Since its independence in 1966, Barbados has been part of the Commonwealth.
However, Prime Minister Mia Mottley revealed in a speech that Barbados would leave the Commonwealth and become an official republic by November 2021.
Mottley’s speech garnered a lot of support in the country, with the overall reception being positive. Most people agree that “Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time [it] celebrates [its] 55th Anniversary of Independence.”
Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason also expressed support. Regarding the speech, she said, “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State.”
She also said, “This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.”
Representatives of Buckingham Palace did not issue a response beyond stating, “This is a matter for the government and people of Barbados.” However, they did maintain that Britain would still ‘enjoy a partnership’ with the nation.
A spokesperson from the British PM’s office stated, “We obviously have a shared history and remain united with Barbados in terms of history, culture, and language, and we will continue to have and enjoy a partnership with them as members of the Commonwealth.”
Barbados has a rich colonial history. It was one of the first settlements in the West Indies. The country’s historical ties with the English date back to the 17th century.
In the next few decades, the island became a functioning colony for growing and exporting crops. The island became one of the most profitable settlements for the British. This was largely due to the slave trade.
Slaves were brought here from Africa in the 1600s. From 1627 to 1807, around 387,000 African slaves were shipped here from different African countries.
With the decision to remove the Queen as ‘head of state’, Barbadians can say goodbye to this dark colonial past and officially become independent.