Structure of Government
Barbados is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth, in which the British monarchy (represented by the Governor General) is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
Parliament is based on the Westminster model (the model of parliament of Canada and the UK) and consists of Her Majesty (represented by the Governor General), the Senate (the Upper House), and the House of Assembly (the Lower House). The approval of the Senate and House of Assembly is required for legislation to pass; however the Government is responsible solely to 'the people' through the House of Assembly.
Under the Constitution the Senate consists of 21 persons appointed by the Governor General. Twelve are Government senators appointed on the Prime Minister's advice and two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition. The remaining seven appointments represent various interest groups.
The House of Assembly consists of 30 members elected by majority vote in each parliamentary constituency. Members of Parliament serve for a maximum of five years.
Major political parties are Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and People's Empowerment Party (PEP).
For more information visit "Access Barbados".
Parliament is based on the Westminster model (the model of parliament of Canada and the UK) and consists of Her Majesty (represented by the Governor General), the Senate (the Upper House), and the House of Assembly (the Lower House). The approval of the Senate and House of Assembly is required for legislation to pass; however the Government is responsible solely to 'the people' through the House of Assembly.
Under the Constitution the Senate consists of 21 persons appointed by the Governor General. Twelve are Government senators appointed on the Prime Minister's advice and two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition. The remaining seven appointments represent various interest groups.
The House of Assembly consists of 30 members elected by majority vote in each parliamentary constituency. Members of Parliament serve for a maximum of five years.
Major political parties are Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and People's Empowerment Party (PEP).
For more information visit "Access Barbados".
Governor General, Sir Clifford S. Husbands, GCMG, KA
His Excellency, Sir Clifford Straughn Husbands, GCMG, KA, was born on the 5th August, 1926 at Morgan Lewis Plantation, in the parish of St. Andrew. He received his primary education at Selah Boy's Elementary School in St. Lucy between 1931 and 1936, and secondary education at the Parry School and Harrison College between 1936 and 1946.
Made a Knight of Sr. Andrew in 1995, Sir Clifford was called to Bar in 1952, appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1976, a Justice of Appeal in 1991 and Governor General in 1996.
Click here to read the Governor General's biography.
Made a Knight of Sr. Andrew in 1995, Sir Clifford was called to Bar in 1952, appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1976, a Justice of Appeal in 1991 and Governor General in 1996.
Click here to read the Governor General's biography.
Prime Minister, The Hon. Freundel J. Stuart, Q.C.
The Hon. Freundel J. Stuart was appointed Prime Minister of Barbados on October 23, 2010 following the death of Prime Minister, Hon. David Thompson. He is the 7th Prime Minister of Barbados.
Raised in St. Philip, Prime Minister Stuart attended Boys' Foundation School and the University of the West Indies where he obtained Honours undergraduate degrees in political science and law, a Masters degree in Public International Law and Legal Education Certificate. The 59 year old Prime Minister is an attorney-at-Law by profession. In politics he was the member of parliament for St. Philip South from 1994 - 1999, a member of the Senate from 2003 - 2007 and is the sitting member of parliament for St. Michael South.
Prior to becoming Prime Minister, he held the cabinet positions of Attorney-General and Minister of Home Affairs and was also Deputy Prime Minister.
Click here to read the Prime Minister's biography.
Raised in St. Philip, Prime Minister Stuart attended Boys' Foundation School and the University of the West Indies where he obtained Honours undergraduate degrees in political science and law, a Masters degree in Public International Law and Legal Education Certificate. The 59 year old Prime Minister is an attorney-at-Law by profession. In politics he was the member of parliament for St. Philip South from 1994 - 1999, a member of the Senate from 2003 - 2007 and is the sitting member of parliament for St. Michael South.
Prior to becoming Prime Minister, he held the cabinet positions of Attorney-General and Minister of Home Affairs and was also Deputy Prime Minister.
Click here to read the Prime Minister's biography.
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