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BA

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(1938-1998)

FOREWORD

Jtisundoubted that the Barbados Labour Partyhas rendered distinguished serviceto the people of our nation during the sixtyyearsof its existence.

The Executive Committee of die National Council

considered it appropriate that we set out in one documentsome of the major achievements of the Party from 1938(the yearofformation) to 1998 (the DiamondJubileeYear).

As Chairman of the Party I am delighted that wehave been able to put together in this booklet some ofthose achievements to ensure that the historical record is

available in permanent formfor all to recall and evaluatethe contribution of the Party to national development.

My profound gratitude is extended to Nigel Barrow, Victor Hinkson, Kimberley Haynes, Michael Rudder and CaswellFranklyn for their research assistance. Ithank too, Prestige Printery,especiallyTrevor and GeoffreyPrescod, for their help in printing this booklet.

My fervent wish is that all who read this bookletwill find its contents illuminating.

DAVID A.C. SIMMONS Q.C., M.RChairman

October 1998

t

Chapter: 1THE

EARLY

YEARS

his document does not purport to bea history of^11 the Barbados Labour Party. It merely seeks to

record inpermanent form in the sixtieth year ofthe Barbados Labour Party (1998) SOME only of theachievements of the oldest political organisation in theEnglish speaking Caribbean. It is intended to be anaidememoire and a reference point of some of the contributions of the Party to the growth and development ofBarbados.

TheBarbados Labour Partywas bomout ofthepoverty and distress ofthe 1930's -aperiod ofgrave political,social andeconomic oppression andinequality in Barbadosand the Caribbean. In theWestIndian territories hunger, deprivation, hardship and abject poverty were the lotof the working classes.

The average wage ofanagricultural worker was 24cents per day! It is not difficult, therefore, toimagine thesocial and economic conditions which gave rise to thedisturbances that were an inevitable consequence of thetimes and which swept through the Caribbean in the1930's.The disturbances that beganon July26,1937 area watershed in the history of Barbados.

4 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

Labour Party was formally launched as a political organisation on March 31,1938. For a short time this organisation was subsequently renamed "The Barbados Progressive League" but, eventually, it resumed its originalnomenclature. Grantley Adams (later Sir Grantley) waselected as its leader.

The Party was a broad-based political institutionrepresenting the interests of a wide section of the workingclass. Its early leadership was drawn from selfless members of the middle class, for example, Chrissie Brathwaite,a City merchant, who wasits first Chairman, EdwyTalma(later Sir Edwy), a conveyancer, James A. Martineau, abusinessman, Dr. Hugh Gordon Cummins, WynterCrawford, journalist and Hope Stevens, a St. Kitts lawyerbased in the U.SA.

The broad aims and objectives of the Party were:

1. lb provide political expression for the law-abiding inhabitants of the country, enabling themto participate in the development of democraticinstitutions, promote the social and economicdevelopment of its people and assist in theextension of all principles of good government.

2. To foster goodwill between employers andemployees in industrial and commercial activities and to enlist the co -operation of all personsinterested in the welfare and progress of theIsland.

3. Tostimulate on the part of the people an intelligent outlook on social, economic and politi-

*

+

4.

...The Barbados LabourParty (1938-1998) 5

for workers in the various branches of industryand commerce, soas to enable them toconductthemselves in their respective organisations insuch a manner as to avoid all possibility offuture action which may be subversive of lawand order.

lb endeavour topromote andco-operate in theformation ofsimilar organisations inall parts ofthe British West Indies.

As a result of the disturbances which swept theCaribbean in 1937, the British Government which thenhad responsibility for the Colony ofBarbados establishedaRoyal Commission under Lord Moyne to investigate thecauses andcircumstances ofthedisturbances andto makerecommendations.

As Leader of the Barbados LabourParty, GrantleyAdams seized theopportunity to appear before thedbm-mission and he spared no pains in articulating theconcerns andplight ofBarbadians. Adams performancewas a virtual tourdeforce andrepresented theParty's firstmajornational triumph. Inprotesting the social, economicand political conditions ofthe time (1939) Adams madeanumber of outstanding and far-reaching submissions.Perhaps his two most telling submissions were proposalsfor raicalchange in the plantation system and the introduction of universal adult suffrage.

Itwas during this period thatHugh Worrell Springer(later Sir Hugh), lawyer and scholar, returned fromEngland and joined Grantley Adams on the local politicalscene. From 1939 to 1947 Springer played a very signifi-

6 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

and a capacity for hard work. He and Adams promotedthe causes of the working class with vigour and flair. Theylaunched an assault on the position of the merchant-planter oligarchy.

