Parliament of Barbados

Last updated

Parliament of Barbados
Coat of arms of Barbados (3).svg
Type
Type
HousesSenate
House of Assembly
Leadership
Reginald Farley, Labour
since 2020
Arthur Holder, Labour
since 5 June 2018
Mia Mottley, Labour
since 25 May 2018
Ralph Thorne
since 12 February 2024
Structure
SeatsSenate: 21
House of Assembly: 30
Barbados Senate 2022.svg
Senate political groups
Government
  •   BLP (12)

Opposition

Barbados house of assembly 2024.svg
House of Assembly political groups
Government

Opposition

Elections
Appointment by the President
First-past-the-post
Last House of Assembly election
19 January 2022
Meeting place
Bridgetown barbados parliament building.jpg
Bridgetown, Barbados

The Parliament of Barbados is the national legislature of Barbados. It is accorded legislative supremacy by Chapter V of the Constitution of Barbados. [1] The Parliament is bicameral in composition [2] and is formally made up of two houses, an appointed Senate (Upper house) and an elected House of Assembly (Lower house), as well as the President of Barbados who is indirectly elected by both. [1] [3] Both houses sit in separate chambers in the Parliament Buildings (commonly known as "The Public Buildings"), in the national capital Bridgetown in Saint Michael.

Contents

The Senate is made up of twenty-one Senators, [4] while the House consists of thirty Members of Parliament (MPs) in addition to the Honourable Speaker of the House. Members to serve in the Cabinet of Barbados may be chosen by the Prime Minister from either the House of Assembly or Senate, [5] (the Prime Minister alone who must be chosen by the President must come from the House of Assembly.) [6]

In theory, supreme legislative power is vested in all three components equally; in practice during modern times, real power is vested in the House of Assembly, as the President generally acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the powers of the Senate have been limited. [7]

The Parliament of Barbados is originally patterned after the Parliament of England, [8] so the structure, functions, and procedures of the parliament are based on the Westminster system of government.

Sittings of both House and Senate are usually held once per month, with other meetings called as necessary. The House sits on Tuesdays beginning at 10:30am, and are broadcast live on the local radio station, Quality 100.7 FM. Sittings of the Senate take place on Wednesdays.

As of February 2020 the government has been renting various private buildings around Barbados, including the Worthing Corporate Centre [9] [10] and Conference Centre (on 15 Sep 2020 for the State Opening of Parliament) [11] [12] to host Parliament without any firm return date mentioned as to when it might return to using the capital site.

History

Established on 26 June 1639. [13] The Parliament of Barbados is the third oldest legislature in the Americas (behind the Virginia General Assembly and Bermuda House of Assembly), and is among the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations. [14]

The genesis of a legislature in Barbados was introduced by Governor Henry Hawley, creating a structure of governance to Barbados, itself patterned after the Parliament of England). The then unicameral Parliament originally was tasked with establishing a system of laws and was completely under the domination of the island's planter-class. The first meeting of the Barbados Assembly was held in 1639.

The initial location known as the "Sessions House" which was situated in the Marlhill, which is now known as Spry Street. Built by Captain Henry Hawley, the building may have originally accommodated his Courts of Law. (On 25 June 1989, a monument was unveiled to commemorate the site outside of the current Central Bank.)

By 1653, the Assembly moved to the State House then located in Bridgetown area known as Cheapside (then encompassing Broad Street). In 1668 the State House was destroyed by a great fire started by an explosion of the Bridgetown military magazine. Over the next century, the colony's elected officials assembled at various locations all over Bridgetown, which were rented taverns and homes of local merchants and landlords. The Roebuck Tavern located on Roebuck Street was a favourite assembly point and was also owned by Henry Hawley. The movement of the Assembly among the various taverns in the town eventually presented an irony for the thriving colony. Governor Atkins, who was attending a meeting at Gwynn's Tavern in 1674 commented, "I must confess I am a little astonished to see so honourable an Assembly to meet in a place so considerable as the island is, and have no house to receive us but a public tavern" (TOB 71). For many years the Barbados Assembly continued to meet in various places. In 1724 an Act was passed providing for a building for the Council and Assembly, Law Courts and gaol. The building located on Coleridge Street was completed in 1731–1732, yet the House of Assembly still often met at times at different private houses and taverns. The current Parliament Buildings were built in the neo-Gothic style in the early 1870s on the site of what was known as the "New Burnt District", which was part of a 10-acre area in the town that was destroyed by the great fire in 1860.

