Sandiford became Prime Minister in June 1987 and was returned to power at the January 1991 polls. At the most recent election, however, held in September 1994, the BLP was decisively returned to power with Owen Arthur as the new premier. Barbados is a member of CARICOM (the Caribbean Common Market) and the US-backed Regional Security System, set up following the American invasion of Grenada. The then Government of Barbados backed the invasion, committing some of its own troops to the occupying force. The Government is also one of the main proponents of further regional integration, which it believes to be more important than the trade and political frictions which are presently inhibiting such a development.

GOVERNMENT: The British monarch has executive power and is represented in Barbados by a Governor-General (currently Sir Clifford Husbands) who is advised by the Cabinet and appoints the Prime Minister. The legislature comprises the Governor-General, a 21-member Senate and the 28-strong House of Assembly, members of which are elected by universal adult suffrage for terms of up to five years.