The first taste of electoral success for the B.L.R was

in the General Elections of 1940. The Party won 5 seatsin the House of Assembly. The successful candidates were:Grantley Adams, Hugh Springer, Dr. Cummins, VictorVaughan and Graham Gittens.

The next strategy, having achieved a measure ofpolitical success, was to organise the working class. Thus,Adams and Springer immediately set about to establish aTrade Union through the formation of the Peasants'Association. Next they formed a Friendlysociety with theslogan: "Three Units, one aim: raising the living standardsof the working classes." The third Unit was in fact theBarbados Workers' Union which was established as an

affiliate of the Barbados Labour Party on October 4,1941.Adams was the Union's first President and Springer its firstSecretary.

The Barbados Workers' Union survives to this dayas the premier Trade Union in Barbados, highly respectedregionallyand internationally.

The Party promoted suck measures as:

• Workmen's Compensation legislation;

• A Wages Board and Labour Department;

c JL- .j__r Li—f rco

*

...The Barbados Labour Party (1938-1998) 7

• Universal adult suffrage.

By 1944 the Party was able to include in itsManifesto pledges the view that "every man and woman shouldhave the right to stand for election to the House ofAssembly whether they be rich orpoor." Inthe 1944 General Elections, the Party increased itsnumerical strengthin the House of Assembly to eight and it was able toagitate for:-

• increased old age pensions;

• improved conditions forshop assistants;

• penal reform;

• jobs forBarbadians in theU.S.A.;

• tlie organisationof the Police Force.

The Party was an undoubtedly effective politicalforce in the 1940's. Its influence was island-wide and ofsuch importance that itgained representation onthe Governor's Executive (Committee, thepolicy-making organ ofthe then Governmentof Barbados. Indeed, the BarbadosLabour Party was the Party of Government after 1946although for some time itwas inacoalition with CbngressParty.

After the 1946 election came the famous BusheExperiment inwhich Grandey Adams was invited by Governor Sir Grattan Bushe to nominate members to theExecutive (Committee. The nominated members were:Adams, Springer, Wynter Crawford, and Hugh Blackman.

8 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

Hugh Springer who resignedfrom the House of Assemblyand the Union to pursue a career in Education. Springerhad been a Tutor at Codrington College and a memberofthe Committee whose recommendations led to the establishment of the University College of the West Indies. HeleftBarbados to take up thepostofRegistrar at the incipient University College of the West Indies in Jamaica.Adams felt the loss of his political lieutenant acutely buthe soldiered on.

He regrouped his loyal forces and infused the Partywith new blood. Frank Walcott (later Sir Frank), who hadearlier been recruited bySpringer to join the Party and theUnion became General Secretary of the BarbadosWorkers' Union and served with great distinction foralmost 40 years.

The B.L.R formed its first Government on its own

in 1948 - the year of its tenth anniversary as a politicalorganisation.

But it scored its most resounding victory in the General Election of1951. That Election was the first in which

each and everyBarbadian over the ageof 21 became eligible to vote. One man, one vote, came to Barbados throughthe efforts of the Barbados Labour Party.

There were some notable victories in that Election.

Returning with Adams to the House of Assembly werepersons like Mencea Cox, Freddie Miller, RonaldMapp, Dr.Cummins, Frank Walcott. Ermie Bourne (laterDame Ermie) was the first woman ever to enter the Houseof Assembly.

The B.L.P. won the elections of 1951 and 1956.

Adams became the first Premier of Barbados on the

arrainmenr nf full inrpmal splf-oovfrnmpnt'artd rbal-

...The Barbados LabourParty (1938 -1998) 9

Assembly to become the first and only Prime Minister ofthe Federation of the West Indies (1958-1962).

Cabinet and Ministerial Government came to Bar

bados for the first time in 1954 and Adams chose as hisfirst Ministers Cox, Miller,Mapp and Cummins.

Some of the achievements of the B.L.R Governments(1951-1961) were as follows:

• Introduction of Holidayswith Payfor workers.

• Introduction of Free Secondary Education atthe then Secondary Modern Schools of St.Leonard's, Parkinson, West St. Joseph, PrincessMargaret.

• A basic school feeding programme of biscuitsand milk in primaryschools.

• Establishment of the Technical Institute, theforerunner ofthePolytechnic, to teach theyouthvocational skills.

• Establishment of Health Centres in strategiclocations at Enmore, Six Cross Roads andSpeightstown.

• Establishment of the Development Board as theforerunner of the Industrial DevelopmentCorporation topromote industrial development.

• Establishment of the Tourist Board to promote.. __ J J: 1

10 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

• Hotel Aids legislation to assist in developing thetourist industry.

