Barbados Labour Party
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The Barbados Labour Party is the current governing party of Barbados. Led by Owen Arthur, the BLP dominates the Parliament of Barbados, with 24 out of the 30 seats in the House of Assembly. It's a member of the Socialist International.
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 first participated in general elections in 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.
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 30 seats, passing the requirement of holding more than 16 to form a majority government. The number increased to 24 in 2006 when in an almost unprecedented development in politics the then leader of the opposition after a bitter and tumultuous internal battle within his own party resigned the post and joined the governing party. The Barbados Labour Party is defined as “moderate left of centre.” 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, equalling about 55.75% of the vote. Anyone 18 years of age or older is allowed to vote and the next General Election is constitutionally due to be held in 2008.
[edit] References
- F. A. Hoyes. The Rise of West Indian Democracy: The Life and Times of Sir Grantley Adams. Advocate Press (1963).
