Cabinet of Barbados

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A simplified diagram of the Barbados government

The Cabinet, formally Her Majesty’s Barbados Ministers,^[1] are individuals of Barbados which execute the duties of the Government of Barbados.

Under a Westminster system of governance, these powers are vested nominally in Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados (represented by the Governor-General), but are exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed by the Governor-General: the Governor-General must appoint as Prime Minister someone who can control a majority of votes in the House of Assembly. In practice, this is normally the leader of the largest political party or coalition in the house. If there is no clear majority in the House of Assembly, however, the Governor-General's role becomes more important: he or she must assume the role of arbitrator and open negotiations with the leaders of the various political parties, in the hope of finding someone whom a majority will accept as Prime Minister. In the event of that failing to take place, the Governor-General must dissolve the House of Assembly and call an early election.

History

The Cabinet system of government was implemented in Barbados in 1 February 1954 after attainment of full self-government earlier. Prior to an official Cabinet, the role was fulfilled by the colonial era Executive Council on the island. Under the Constitution of Barbados, Cabinet is not prescribed a maximum number Cabinet of Ministers however, it must have no fewer than five members. The first Cabinet was led by Premier Sir Grantley Herbert Adams. The four other Ministers were:

• The Hon. Dr. H.G.H. Cummins (Member 1935-36; 1940-1961);
• The Hon. M.E. Cox (later Sir Mencea, member 1944-1961; senator 1976-1981;
• The Hon. R. G. Mapp (later Sir Ronald, member 1946-1961; Senator 1976-1979);
• The Hon. C. E. Talma (later Sir Edwy, member 1944-1948; 1951-1976)

Current

Prime Minister Thompson took up the position of chairman in 2008 and was this country's sixth Prime Minister. Upon his passing in 2010, Prime Minister Stuart was appointed by the Governor-General. Others to have held this esteemed designation are the Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur, national hero The Right Excellent Errol Barrow, the late The Rt. Hon. Tom Adams, the late The Hon. Harold Bernard St. John (later Sir Harold), and Rt. Hon. Lloyd Erskine Sandiford (later Sir Lloyd).

The current Prime Minister is The Right Honourable Freundel Stuart.

2008 Cabinet

The 18-member Cabinet announced by the Democratic Labour Party as of 20 January 2008:^[2]

2006 Cabinet

The full Cabinet of the previous Barbados Government administration as of February 2006:

See also

• Table of precedence for Barbados
• Monarchy of Barbados
• Governor-General of Barbados
• Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)
• Representatives to the United Nations

External links

• Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Barbados
• Site of the Democratic Labour Party
• Site of the Barbados Labour Party
• Parliament of Barbados Official Site
• Government Headquarters building, The Ministry of Community Development & Culture, Barbados

References

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