‘Self governance is self love’: Barbados elects first local head of state on journey to becoming a republic · Global Voices
Dame <PERSON>, president-elect of Barbados. Screenshot taken from the YouTube video ‘Profiles in Excellence – Her Excellency Dame <PERSON>, GCMG, D.A., Q.C.’, via the We Gatherin’ Barbados YouTube channel.
Making good on its intention, declared just over a year ago, to sever colonial ties with the United Kingdom by removing <PERSON> as head of state and becoming a republic, Barbados elected its first president on October 20, after members of the country's lower and upper house of parliament met to vote on the matter during a special sitting. Prime Minister <PERSON> called the move a “seminal moment.”
The proposed candidate, Dame <PERSON>, who is Barbados’ current governor-general and was jointly nominated for the post by Prime Minister <PERSON> and Leader of the Opposition <PERSON>, was elected by more than a two-thirds majority in each house:
#WATCH: House Speaker <PERSON> declares Dame <PERSON> duly elected as first President of #Barbados following a vote in both Houses of Parliament
She will be inaugurated & replace Her Majesty <PERSON> as head of state on Independence Day – Nov 30th #BIMRepublic pic.twitter.com/lZlsWQu9DU
— Kevz Politics (@KevzPolitics) October 20, 2021
While the vote in the lower house was unanimous, the senate had one unreturned ballot—that of Opposition Senator <PERSON>, who objected to the procedure involved in the presidential election:
Opposition Senator <PERSON> walked out of this morning’s joint sitting of Parliament after objecting to the nomination of Governor General <PERSON> as Barbados’ first President on Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/MFqMeEh0cQ
— Barbados Today (@BarbadosToday) October 20, 2021
<PERSON>'s objection seemed to revolve around the fact that the ballot papers did not provide an option to register a “no” vote. He also claimed that the process was “rushed”, accusing the government of “amending the old British constitution [and] calling it a republican constitution”:
If you want to become a republic, publish a republican constitution, have a Barbados Constitution Act and everything flows from there. 142
You put the president in place under a British statute.
Senate President <PERSON>, however, deemed all documentation and procedures valid.
<PERSON>, now 72 years old, was the first woman attorney to receive her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies’ Hugh Wooding Law School in 1973. Over the course of her career, she has prioritised her professional development, completing courses in judicial administration and dispute resolution. She has worked in the financial sector, in private practice and as an ambassador, eventually being appointed chief magistrate and registrar of the Supreme Court of Barbados, before becoming governor-general.
Her impressive resume prompted one Twitter user to say:
I really dont understand the fuss about the election of the president of Barbados. It makes sense for Dame <PERSON> to become president. ?
— <PERSON> (@QueenLici) October 21, 2021
Another suggested:
<PERSON> won today because he managed to make today about him despite the fact that all those who were present for the vote voted in favour of the election of Dame <PERSON> as the first President of Barbados.
— <PERSON> (@RoshannaTrim) October 20, 2021
Dame <PERSON> will make history come November 30, Barbados’ Independence Day, when she will be formally installed as the country's first-ever local head of state—and most social media users seemed happy about it:
Dame <PERSON> x <PERSON>:
The President and Prime Minister of Barbados.
Dame <PERSON> is the first native Head of State and will replace Her Majesty <PERSON> #BIM55 ?? pic.twitter.com/df3fDnhs0h
— <PERSON> (@DionneGrant) October 20, 2021
Some netizens didn't see the point:
If you are getting rid of the queen as a ceremonial head of state
What is the point of replacing her with another ceremonial head of state?
What purpose will a Barbadian president with zero powers to do anything serve?
Genuine question here. 142