ONCE AGAIN THE PLAN to take Barbados towards the republican system of government is back on the front burner of local political discussion.
While Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has briefly addressed the matter, we, the public await the full details on the way forward.
It may not be as contentious an issue as it was when former Prime Minister Owen Arthur suggested this route a decade ago. But, Mr Stuart must be prepared to deal with the other issues which should be concomitant with any such move.
We accept that it would make sense for the country to complete the process of nationhood by having not only the trappings and symbols but the supreme authority in Bridgetown. It is equally as important that democracy be strengthened by ensuring a number of existing systems which reflect and operate as they did during the colonial period be changed. We the people need to be embraced beyond our vote.
The first visible institution in need of change is our Parliament which last year celebrated its 375th anniversary. It has served us well; there for the ruling classes during the terrible days of slavery and after emancipation.
There have changes in the way it has conducted the people’s business since those periods, but even today it reflects too much the vestiges of a long past era. The discussion must therefore include how to strengthen our system of governance.
A good start is for all our elected parliamentarians to serve as full-time representatives looking after the people’s business and not the way they now do.
There must be a big shift in that chamber as opposed to when the planter and mercantile classes were in control.
The public’s interest can be better served when our paid elected representatives dedicate their full work week to the duties for which they were elected; either as Ministers of the Crown or as legislators. The time for elected representatives, enjoying the best of both worlds, as legislators and yet working full-time elsewhere, is totally unacceptable. Many of the complaints now voiced by constituents would disappear with full time robust representation.
The time seems right to also demand greater separation between our parliament and the executive. It cannot serve the country well-when there is no difference between the Cabinet and legislators. There is also a need for parliamentary standing committees to work. It may be the ideal time to look at whether we should have a fixed date for elections date and term limits for our prime ministers.
The march towards a republic is clearly a matter of priority to both major political parties; the walk may be easily accepted by the majority. We can only hope Mr Stuart does not see the realisation of the Republic of Barbados as his only lasting legacy.