The Barbados Labour Party is the current governing party of Barbados. Led by Owen Arthur, the BLP dominates the Parliament of Barbados , with 23 of 28 seats.

The Barbados Labour Party was founded on March 31, 1938 at the home of James Martineau. During the first meeting Chrissie Brathwaite and Grantley Adams were elected as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The party was the organization vehicle for the political movement brought on by the unrest of 1937 and which ultimately resulted in a peaceful transfer of power. The objectives of the founders included adult suffrage, free education, and better housing and health care. It was first included in the general elections of 1940. In 1994 Owen Arthur became the Prime Minister and is currently serving his third consecutive term as the leader of the Barbados Labour Party.

Barbados became an independent state in the British Commonwealth on November 30, 1966 and is a parliamentary democracy (modeled after the British Westminster system). Control of the government is held by the Cabinet and responsible to the Parliament which has 28 seats in the House and 21 seats in the Senate. Barbados is one of the most secure democracies in the Caribbean. The Barbados Labour Party’s current initiatives include the establishment of a Rural and Urban Development Commission and a Ministry of Social Transformation. In the 2003 elections the Barbados Labour Party won 23 out of the 28 seats, passing the requirement of holding more than 16 to form a majority government. The Barbados Labour Party is defined as “moderate left of center.” Barbados is divided into 11 parishes; The Barbados Labour Party won 75,313 out of 135,083 votes that were cast in the 2003 House election, equaling about 55.75% of the vote. At last tally the total population of Barbados totaled 274,540, meaning the Barbados Labour Party managed to secure roughly 27% of the total population. Anyone 21 years of age or older is allowed to vote and the next General Election is scheduled for 2008.

References

• F. A. Hoyes. The Rise of West Indian Democracy: The Life and Times of Sir Grantley Adams. Advocate Press (1963).

External links

• Official Site