Governor-General of Barbados
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox official post
Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists The governor-general of Barbados was the representative of the Barbadian monarch from independence in 1966 until the establishment of a republic in 2021. Under the government's Table of Precedence for Barbados, the governor-general of Barbados was regarded as being the most important of all personnel of the Barbados government.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The office was established by Chapter IV of the 1966 Constitution of Barbados.<ref>Constitution, Chapter IV</ref> The governor-general was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister of Barbados.<ref>Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 28(1)</ref><ref>Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 32</ref> The governor-general exercised the monarch's executive powers and gave assent to bills in the monarch's name, promulgating them as laws.<ref>Constitution, Chapter V, Section 58(1)</ref> The powers of the monarch and the governor-general were limited, and they, in most instances, exercised authority on the advice of the prime minister or other persons or bodies within Barbados.<ref>Constitution, Chapter IV, Section 32</ref>
The office of the governor-general was established when Barbados gained independence in 1966. Since then, Barbados had 8 governors-general. On 30 November 2021, Barbados became a republic and the office of governor-general was abolished.
DutiesEdit
The Barbadian monarch, on the advice of her Barbadian prime minister, appointed a governor-general to be her representative in Barbados.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Constitution, Chapter VI, Part 1; Section 28</ref> Both the monarch and the governor-general held much power in the country, though it was rarely used unilaterally; it was usually only used in such a way in emergencies and in some cases war.<ref>Constitution, Chapter III, Part 15; Section 25(1)(a)</ref>
The governor-general represented the monarch on ceremonial occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament and the presentation of honours and military parades. Under the constitution, the governor-general was given authority to act in some matters; for example, in appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service,<ref>The role of GG is not just ceremonial, says Arthur</ref> granting "any person convicted of any offence against the laws of Barbados a pardon",<ref>Constitution, Chapter VI, Part 2; Section 78(1)(a)</ref> and in proroguing parliament. However, in only a few cases was the governor-general empowered to act entirely on his/her own discretion, often requiring the countersignature of the prime minister to exercise their powers.
The governor-general of Barbados also chaired the Privy Council of Barbados.
List of governors-general of BarbadosEdit
Following is a list of people who served as governor-general of Barbados from independence in 1966 to the establishment of a republic in 2021.
SymbolsTemplate:Note labelTemplate:Refbegin
- <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^†{{#if:| }} Died in office.
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TimelineEdit
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Official oath of officeEdit
According to the First Schedule section of the 1966 Constitution of Barbados, the official oath of office for the governor-general of Barbados was as follows: Template:Cquote
AbolitionEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In September 2020, the government of Barbados announced that it planned to abolish the Barbadian monarchy and the position of the governor-general, and the Queen of Barbados to be replaced with a ceremonial president, akin to that of the president of Trinidad and Tobago.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Incumbent governor-general Sandra Mason was elected president on 20 October 2021 and took office on 30 November 2021.
See alsoEdit
- Government House, the official residence of the governor-general
- Order of Barbados
- List of governors of Barbados
- Governor-General of the West Indies Federation
- List of prime ministers of Barbados
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Commons category-inline
- About Queen Elizabeth II and her role in Barbados - Royal.uk
- Governor General of Barbados, Our Nation, Government of Barbados
Template:Governors-General of Barbados Template:Barbados topics Template:Representatives of the monarch in Commonwealth realms and Dominions