Prime Minister of Barbados

The prime minister of Barbados is the head of government of Barbados. This important role is given to one person by the president of the country, following the rules set in the Constitution. The president makes sure elections for parliament happen and then chooses the leader, who becomes the prime minister.

The prime minister helps run the country. They help make decisions and guide the government to take care of the people in Barbados. This job is very important because the prime minister works with the president and the parliament to make sure the country runs well.

Background

Sir Grantley Herbert Adams became Barbados' first Premier on February 1, 1953, when Barbados got more self-government. When Barbados became fully independent from Britain on November 30, 1966, the title changed to Prime Minister. The job duties stayed mostly the same.

Appointment and tenure

Barbados uses the Westminster system. The prime minister is the main leader of the government. Until 2021, the governor-general chose the prime minister. Now, the president of Barbados makes this choice.

The president looks for someone who has the support of most members of the House of Assembly. If they cannot find such a person, the president may dissolve Parliament and call new elections.

The prime minister serves for up to five years. If the prime minister loses their seat in an election or if they pass away, the president picks a new prime minister from Parliament to finish the term. The prime minister must keep the support of the majority in the House of Assembly. If they lose this support, they must step down, and the whole Cabinet resigns too. Usually, the leader of the party with the most seats becomes prime minister. If no party has a clear majority, the president's role becomes more important.

Holders

Before Barbados became independent, there were three leaders called premiers. Since independence, eight people have served as prime minister.

Responsibilities

The prime minister helps guide the country. They advise the president and choose ministers to lead parts of the government. The prime minister also controls most members of the House of Assembly and picks 12 senators to help make laws. The president appoints the prime minister, usually the leader of the party with the most support.

List of prime ministers

Main article: List of prime ministers of Barbados

The prime minister of Barbados leads the government. The president of Barbados chooses the prime minister based on the Constitution. The president organizes elections and picks a candidate to be prime minister.

Official oath of office

When someone becomes the Prime Minister of Barbados, they take a special promise called an oath of office. They promise to give their best advice to the President to help run the country well. They also promise to keep private discussions and decisions of the government secret, only sharing what is needed to help Barbados. This promise shows their commitment to serve the country faithfully.

British Privy Council

Main article: Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Before the Caribbean Court of Justice began in 2005, some prime ministers of Barbados joined the British Privy Council. This group has important people from Britain and other countries that share the same ruler.

These are the prime ministers who joined the Privy Council and the years they joined:

• The Rt Hon. Errol Barrow, 1969;
• The Rt Hon. Tom Adams, 1977;
• The Rt Hon. Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, 1989;
• The Rt Hon. Owen Arthur, 1995;
• The Rt Hon. Freundel Stuart, 2014.

Quasi-Cabinet of the Caribbean Community

Main article: CARICOM Heads of Government

The prime minister of Barbados is part of a group called the Quasi-Cabinet of the Caribbean Community. This group has leaders from many Caribbean countries. They work together to make big decisions for the area. The main leader of this group is called the Head of Government of the Caribbean Community, and they help guide the group.