Government of Barbados

The Government of Barbados consists of: The Monarch, HRM Queen Elizabeth II and her representative the Governor-General, HE Clifford Husbands; The Prime Minister, The Hon. David Thompson, and his Cabinet; and a Legislature divided into two legislative chambers of Parliament (The Senate and the House of Assembly). In keeping with the evolution of the Westminster system of governance, Barbados has evolved into a Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy, meaning that all real power rests with the Parliament. All Barbadian law is rooted historically on English common law, and the Constitution of Barbados has legally evolved to become the highest law of the land.

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 (such as the Executive Council), or a mixture of colonial rule and a partially-elected assembly, such as the Legislative Council. Both the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party have formed the government in the elections since 1961.

Executive Branch

The Prime Minister and Cabinet is formed by the political party which gains a simple majority in the general elections held in Barbados. These elections constitutionally must be held no longer than every five years apart, however elections can be called whenever the Government so chooses to seek a new mandate or loses a vote of no confidence in Parliament. It is part of Barbados' political system and supported by the Public service.

Ministries

Barbados

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Barbados

Government Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II The Crown Governor-General Clifford Husbands Prime Minister David Thompson MP Cabinet The Privy Council Ministries Civil Service Parliament House of Assembly Speaker Michael Carrington MP Political Opposition Opposition Leader Mia Mottley QC MP Senate President Deputy President Leader of the Senate Act of Parliament Judiciary Constitution Caribbean Court of Justice Supreme Court Court of Appeal High Court of Barbados Magistrates Courts Law of Barbados Human rights Parishes of Barbados Politics of Barbados Government Parliament Constituency Councils Local Government (Vestry) Mayor of Bridgetown Bridgetown City Council Elections Parliament constituencies Political parties Barbados Labour Party Democratic Labour Party Last election Next election Foreign Policy Foreign relations Politics of the Caribbean

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Perception

Transparency International ranked Barbados as 22nd place (of 179) in the world on its corruption perceptions index in 2008, with only 3 nations surpassing it in the Americas. ([1], [2]. However, it can be noted that the government (which is the political party known as the DLP, or Democratic Labour Party.) is generally in-corrupt, helping to maintain stability.[3]

Gallery

Office of the Prime Minister

The Cabinet Office "Government Headquarters" complex

Main entrance to "Government Headquarters" complex, with a statue of Sir Grantley Adams in the foreground

See also

• Prime Minister of Barbados
• Monarchy of Barbados
• List of ministers of the environment
• Parliament of Barbados

External links

• Barbadian Government Website
• Barbados Government statement on the proper titles for members of Government
• Social Security provided by the Government of Barbados

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