4^^

Achievements

BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY

(1938-1998) FOREWORD Chapter:1 Jtis undoubted that the Labour Party THE has rendered distinguished service EARLY to the people of our nation during the sixty yearsof its existence. YEARS The Executive Committee of die National Council considereditappropriate thatwe set outin one document some of the major achievements of the Party from 1938 (the yearofformation) to 1998 (the DiamondJubileeYear). As Chairman of the Party I am delighted that we his document does not purport to bea history of have been able to put together in this booklet some of ^11 the . It merely seeks to those achievements to ensure that the historical record is record inpermanent form in the sixtieth year of available in permanent formfor all to recall and evaluate the Barbados Labour Party (1998) SOME only of the the contribution of the Party to national development. achievements of the oldest political organisation in the My profound gratitude is extended to Nigel Bar English speaking Caribbean. It isintended to be an aide row, Victor Hinkson, Kimberley Haynes, Michael Rud memoire and a reference point of some of the contribu der and CaswellFranklyn for their research assistance. I tions of the Party to the growth and development of thank too, Prestige Printery,especiallyTrevor andGeoffrey Barbados. Prescod, for their help in printing this booklet. My fervent wish is that all who read this booklet TheBarbados Labour Party was bomout ofthepov will find its contents illuminating. erty and distress ofthe 1930's -aperiod ofgrave political, social andeconomic oppression andinequality in Barba t dosand the Caribbean. In theWestIndianterritories hun ger, deprivation, hardship and abject poverty were the lot of the working classes. The average wage ofanagricultural worker was 24 cents per day! Itis not difficult, therefore, toimagine the social and economic conditions which gave rise to the DAVID A.C. SIMMONS Q.C., M.R disturbances that were an inevitable consequence of the Chairman times and which swept through the Caribbean in the October 1998 1930's.The disturbances that beganon July26,1937 are a watershed in the history of Barbados. 4 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) ...The Barbados LabourParty (1938-1998) 5

Labour Party was formally launched as a political organi for workers in the various branches of industry sation on March 31,1938. For a short time this organisa and commerce, soasto enablethem toconduct tion was subsequently renamed "The Barbados Progres themselves in their respective organisations in sive League" but, eventually, it resumed its original such a manner as to avoid all possibility of nomenclature. Grantley Adams (later Sir Grantley) was future action which may be subversive of law elected as its leader. and order. The Party was a broad-based political institution representing the interests of a wide section of the working class. Its early leadership was drawn from selfless mem 4. lb endeavour topromote andco-operate in the formation ofsimilar organisations inall parts of bers of the middle class, for example, Chrissie Brathwaite, the British West Indies. a City merchant, who wasits first Chairman, EdwyTalma * (later Sir Edwy), a conveyancer, James A. Martineau, a businessman, Dr. Hugh Gordon Cummins, Wynter As a result of the disturbances which swept the Crawford, journalist and Hope Stevens, a St. Kitts lawyer Caribbean in 1937, the British Government which then based in the U.SA. had responsibility for the Colony ofBarbados established aRoyal Commission under Lord Moyne to investigate the The broad aims and objectives of the Party were: causes andcircumstances ofthedisturbances andto make recommendations. 1. lb provide political expression for the law-abid As Leader of the Barbados LabourParty, Grantley ing inhabitants of the country, enabling them Adams seized theopportunity to appear before thedbm- to participate in the development of democratic mission and he spared no pains in articulating the institutions, promote the social and economic concerns andplight ofBarbadians. Adams performance development of its people and assist in the was a virtual tourdeforce andrepresented theParty's first major national triumph. Inprotesting the social, economic extension of all principles of good government. and political conditions ofthe time (1939) Adams madea 2. To foster goodwill between employers and + number of outstanding and far-reaching submissions. employees in industrial and commercial activi Perhaps his two most telling submissions were proposals ties and to enlist the co -operationof all persons for raicalchange in the plantation system and the intro interested in the welfare and progress of the duction of universal adult suffrage. Itwas during this period thatHugh Worrell Springer Island. (later Sir Hugh), lawyer and scholar, returned from 3. Tostimulate on the part of the people an intel England and joined Grantley Adams on the local political ligent outlook on social, economic and politi- scene. From 1939 to 1947 Springer played a very signifi- ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938-1998) 7 6 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

