Barbados Breaks Free From Its Colonial Past
Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, wrote the speech declaring that Barbados would become a republic instead of remaining a constitutional monarchy (Wikimedia Commons)
Barbados officially announced that it will remove Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the symbolic Head of State in order for Barbados to become a republic under the British Commonwealth rather than a constitutional monarchy. Barbadian Governor General Dame Sandra Mason announced this plan during the annual Throne Speech, the official outline for the upcoming parliamentary year, but her surprising words were written by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
This marks the first time since 1992 that a country under the Commonwealth has officially removed the Queen as the head of state, the last country to do so being Mauritius. After officially becoming a republic, Barbados will join the ranks of other countries including Guyana, Tobago, and Domicana.
The push for Barbados to officially become a republic began in the 1970s, yet lacked enough political momentum to become a reality. A commission was established in 1979 to determine whether a parliamentary republic was feasible, yet there was not enough public support to change to a republic.
A change in support occurred in 1996, when a Constitutional Review Commission was appointed to review Barbados’ Constitution, and the committee gave an official recommendation to move to a parliamentary republic. While a referendum concerning the issue was introduced in 2000, the bill never reached fruition due to the dissolution of Parliament.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Barbadian government wants to fully cut ties with colonialism, instead celebrating the economic and social success the country has enjoyed since gaining independence in 1966. Mason declared, “Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state… this is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.”
Barbados’s fight for a republic may pave the way for other countries under the Commonwealth to follow suit, specifically Jamaica, as its government has mentioned interest in becoming a republic government. However, the Queen is designated as the symbolic head of state in 15 other countries.
The United Kingdom is not particularly angered by Barbados’s decision to break free from the Queen’s symbolic position. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace commented, “This is a matter for the government and people of Barbados.” The Barbadian government's plan to convert itself a republic is predicted to become official by the end of 2021, marking the 55th anniversary of Barbadian independence.