In 1968 the Barbados Parliament was presented two complete libraries of Parliamentary and constitutional works of reference from the British House of Commons to celebrate political Independence with membership to the Commonwealth. [15] [16]

The Parliament of Barbados in its current form was first introduced following the 1961 general elections. In 1963 the colonial era Legislative Council was disestablished. In its place came the Senate in 1964 (due to Barbados' status as a colony of Great Britain). As the years went by, governance in Barbados continued to change in structure until both of the present chambers assumed their present numbers.

Legislative functions

Parliament is empowered by Article 35(l) of the Constitution to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of Barbados. [17] The Constitution also empowers Parliament to:

Following amendments to the Constitution that initiated a transition to a republican form of government in 2021, Parliament is also responsible for electing the country's President.

Enactment clause

"BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Assembly of Barbados and by the authority of the same as follows:-" [20]

"ENACTED by the Parliament of Barbados as follows:-" [21]

Members in Parliament

As of the 16 February 2024, the Barbados Labour Party holds 29 seats in the House of the Assembly, with the rival Democratic Labour Party holding 1 seat. In the senate, the BLP holds 12 seats with the DLP holding 2 seats and independents holding 7 seats. [22] [23]

Election date

The next general election in Barbados is expected to be held by 2027 the latest. According to the Constitution of Barbados elections can take place no longer than every five years from the first sitting of Parliament. [24] The last general election was held on 19 January 2022.

The Constitution of Barbados also establishes that at any time before this date the Government in power may seek a new mandate from the electorate and may ask for the current sitting of Parliament be dissolved by the President and allow for the announcement of a new date for General elections. [24] The President of Barbados may also announce a new date of General elections should the Prime Minister in power not survive a vote of no confidence motion.

International affiliation(s)

Official Gazette / Hansard

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Constitution, Chapter V, Part 1; Section 35
  2. "Legislative Chambers: Unicameral or Bicameral?". Democratic Governance. United Nations Development Programme. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  3. Parliament of Barbados
  4. ConstitutionChapter V; Section 35
  5. Constitution, Chapter VI, Part 3; Section 65(2)
  6. Constitution, Chapter VI, Part 2; Section 65(1)
  7. "Queen in Parliament". The Monarchy Today: Queen and State. The Barbadian Monarchy . Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  8. Gragg, Larry Dale (2003). Englishmen transplanted: the English colonization of Barbados, 1627–1660. Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-925389-7 . Retrieved 6 February 2011. The English settlers on Barbados consciously sought to replicate the ways of their homeland, to make their Caribbean colony truly English.
  9. "Estimates get underway at new home of Parliament". 24 February 2020.
  10. "Parliament temporarily relocated". 22 February 2020.
  11. "Splendid ceremony for historic opening of second session of Parliament". 16 September 2020.
  12. "Historic opening of Parliament". 15 September 2020.
  13. Greetings to (British) House of Commons to commemorate the Ter-centenary of the House of Assembly of Barbados, Sir Harold Austin, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados. British Hansard
  14. Cumberbatch, Jeff (5 May 2010). "Editorial got it right, Mr. Simmons". The Barbados Advocate . Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2011. Barbados' Parliament, which postdates that of Britain and Bermuda could not then be the third oldest. Perhaps Barbados might take a leaf from Bermuda's book and describe our Parliament not as the third oldest in the world or the third oldest in the Commonwealth, but truthfully as "the oldest continuous Parliament of an independent Commonwealth country outside the British Isles".
  15. "BARBADOS (GIFT OF a PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY) (Hansard, 21 May 1968)".
  16. "BARBADOS (GIFT OF A PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY) (Hansard, 23 October 1968)". api.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018.
  17. Constitution of Barbados Section 48(1)
  18. Section 48(2)(3)
  19. Section 49(1)
  20. 1969 Companies Act., The Official Gazette of the Government of Barbados
  21. http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/LAWLIBRARY/getattachment/8e11bdcc-677d-429b-9af5-693433e950b7/MINORS-ACT.aspx , University of the West Indies
  22. Clark, Joanne (13 February 2024). "Ralph Thorne takes the helm as Opposition Leader in Barbados". CNW Network. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  23. Desk, Nationnews (16 February 2024). "Ralph Thorne returns to DLP". nationnews.com. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  24. 1 2 Constitution: Section 61 (3): "Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), Parliament, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date of its first sitting after any dissolution and shall then stand dissolved. (4) At any time when Barbados is at war, Parliament may extend the period of five years specified in subsection (3) for not more than twelve months at a time:"
  25. Barbados Parliament, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA
  26. Caribbean Group, ParlAmericas
  27. Pink Parliament, on Facebook