• Promotion offamily planning and birth control.

• Commencing the study for a National InsuranceScheme which was eventually implemented bytheD.L.Rinl967.

• Redevelopment ofSeawellAirport asitwas thencalled.

• The construction of the modern BridgetownPort.

• Construction of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

• The construction of the massive Government

Headquarters at BayStreet, providing facilitiesfor the Government and Ministries.

• Construction of the first public housing unitsin St. Michael, Christ Church, St. Philip.

• Enactment of the PROTECTION of WAGES

ACT.

• Construction of police stations and post offices.

• In 1955 th,e B.L.R Governmentwas tlie first WestIndian Government to ban the importation ofgoods fromSouth Africa.

...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) 11

• Intheperiod 1951-61 blackpersons first gainedemployment in banks.

• Provision ofHousing Loans for Public Officers.

• Introduction of Fisheries Legislation.

• Provision of loans for higher education.

• Enactment of Public Utilities legislation.

• Enactment of the Housing Act.

• Enactment of a Factories Act.

Theyear 1958 was one ofgreat significance in thehistory of the B.L.R It was the year of elections to theFederal Parliament of the West Indies. Several of theLabour Parties oftheregion combined toform theFederalLabour Party under the leadership of the greatJamaicanpatriot, Norman Washington Manley.

The Barbados Labour Party contested the Federalelections under Grantley Adams' leadership andwon fourof the five seats, Adams, who became Prime Minister ofthe Federation had with him, VictorVaughan, GilmoreRocheford andDeighton Ward. Florence Daysh, thoughnot a member of the Federal Labour Party, won a seat inBarbados andsteadfastly supported Adams in the FederalParliament. Dr. Amott Cato fiater Sir Amott) and SirArchibald Cuke were Barbados' nominees to the Senate,presided overforsometime by Cato.

Adams' departure to the Federation left a vacuumin the leadershio of the B.L.R His charisma and public

12 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

Cummins succeeded Adams as Premier.

The Partysuffered defeat in the General Electionsof December 1961 when the Democratic Labour Party andthe Conservatives coordinated their campaigns to ensurea D.L.R victory. The B.L.R remainedin Oppositionfor 15years until 1976 whenit regained the reins ofgovernmentunder the leadershipof Grandey Adams' son, the late TomAdams.

During the wilderness years, the B.L.R relentlesslyrebuilt itself, recruited "new blood" but, always,kept faithwith its supporters and its aims and objectives. In theperiod 1961-1976, the Partyattracted a numberof young,bright,idealistic, committedpoliticalpersonages whowereto playmajor and outstanding roles in the service of theirnation after 1976.

Some of these were: Tom Adams, Bernard St. John(later SirHarold),HenryForde, DavidSimmons, RichardCheltenham, Louis Tull, Billie Miller, Lionel Craig, L.B.Brathwaite, Victor Johnson, Nigel Barrow.

I;

ft

f

ChAPTER:2

/•g' ust as it was Grantley Adams (In the words ofSir Hugh Springer "the people called him *Mo

( ses*)" who led the people of Barbados out of theoppression and depression of the 1930's, soit was

thatinSeptember 1976, Sir Grantley's son,John MichaelGeoffrey Manningham Adams ("Tom"), rose up to leadBarbados out of die social and economic devastation visitedon thecountry by theDemocratic Labour Party whichproved incapable ofcountering thedifficulties engenderedby the oil crisis of the earlyseventies.

The signs of ultimate success were first seen in aBye-ElectionofFebruary, 1976, when David Simmons wona famous victory in St. Philip North. The swing againstthe D.L.R in that Bye-Election was 33%. Ina second Bye-Election inthe City ofBridgetown (May 1976), Billie Millerbecame only the second woman (and a B.L.R candidate atthat!) to wina seat in the House ofAssembly.

In the General ElectionofSeptember, the B.L.E won17 of the 24 seats. TomAdams became Prime Minister,"Bree" St.John his Deputy andBillie Millerwas appointedthe first female Cabinet Minister. Members of the Cabinet included Lionel Craig, L.B. Brathwaite, RonaldMapp(later Sir Ronald). Henry Forde O-C., Louis Tull, Nigel

14 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

The B.L.R parUamentary team of 1976 to 1981 wasdubbed "The Great dbmbination", a nomenclature well-deserved when it is remembered that on the back-benchwere men of the calibre of David Simmons, "Johnnie"Cheltenham, VicJohnson.

The B.L.R Governments of 1976-86 were reformist,socialist and visionary. They transformed the social andeconomic landscape at great pace but always applyingsound management practices in thegovernance ofBarbados.

