Governor-General of Barbados

The Governor-General of Barbados is the representative of the Barbadian monarch (presently Queen Elizabeth II). Under the government's Table of Precedence for Barbados, the Governor-General of Barbados is regarded as being the most important of all personnel of the Barbados government.[2]

Governor-General of Barbados
Coat of Arms of Barbados
Incumbent
Dame Sandra Mason
GCMG, DA, QC
since 8 January 2018
Viceroy
StyleHer Excellency
ResidenceGovernment House, Barbados
AppointerMonarch of Barbados
Term lengthAt Her Majesty's pleasure
Formation30 November 1966
First holderSir John Montague Stow
Salary220,998 BBD annually[1]
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The office is accorded legitimacy by Chapter IV of the Constitution of Barbados.[3] The Governor-General is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Barbados.[4][5] The Governor-General exercises executive powers and who assents to bills in the monarch's name before they can become promulgated into law.[6] The Barbados constitution limits the powers of the Governor-General (known as a constitutional monarchy system of governance).[7] This effectively limits the powers of the Queen, as it does the Governor-General, who, in most instances, exercises authority on the advice of the prime minister or other persons or bodies within Barbados.[8]

The office of the Governor-General was established when Barbados gained independence in 1966. Since the settlement of Barbados by the British, Barbados has had 68 Governors and subsequently 8 Governors-General.

Duties

The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints a Governor-General to be her representative in Barbados.[9][10] Both the Queen and the Governor-General hold much power of the country, though it is rarely used unilaterally; it is usually only used in such a way in emergencies and in some cases war.[11]

A simplified diagram of the Barbados government

The Governor-General represents the Queen on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of parliament and the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the constitution, the Governor-General is given authority to act in some matters; for example, in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service,[12] granting "any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Barbados a pardon",[13] and in proroguing parliament. But, in only a few cases is the Governor-General empowered to act entirely on his / her own discretion.

The Governor-General of Barbados also chairs the Privy Council of Barbados.

List of Governors-General of Barbados

On 30 November 1966, Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom.

No. Image Name
(Birth–Death)		 Term of office Notes Monarch
(Reign)
1 Sir John Montague Stow
(1911–1997)		 30 November
1966		 18 May
1967		 Elizabeth II

(1966–present)
2 Sir Arleigh Winston Scott
(1900–1976)		 18 May
1967		 9 August
1976		 Died in office
– Sir William Douglas
(1921–2003)		 9 August
1976		 17 November
1976		 Acting (first time)
3 Sir Deighton Lisle Ward
(1909–1984)		 17 November
1976		 9 January
1984		 Died in office
– Sir William Douglas
(1921–2003)		 10 January
1984		 24 February
1984		 Acting (second time)
4 Sir Hugh Springer
(1913–1994)		 24 February
1984		 6 June
1990
5 Dame Nita Barrow
(1916–1995)		 6 June
1990		 19 December
1995		 Died in office
– Sir Denys Williams
(1929–2014)		 19 December
1995		 1 June
1996		 Acting
6 Sir Clifford Husbands
(1926–2017)		 1 June
1996		 31 October
2011
– Sir Elliott Belgrave
(1931–)		 1 November
2011		 30 May
2012		 Acting
– Dame Sandra Mason
(1949–)		 30 May
2012		 1 June
2012		 Acting
7 Sir Elliott Belgrave
(1931–)		 1 June
2012		 30 June
2017
– Sir Philip Greaves
(1931–)		 1 July
2017		 8 January
2018		 Acting
8 Dame Sandra Mason
(1949–)		 8 January
2018		 Incumbent

Official oath of office

According to the First Schedule section of the Constitution of Barbados, the official Oath of office for the Governor-General of Barbados is as follows:

I, _________________________, do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors, in the office of Governor-General. So help me God.

The future

If Barbados does become a republic in 2021, the monarchy of Barbados and the Governor-General's position would be abolished and replaced with a ceremonial Barbadian head of state, akin to that of the President of Trinidad and Tobago.

See also

References
  1. Government Printing Department. "SCHEDULES OF PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS 2016 – 2017" (PDF). www.barbadosparliament.com.
  2. Table of Precedence for Barbados - July, 2008
  3. Constitution, Chapter IV
  4. Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 28(1)
  5. Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 32
  6. Constitution, Chapter V, Section 58(1)
  7. Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 32
  8. Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 32
  9. "Queen's role in Barbados". The Monarchy Today: Queen and State. The Barbadian Monarchy. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  10. Constitution, Chapter VI, Part 1; Section 28
  11. Constitution, Chapter III, Part 15; Section 25(1)(a)
  12. The role of GG is not just ceremonial, says Arthur
  13. Constitution, Chapter VI, Part 2; Section 78(1)(a)
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