About

Press coverage

Other

13°05′49.15″N59°36′50.11″W / 13.0969861°N 59.6139194°W / 13.0969861; -59.6139194

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Barbados</span> National government

The Government of Barbados (GoB), is a unitary parliamentary republic, where the President of Barbados is the head of state and the Prime Minister of Barbados is the head of government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Barbados</span>

The politics of Barbados function within a framework of a parliamentary republic with strong democratic traditions; constitutional safeguards for nationals of Barbados include: freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Bermuda</span>

Bermuda is the oldest British Overseas Territory, and the oldest self-governing British Overseas Territory, and has a great degree of internal autonomy through authority and roles of governance delegated to it by the national Government. Its parliament held its first session in 1620, making it the third-oldest continuous parliament in the world. As part of the British realm, King Charles III is head of state and is represented in Bermuda by a Governor, whom he appoints on the advice of the British Government. The Governor has special responsibilities in four areas: external affairs, defence, internal security, and policing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Australia</span> Legislative branch of Australian government

The Parliament of Australia is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The combination of two elected chambers, in which the members of the Senate represent the states and territories while the members of the House represent electoral divisions according to population, is modelled on the United States Congress. Through both chambers, however, there is a fused executive, drawn from the Westminster system.

In the Parliament of Australia, a casual vacancy arises when a member of either the Senate or the House of Representatives:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senate of Pakistan</span> Upper house of the Parliament of Pakistan

The Senate of Pakistan or Aiwān-e-Bālā Pākistān, constitutionally the House of the Federation, is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. As of 2023, It has a maximum membership of 100, of which 92 are elected by the provincial legislatures using single transferable vote. Four represent the Federal Capital and another four are representing former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, until membership expiration in 2024. Members sit for terms lasting six years, with half of the house up for election every three years. Unlike the National Assembly, the Senate is a continuing chamber and hence not subject to dissolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Pakistan</span> Bicameral national legislature of Pakistan

The Parliament of Pakistan is the supreme legislative body of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is a bicameral federal legislature, composed of the President of Pakistan and two houses: the Senate and the National Assembly. The president, as head of the legislature, has the power to summon or prorogue either house of the Parliament. The president can dissolve the National Assembly, only on the Prime Minister's advice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Victoria</span> Bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Victoria

The Parliament of Victoria is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Victoria that follows a Westminster-derived parliamentary system. It consists of the King, represented by the Governor of Victoria, the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. It has a fused executive drawn from members of both chambers. The parliament meets at Parliament House in the state capital Melbourne. The current Parliament was elected on 26 November 2022, sworn in on 20 December 2022 and is the 60th parliament in Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senate of Barbados</span> Upper house of the Parliament of Barbados

The Senate of Barbados is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Barbados. The Senate is accorded legitimacy by Chapter V of the Constitution of Barbados. It is the smaller of the two chambers. The Senate was established in 1964 to replace a prior body known as the Legislative Council. Besides creating and reviewing Barbadian legislation, the Senate generally reviews approved legislation originating from the House of Assembly. One main constraint on the Senate is that it cannot author monetary or budget-related bills. Most of the non-political appointees to the Senate have been selected by the Governor-General from civil society organisations, labour collectives and public associations in Barbados.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Zimbabwe</span> Bicameral legislature of Zimbabwe