True to their socialistphilosophy, the Governmentspromoted the mixed economy, giving due incentives totheprivate sector todevelop andgrow while at thesame time,seeking State intervention in key strategic areas of economic activity. Thus, forexample, the B.L.R:-

• created the Barbados National Bank;

• created the Insurance Corporation of Barbados;

• established the Export Promotion Corporation;

• established the National Petroleum Corporation;

• liberalised the lending policies of the BarbadosDevelopment Bank to assist small business andthe entrepreneurial class;

• completed nationalisation of the public transport system;

• leaalised minibus ooerations.

.. .The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) 15

In every area of governmental activity, the B.L.RGovernments of 1976-86 left their indelible marks. Hereare someother samples.

• Women's Affairs. The 1976 Manifesto proclaimed a "Charter for Women". The thenAttorney-General, Henry Forde Q.C., established a National Commission on the Status ofWomen. It made 212 recommendations, mostofwhich were implemented and have been thecatalyst for the spectacular rise of women toprominence in Barbadian society in the ensuing 22 years.

• Extensive Social legislation was passed e.g. theStatus of Children Reform Act outlawing theconceptofillegitimacy, and theTenantries FreeholdPurchaseAct, a revolutionary pieceoflegislationgiving plantation tenants the right topurchase the plantation lots on which they livedfor 10 cents per square foot. This legislationhas greatly modernised housing in ruralBarbados;

• A massive housing programme involving bothpublic andprivate contractors saw 1200housesbuilt peryear. Public housing areas were developed at Ferniehurst, Rosemont, Wotton,Haynesville, Kensington Lodge, Oxnards, interalia;

• Electricity services were installed island-wide

16 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

Home ownership was promoted through arecapitalised Barbados Mortgage Finance Companyand an expanded Housing Welfare Schemeand General Workers' Loan Scheme;

The Tom Adams Highway was built and planswere drawn for a new Highway 2A;

The BridgetownPort was redeveloped and thenew Grantley Adams International Airportopened;

The Barbados Drug Servicewas established providingfree medication for certain categories ofpatient;

Polyclinics were constructed at the Glebe, St.Georgeand Warrens to decentralisehealth services;

Introduction of Home Help servicesfor the poorand indigent;

Workers laid offor made redundant became enti

tled to benefits through the UnemploymentBenefit Scheme;

Credit unions grewrapidlyin both numbers andassets through creative taxation allowance policies;

The qualifying age for receipt of old age pen-_• J J C i—

18 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

• A new Central Bank headquarters was constructed and is nowappropriately named"TheTom Adams Financial Centre";

• The National Cultural Foundation was estab-^. lished;

• Several important pieces of legislation wereenacted including the PROPERTY ACT, theADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE ACT, IMMIGRATION ACT, the OMBUDSMAN ACT,FAMILY LAW ACT, COMPANIES ACT.

Tom Adams unfortunately died of a heart attackon March 11, 1985. He was succeeded byBernard St.John as Prime Minister. St. John had little time tosettle into the position before the General Election of1986. In that Election the B.L.P. suffered its worst electoral defeatwinning only three seats - HenryForde Q.C.,Owen Arthur and David Simmons Q.C. Forde becameLeader oftheOpposition andserved as Political Leader oftheParty until hevoluntorily resigned the position in1993.

POST 1986

Henry Forde, Owen Arthur and David Simmonsundertook the daunting task of keeping the B.L.R aliveandvibrant against the twenty-four parliamentarians DLPGovernment of24. Theybroughtto their responsibilitiesgreat intellectual power, political know-how andtremendous energy to suchan extent that their efforts contributed in no small measure to the Party's resurgence in the

ChAPTER:31994

To

PRESENT TIME

n September 6, 1994, the Barbados LabourParty was returned to Government with vietories in 19 out of the 28 constituencies. Suc

cess was foreshadowed in the passing of a No ConfidenceMotion brought by Owen Arthur, the then Leader of theOpposition B.L.R

As the third B.L.R Prime Minister of this century,Owen Arthur formed a Cabinet including Billie Miller,Deputy Prime Minister, David Simmons, George Payne,Rawle Eastmond, RudolphGreenidge, MiaMottley, Elizabeth Thompson, Philip Goddard, Glyne Murray andReginaldFarley.

The task of the new B.L.R Government was torebuild Barbados which had been devastated and thrownintodeep recession during the years 1991 to 1994 underthe D.L.R It was mandatory that confidence be restoredin Barbados anditsgovernment; that theeconomy beputon a sustainable path ofgrowth; that the foreign reservesbe replenished and fiscal discipline restored; thatthe people be putback towork. Poverty had to be alleviated andthe workingclassneeded empowerment.