• Universal adult suffrage. and a capacity for hard work. He and Adams promoted the causes of the working class with vigour and flair. They By 1944 the Party was able toinclude in itsMani launched an assault on the position of the merchant- festo pledges the view that "every man and woman should planter oligarchy. have the right to stand for election to the House of Assembly whether they be rich orpoor." Inthe 1944 Gen The first taste ofelectoral success for the B.L.R was eral Elections, the Party increased itsnumerical strength in the General Elections of 1940. The Party won 5 seats in the House of Assembly to eight and it was able to in the House of Assembly. The successful candidates were: agitate for:- Grantley Adams, , Dr. Cummins, Victor Vaughan and Graham Gittens. • increased old age pensions;

The next strategy, having achieved a measure of • improved conditions forshop assistants; political success, was to organise the working class. Thus, Adams and Springer immediately set about to establish a • penal reform; Trade Union through the formation of the Peasants' Association. Next they formed a Friendlysociety with the • jobs forBarbadians in theU.S.A.; slogan: "Three Units, one aim: raising the livingstandards of the working classes." The third Unit was in fact the • tlie organisationof the Police Force. Barbados Workers' Union which was established as an affiliate ofthe Barbados Labour Party on October 4,1941. The Party was an undoubtedly effective political Adams was the Union's first President and Springer its first force in the 1940's. Its influence was island-wide and of Secretary. * such importance that itgained representation onthe Gov The Barbados Workers' Union survives to this day ernor's Executive (Committee, thepolicy-making organ of as the premier Trade Union in Barbados, highly respected the then Governmentof Barbados. Indeed, the Barbados regionallyand internationally. Labour Party was the Party of Government after 1946 although for some time itwas inacoalition with Cbngress The Party promoted suck measures as: Party. After the 1946 election came the famous Bushe • Workmen's Compensation legislation; Experiment inwhich Grandey Adams was invited by Gov ernor Sir Grattan Bushe to nominate members to the • A Wages Board and Labour Department; Executive (Committee. The nominated members were:

c JL- .j__r Li—f rco Adams, Springer, Wynter Crawford, and Hugh Blackman. 8 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) ...The Barbados LabourParty (1938-1998) 9

Hugh Springer who resignedfrom the House of Assembly Assembly to become the first and only Prime Minister of and the Union to pursue a career in Education. Springer the Federation of the West Indies (1958-1962). had been a Tutor at and a memberof Cabinet and Ministerial Government came to Bar the Committee whose recommendations led to the estab bados for the first time in 1954 and Adams chose as his lishment of the University College of the West Indies. He first Ministers Cox, Miller,Mapp and Cummins. leftBarbados to take upthepostofRegistrar at the incipi ent University College of the West Indies in Jamaica. Some ofthe achievements ofthe B.L.R Governments Adams felt the loss of his political lieutenant acutely but (1951-1961) were as follows: he soldiered on. He regrouped his loyal forces and infused the Party • Introduction of Holidayswith Payfor workers. with new blood. Frank Walcott (later Sir Frank), who had earlier been recruited bySpringer to join the Party and the • Introduction of Free Secondary Education at Union became General Secretary of the Barbados the then Secondary Modern Schools of St. Workers' Union and served with great distinction for Leonard's, Parkinson, West St.Joseph, Princess almost 40 years. Margaret.

