Government of Barbados


The Government of Barbados, is symbolically headed by the monarch, Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. She is represented in the country by the Governor-General, currently Dame Sandra Mason, G.C.M.G., K.A.
The country has a bicameral legislature and a political party system, based on universal adult suffrage and fair elections. The Senate has 21 members, appointed by the Governor-General on behalf of the monarch, 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and seven at the Governor-General's sole discretion. The House of Assembly has 30 members, all elected. Both houses debate all legislation. However, the House of Assembly may override Senate's rejection of money bills and other bills except bills amending the Constitution.
Officers of each house are elected from the members of the respective houses.
In keeping with the Westminster system of governance, Barbados has evolved into an independent parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy, meaning that all political power rests with the Parliament under a non-political monarch as head of state, which allows stability. Executive authority is vested in the monarch, who normally acts only on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, who are collectively responsible to Parliament. Barbadian law is rooted in English common law, and the Constitution of Barbados implemented in 1966, is the supreme law of the land.
Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual are set out in the Constitution and are protected by a strict legal code.
The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister, who must be an elected member of Parliament, and other ministers are appointed from either chamber by the Governor-General, as advised by the Prime Minister.
The Governor-General appoints as Leader of the Opposition the member of House of Assembly who commands the support of the largest number of members of that House in opposition to the ruling party's government.
The maximum duration of a Parliament is five years from the first sitting. There is a simultaneous dissolution of both Houses of Parliament by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.
There is an established non-political civil service. Also, there are separate constitutional commissions for the Judicial and Legal Service, the Public Service, and the Police Service.

History

The government has been chosen by elections since 1961 elections, when Barbados achieved full self-governance. Before then, the government was a Crown colony consisting of either colonial administration solely, or a mixture of colonial rule and a partially elected assembly, such as the Legislative Council.
Since independence the Democratic Labour Party held office 1966 to 1976, from 1986 to 1994, and from January 2008 to 2018. The Barbados Labour Party governed from 1976 to 1986, from September 1994 – 2008 and has formed the government from 2018–Present.

Executive branch

The Executive Branch of government conducts the ordinary business of government. These functions are called out by the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers. The prime minister chooses the ministers of government they wish to have in the cabinet but they are actually appointed by the governor general.
MinistryMinister ResponsiblePermanent Secretary
Prime Minister's OfficeHon. Mia Mottley, Q.C., M.P Ms. Alies Jordan
Ministry of the Public ServiceHon. Mia Mottley, Q.C., M.PMs. Gail Atkins
Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and InvestmentHon. Mia Mottley, Q.C., M.P
Hon. Ryan Straughn, M.P
Hon. Marsha Caddle, M.P
Ms. Nancy Headley
Mr. Alyson Forte
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign TradeSenator Dr. Jerome Walcott
Hon. Sandra Husbands, M.P
Ms. Simone Rudder
Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal AffairsHon. Dale Marshall, Q.C., M.PMs. Yvette Goddard
Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational TrainingHon. Santia Bradshaw, M.PMs. Betty Alleyne Headley
Ministry of Home AffairsHon. Edmund Hinkson, M.PMs. Deborah Payne
Ministry of Health and WellnessLt. Colonel Hon. Jeffery Bostic, M.PMs. Janet Philips
Ministry of Agriculture and Food SecurityHon. Indar Weir, M.PMr. Terry Bascombe
Ministry of Labour and Social Partnership RelationsHon. Colin Jordan, M.PDr. Karen Best
Ministry of Housing, Lands and Rural DevelopmentHon. George Payne, Q.C., M.P
Hon. Charles Griffith, M.P
Mr. Timothy Maynard
Ministry of International Business and IndustryHon. Ronald Toppin, M.PMs. June Chandler
Ministry of Tourism and International TransportHon. Kerrie Symmonds, M.PMs. Donna Cadogan
Ministry of Youth and Community EmpowermentHon. Adrian Forde, M.PMs. Yolande Howard
Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder AffairsHon. Cynthia Forde, J.P, M.PMs. Gabrielle Springer
Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and CommerceHon. Dwight Sutherland, M.PMr. Esworth Reid
Ministry of Environment and National BeautificationHon. Trevor Prescod, M.PMs. Daphne Kellman
Ministry of Energy and Water ResourcesHon. Wilfred AbrahamsMr. Andrew Gittens
Ms. Francine Blackman
Ministry of Transport, Works and MaintenanceHon. William Duguid, M.P
Hon. Peter Phillips, M.P
Mr. Mark Cummins
Ministry of Creative Economy, Culture and SportsHon. John King, M.PMr. Jehu Wiltshire
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue EconomyHon. Kirk Humphrey, M.PMs. Sonia Foster
Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart TechnologySenator Kay McConneyMr. Charley Browne
Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Public AffairsSenator Lucille MoeMs. Sandra Phillips

Legislative Branch

Under Barbados' version of the Westminster system of government, the executive and legislative branches are partly intertwined.
The only official Cabinet office expressly mentioned in the Constitution of Barbados is Office of the Attorney-General.
The Constitution of Barbados is the supreme law of the nation. The Attorney General heads the independent judiciary. Historically, Barbadian law was based entirely on English common law with a few local adaptations. At the time of independence, the Parliament of the United Kingdom lost its ability to legislate for Barbados, but the existing English and British common law and statutes in force at that time, together with other measures already adopted by the Barbadian Parliament, became the basis of the new country's legal system.
Legislation may be shaped or influenced by such organisations as the United Nations, the Organization of American States, or other international bodies to which Barbados has obligatory commitments by treaty. Additionally, through international co-operation, other institutions may supply the Barbados Parliament with key sample legislation to be adapted to meet local circumstances before enacting it as local law.
New acts are passed by the Barbadian Parliament and require royal assent by the Governor-General to become law.

Judicial branch

The Judiciary is the legal system through which punishments are handed out to individuals who break the law. The Judiciary also settles disputes.
The Functions of The judiciary:
°To Enforce Laws
°To interpret Laws
°To conduct court hearings
°To hear court appeals
The local court system of Barbados is made up of:
ranked Barbados as 17th place in the world on its Corruption Perceptions Index in 2010, with only one nation scoring better in the Americas.

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