T*-> (i 1Q04 rbp R.T..P

20 .. .The Barbados Labour Party {1938 -1998)

• Confidence has been restored and there has beena consequentialbuild up of Foreign Reserves tospectacular levels ($650 million) from the na'cUr of $13 million in January 1993.

• Each year under the B.L.P the economy hasregistered growth. Growth in 1997 was 3%.

• Constructionhasbeenboomingand contributed7%toG.D.P.inl997.

• Unemployment has been reduced from 26%under the D.L.R to 12%.

• Tourism has grown annually registering 10%growth over the last two years.

• Manufacturing has grownannually.

• Offshore Financial Services have grown annually, andtheGovernmenthaswidened the typesof offshore financial vehicle by the enactmentof the SOCIETIES WITH RESTRICTEDLIABILITY ACT and the INTERNATIONALTRUSTS ACT. A MUTUAL FUNDS BILL isbeforeParliament. This sector employsapproximately 9 000 persons.

• Non-sugar agriculture has grown byover 12%and sugar production has moved from 38 000toimes in 1994 to 64 000 in 1997.

...The Barbados LabourParty (1938 -1998) 21

ration ofover 1 400 lots.• Sporting infrastructure isbeing expandedanda

new Astroturf for field hockey has been constructed.

• Rural and Urban Development Commissionshavebeensetuptoupgrade facilities andamenities in rural and urban Barbadosin order to buildstrong, modem communities, and to stimulateenterpriseand create jobs.

• Poverty alleviation isbeingtackled in a systematic and co-ordinated wayfor the first time. In1997and 1998Governmenthas contributed$10millionin support of this strategy.

• A Social Investment Fund of another $10 million has also been legislated.

• AnEDUTECH projectexpending $300millionover the next seven years has begun with theaimandobjectiveofmaking school childrenandteachers computer literate in the twenty-firstcentury.

• Overall reported crime has declined by 39%between 1994 and October 1998.

• The Justice system, the Immigration Department, and the Police Forcehave been computerized.

• Legislation to support a new penal system

22 .. .The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

sentencing options of a non'custodial nature isready for Parliament.

Substantialroadimprovement projects are taking place in every constituency.

The ValueAddedTaxlegislationhas introduceda new system of indirect taxation, replacing11formerindirect taxesand reducing the pricesofseveral items. Thousands have also beenrelieved of the burden ofdirect taxes.

A new suite of Intellectual Propertylegislationwas enacted in 1998 and comprises the COPYRIGHTACT,UNFAIR COMPETITION ACT,GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS ACT,INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT,

Constitutional Reform is taking place and thereport of the CONSTITUTION REVIEWCOMMISSION under the Chairmanship of SirHenry Forde Q.C. will shordy be presented tothe Governor-General.

The existing Constitutionwasamendedin 1995to prevent a reductionin the salaries of publicofficers ever taking place again.

The enactment of legislation to provide securityof tenure for thousands of casualand temporaryemployees in the PublicService.

National Heroes Day was celebrated for the

.. .The Barbados LabourParty (1938 -1998) 23

28, 1998. Four former B.L.P. politicians werehonoured as National Heroes viz.Sir GrantleyAdams, SirHugh Springer, Sir Frank Walcottand Mr. Enrol Barrow.

Emancipation Day was also celebrated for thefirst time on August 1,1997.

In its external relations, Barbados resisted theimposition ofan acrimonious Shiprider Agreement with the U.S.A. and successfully negotiatedaMaritime Co-operationAgreementwhichpays due regard to Barbados' sovereignty andindependence.

In regional and international fora, the variousMinisters of the Government of Barbados havebeen playing leading and outstanding rolesbringing greatrespectand credit to theircountry.

Two Prices and Incomes Protocols between theGovernment, the TradeUnions and the PrivateSector have been negotiated to underpin economicstability andimprove Barbados* competitiveness.

A FacilitationUnit forReturningNationalshasbeenestablished to encourage Barbadians overseas to return with their movable assets free ofduties.

24 .. .The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

The Barbados Labour Party proudly celebrates twosignificant events in 1998. This year marks our sixtiethanniversary as a political organisation and it is also thecentenaryofthebirthofGrantley Adams, ourgreat leaderwho was bom on April 28,1898.

We believe that the formation of the Party was anhistoric necessity. Equally, we believe that in pursuanceof our historic role, we have served Barbados and theCaribbean well.

Wepledgeto continue our service

to our nation.