The B.L.R formed its first Government on its own • A basic school feeding programme of biscuits in 1948 - the year of its tenth anniversary as a political and milkin primaryschools. organisation. But itscored its most resounding victory in the Gen • Establishment of the Technical Institute, the eral Election of1951. ThatElectionwas the first in which forerunner ofthePolytechnic, to teachtheyouth each and everyBarbadian over the ageof 21 became eligi vocational skills. ble to vote. One man, one vote, came to Barbados through the efforts of the Barbados Labour Party. • Establishment of Health Centres in strategic There were some notable victories in that Election. locations at Enmore, Six Cross Roads and Returning with Adams to the House of Assembly were Speightstown. persons like Mencea Cox, Freddie Miller, Ronald Mapp, Dr.Cummins, Frank Walcott. Ermie Bourne (later • Establishment of the Development Board asthe Dame Ermie) was the first woman ever to enter the House forerunner of the Industrial Development of Assembly. Corporation topromote industrial development. The B.L.P. won the elections of 1951 and 1956. Adams became the first Premier of Barbados on the • Establishment of the Tourist Board to promote arrainmenr nffull inrpmal splf-oovfrnmpnt'artd rbal- .. __ J J: 1 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) 11 10 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) • Intheperiod 1951-61 black persons first gained • HotelAids legislation to assistindeveloping the employment in banks. tourist industry. • Provision ofHousing Loans for Public Officers. • Promotionoffamily planning and birthcontrol. • Introduction of Fisheries Legislation. • Commencing the study for a National Insurance Scheme which was eventually implemented by • Provision of loans for higher education. theD.L.Rinl967. • Enactment ofPublic Utilities legislation. • Redevelopment ofSeawellAirportasitwas then called. • Enactment ofthe Housing Act.

• The construction of the modern • Enactment ofa Factories Act. Port. Theyear 1958 was one ofgreat significance in the • Construction of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. history of the B.L.R It was the year of elections to the Federal Parliament of the West Indies. Several of the • The construction of the massive Government Labour Parties oftheregion combined toform theFederal Headquarters at BayStreet, providing facilities Labour Party under the leadership of the greatJamaican for the Government and Ministries. patriot, Norman Washington Manley. The Barbados Labour Party contested the Federal • Construction of the first public housing units elections under Grantley Adams' leadership andwon four in St. Michael, Christ Church, St. Philip. of the five seats, Adams, who became Prime Minister of the Federation had with him, VictorVaughan, Gilmore • Enactment of the PROTECTION of WAGES Rocheford andDeighton Ward. Florence Daysh, though ACT. not a member of the Federal Labour Party, won a seat in Barbados andsteadfastly supported Adams in the Federal • Constructionof policestations and post offices. Parliament. Dr. Amott Cato fiater Sir Amott) and Sir Archibald Cuke were Barbados' nominees to the Senate, • In 1955 th,e B.L.R Governmentwas tlie first West presided overforsometime by Cato. Indian Government to ban the importation of Adams' departure to the Federation left a vacuum goods fromSouth Africa. in the leadershio of the B.L.R His charisma and public 12 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) ChAPTER:2 Cummins succeeded Adams as Premier. The Partysuffered defeat in the General Elections of December 1961 when the Democratic Labour Party and the Conservatives coordinated their campaigns to ensure a D.L.R victory. The B.L.R remainedin Oppositionfor 15 years until 1976 whenit regained the reins ofgovernment under the leadershipof Grandey Adams' son, the late . During the wilderness years, the B.L.R relentlessly I; rebuiltitself, recruited "new blood" but, always,kept faith with its supporters and its aims and objectives. In the /•g' ust as it was Grantley Adams (In the words of period 1961-1976, the Partyattracted a numberof young, Sir Hugh Springer "the people called him *Mo bright,idealistic, committed politicalpersonages whowere ( ses*)" who led the people of Barbados out of the to playmajor andoutstanding roles in the service oftheir oppression and depression of the 1930's, soit was nation after 1976. thatinSeptember 1976, Sir Grantley's son, John Michael Some ofthese were: Tom Adams, Bernard St. John Geoffrey Manningham Adams ("Tom"), rose up to lead (later SirHarold),HenryForde, DavidSimmons, Richard Barbados outof die social and economic devastation vis Cheltenham, Louis Tull, Billie Miller, Lionel Craig, L.B. itedonthecountry by theDemocratic Labour Party which Brathwaite, Victor Johnson, Nigel Barrow. proved incapable ofcountering thedifficulties engendered bythe oil crisis of the earlyseventies. The signs of ultimate success were first seen in a Bye-Election ofFebruary, 1976, when David Simmons won a famous victory in St. Philip North. The swing against ft the D.L.R in that Bye-Election was 33%. Ina second Bye- Election inthe City ofBridgetown (May 1976), Billie Miller f became only the second woman (and a B.L.R candidate at that!) to wina seatin the House ofAssembly. In the General ElectionofSeptember, the B.L.E won 17 of the 24 seats. TomAdams became Prime Minister, "Bree" St.John his Deputy andBillie Miller was appointed the first female Cabinet Minister. Members of the Cabi net 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 Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) 15