The Parliament of Zimbabwe is the bicameral legislature of Zimbabwe composed of the Senate and the National Assembly. The Senate is the upper house, and consists of 80 members, 60 of whom are elected by proportional representation from ten six-member constituencies corresponding to the country's provinces. Of the remaining 20 seats, 18 are reserved for chiefs, and two for people with disabilities. The National Assembly is the lower house, and consists of 280 members. Of these, 210 are elected from single-member constituencies. The remaining 70 seats are reserved women's and youth quotas: 60 for women; 10 for youth. These are elected by proportional representation from ten six-member and one-member constituencies respectively, corresponding to the country's provinces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Assembly of Barbados</span>

The House of Assembly of Barbados is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Barbados. It has 30 Members of Parliament (MPs), who are directly elected in single member constituencies using the simple-majority system for a term of five years. The House of Assembly sits roughly 40–45 days a year and is presided over by a Speaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of the Bahamas</span> Bicameral legislature of The Bahamas

The Parliament of The Bahamas is the bicameral national parliament of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The parliament is formally made up of the sovereign, an appointed Senate, and an elected House of Assembly. It currently sits at the Bahamian Parliament Building in Nassau, the national capital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Assembly of Bermuda</span> Lower House of the Parliament of Bermuda

The House of Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. The house has 36 Members of Parliament (MPs), elected for a term of five years in single seat constituencies using first-past-the-post voting. Bermuda now has universal voting with a voting age of 18 years. Voting is non-compulsory. The presiding officer of the House is called the Speaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Africa Act 1909</span> United Kingdom legislation

The South Africa Act 1909 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that created the Union of South Africa out of the former Cape, Natal, Orange River, and Transvaal colonies. The Act also allowed for potential admission of Rhodesia into the Union, a proposal rejected by Rhodesian colonists in a 1922 referendum. The draft proposal was supported by the four colonial parliaments, but was opposed by Cape Colony premier W. P. Schreiner, who raised concerns that it would strip rights from non-white South Africans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monarchy of Barbados</span> Constitutional monarchy as a system of government in Barbados from 1966 to 2021

The monarchy of Barbados was a system of government in which a hereditary monarch was the sovereign and head of state of Barbados from 1966 to 2021. Barbados shared the sovereign with the other Commonwealth realms, with the country's monarchy being separate and legally distinct. The monarch's operational and ceremonial duties were mostly delegated to her representative, the governor-general of Barbados.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly (Thailand)</span> Bicameral national legislature of Thailand

The National Assembly of Thailand is the bicameral legislative branch of the government of Thailand. It convenes in the Sappaya-Sapasathan, Dusit District, Bangkok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Barbadian general election</span> Election in Barbados

General elections were held in Barbados on 21 February 2013. They were the first post-independence elections where the election date was announced five years after the last general election. The ruling Democratic Labour Party was re-elected with a reduced majority, winning 16 of the 30 seats in the House of Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of Barbados</span> Supreme law of Barbados

The Constitution of Barbados is the supreme law under which Barbados is governed. The Constitution provides a legal establishment of the Government of Barbados, as well as legal rights and responsibilities of the public and various other government officers. The Constitution which came into force in 1966 was amended in 1974, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The 1966 document succeeds several other documents concerning administration of Barbados. One of them, the Barbados Charter, is discussed in the present Constitution's Preamble. Prior statutes were created for the administration of Barbados as a colony. As a former English and later British colony, the Constitution is similar to those of other former Commonwealth realms, yet distinctly different in the spirit of the Statute of Westminster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament Buildings (Barbados)</span> Government complex in Bridgetown, Barbados

The Parliament Buildings, is the seat of the Parliament of Barbados. Built between 1870 and 1874, the buildings have been the meeting place for both chambers of Parliament since 16 June 1874, and a former site of Colonial administration of Barbados. It consists of two buildings in the neo-Gothic architectural style, and are reminiscent of the Victorian era of Great Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Barbadian general election</span>

General elections were held in Barbados on 19 January 2022 to elect the 30 members of the House of Assembly. The ruling Barbados Labour Party won all 30 seats for the second consecutive election.