Submission 106

Sent: Monday, November 7, 2022
To: ConstitutionalReform
Subject: Recommendation in respect of the Senate

Dear Commissioners:

I am recommending that the Senate of Barbados be made a body of representatives from social interest groups rather than as now obtains.

The process now of selecting senators makes this body a creature of political parties only. Furthermore, those parties are restricted to governing party and opposition party in parliament.

There is no good reason why political parties should have that second chance to debate an issue. This makes for redundancy and results in avoidable costs. In the event, as has happened, no opposition party is formed after an election, the redundancy is further entrenched.

If there is need to extend that second look to other eyes, then I offer two suggestions. The second look should be given to representatives of other organised national interest groups. This is modelled in thespace made for trade unions, the parent training organisation, the national parent teachers organisation and the like on other bodies of the state. The representation I propose at the level of the second house of the parliament would extend representation deeper into the communities.

I am aware that the Head of state, now the President of Barbados, has the ability to choose a number of senators. The second suggestion in regard to the felt need for a second look is that the capacity of a president to select a number of senate places be retained. My suggestions are aimed at integrating practices of democracy as well as accountability further into the community. They also recognise the value of social capital to the enhancement of Barbados.

Guidance,