The B.L.R parUamentary team of 1976 to 1981 was In every area of governmental activity, the B.L.R dubbed "The Great dbmbination", a nomenclature well- Governments of 1976-86 left their indelible marks. Here deserved when it is remembered that on the back-bench are someother samples. were men of the calibre of David Simmons, "Johnnie" Cheltenham, VicJohnson. • Women's Affairs. The 1976 Manifesto pro The B.L.R Governments of 1976-86 were reformist, claimed a "Charter for Women". The then socialist and visionary. They transformed the social and Attorney-General, Henry Forde Q.C., estab economic landscape at great pace but always applying lished a National Commission on the Status of sound management practices in thegovernance ofBarba Women. It made 212 recommendations, most dos. ofwhichwere implemented and have been the True to their socialistphilosophy, the Governments catalyst for the spectacular rise of women to promoted the mixed economy, giving due incentives tothe prominence in Barbadian society in the ensu private sector todevelop andgrow while at thesame time, ing 22 years. seeking State intervention in key strategic areas of eco nomic activity. Thus, forexample, the B.L.R:- • Extensive Social legislation was passed e.g. the Status of Children Reform Act outlawing the • created the Barbados National Bank; conceptofillegitimacy, and theTenantries Free holdPurchaseAct, a revolutionary pieceoflegis • created the Insurance Corporation of Barbados; lationgiving plantationtenantstherighttopur chase the plantation lots on which they lived • establishedthe Export Promotion Corporation; for 10 cents per square foot. This legislation has greatly modernised housing in ruralBarba • established the National Petroleum Corpora dos; tion; •A massive housing programme involving both • liberalised the lending policies of the Barbados public andprivate contractors saw 1200houses Development Bank to assist small business and built peryear. Public housing areas were devel the entrepreneurial class; oped at Ferniehurst, Rosemont, Wotton, Haynesville, Kensington Lodge, Oxnards, inter • completed nationalisation of the publictrans alia; portsystem; • Electricity services were installed island-wide • leaalised minibus ooerations. ...The Barbados LabourParty (1938 -1998) 17 16 ...The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) also undertook the payment ofwaterrates and Home ownership was promoted through a electricity chargesfor pensioners. recapitalised Barbados Mortgage Finance Com panyand an expanded Housing Welfare Scheme 6000 newschool places were created for primary and General Workers' Loan Scheme; school students; The Tom Adams Highway was built and plans A National Training Board under theChairman were drawn for a new Highway 2A; ship of Sir Hugh Springer was created to provide skills training and work experience for The BridgetownPort was redeveloped and the the youth. new Grantley Adams International Airport opened; The National SportsCouncil was set up toorga nise and develop sport across the Island and The Barbados Drug Servicewas established pro many, many, pavilions and playing fields were vidingfree medication for certain categories of built in everyparish; patient;

Polyclinics were constructed at the Glebe, St. In the Caribbean, the Tom Adams Government Georgeand Warrens to decentralisehealth serv played a leading role in theGrenada Interven tion of 1983; ices; The U.S.base at Harrison's, St. Lucywas closed Introductionof Home Help servicesfor the poor and the B.L.P. Government recognised the and indigent; Peoples Republic of China ending the unenlightened "Two China" policy. The infa Workers laidofformade redundantbecame enti mousHARPproject, whichallowed the testing tled to benefits through the Unemployment Benefit Scheme; ofguns for use in South Africa was closed;

Credit unions grewrapidlyin both numbers and A Financial Services sector was begun with assets through creative taxation allowance poli statutory infrastructure such as the Offshore Banking ActandtheExempt Insurance Actand cies; FOREIGN SALES CORPORATION ACT The qualifying age for receipt of old age pen- _• J JC i—

• A new Central Bank headquarters was con ChAPTER:3 structed and isnowappropriately named"The Tom Adams Financial Centre"; 1994

• The National Cultural Foundation was estab- To ^. lished; PRESENT TIME • Several important pieces of legislation were enacted including the PROPERTY ACT, the ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE ACT, IMMI GRATION ACT, the OMBUDSMAN ACT, n September 6, 1994, the Barbados Labour FAMILY LAW ACT, COMPANIES ACT. Party was returned to Government with vie tories in 19 out of the 28 constituencies. Suc Tom Adams unfortunately died of a heart attack cess was foreshadowed in the passing of a No Confidence on March 11, 1985. He was succeeded byBernard St. Motion brought by , the then Leader of the John as Prime Minister. St.John had little time to Opposition B.L.R settle into the position before the General Election of As the third B.L.R Prime Minister of this century, 1986. In that Election the B.L.P. suffered its worst elec Owen Arthur formed a Cabinet including Billie Miller, toraldefeatwinning only three seats - HenryForde Q.C., Deputy Prime Minister, David Simmons, George Payne, Owen Arthur and David Simmons Q.C. Forde became Rawle Eastmond, RudolphGreenidge, MiaMottley, Eliza Leader oftheOpposition andserved as Political Leader of beth Thompson, Philip Goddard, Glyne Murray and theParty until hevoluntorily resigned the position in1993. ReginaldFarley. The task of the new B.L.R Government was to rebuild Barbados which had been devastated and thrown POST 1986 intodeep recession during the years 1991 to 1994 under the D.L.R It was mandatory that confidence be restored Henry Forde, Owen Arthur and David Simmons in Barbados anditsgovernment; that theeconomy beput undertook the daunting task of keeping the B.L.R alive on a sustainable path ofgrowth; that the foreign reserves andvibrant against thetwenty-four parliamentarians DLP be replenished and fiscal discipline restored; thatthe peo Government of24. Theybroughtto their responsibilities ple be putback towork. Poverty had to be alleviated and great intellectual power, political know-how andtremen the workingclassneeded empowerment. dous energy to suchan extent that their efforts contrib uted in no small measure to the Party's resurgence in the T*-> (i 1Q04 rbp R.T..P ...The Barbados LabourParty (1938-1998) 21 20 .. .The Barbados Labour Party {1938 -1998) ration ofover 1 400 lots. • Confidencehas beenrestoredandthere hasbeen • Sporting infrastructure isbeing expanded anda a consequentialbuild upof Foreign Reserves to new Astroturf for field hockey has been con spectacular levels ($650 million) from the na' structed. cUr of $13 million in January 1993. • Rural and Urban Development Commissions • Each year under the B.L.P the economy has havebeensetuptoupgrade facilities andameni registered growth. Growth in 1997 was 3%. tiesinrural and urbanBarbadosinorder to build strong, modem communities, and to stimulate • Constructionhasbeenboomingand contributed enterpriseand create jobs. 7%toG.D.P.inl997. • Poverty alleviation isbeingtackled in a system • Unemployment has been reduced from 26% atic and co-ordinated wayfor the first time. In under the D.L.R to 12%. 1997and 1998Governmenthas contributed$10 millionin support of this strategy. • Tourism has grown annually registering 10% growth over the last two years. • A Social Investment Fund ofanother $10 mil lion has also been legislated. • Manufacturing has grownannually. • AnEDUTECH project expending $300million • Offshore Financial Services have grown annu over the next seven years has begun with the ally, andtheGovernment haswidened the types aimandobjective ofmaking school childrenand of offshore financial vehicle by the enactment teachers computer literate in the twenty-first of the SOCIETIES WITH RESTRICTED century. LIABILITY ACT and the INTERNATIONAL TRUSTS ACT. A MUTUAL FUNDS BILL is • Overall reported crime has declined by 39% beforeParliament. This sector employsapproxi between 1994 and October 1998. mately 9 000 persons. • The Justice system, the Immigration Depart • Non-sugar agriculture has grown byover 12% ment, and the Police Forcehave been compu and sugar production has moved from 38 000 terized. toimes in 1994 to 64 000 in 1997. • Legislation to support a new penal system 22 .. .The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998) .. .The Barbados LabourParty (1938-1998) 23

sentencing options of a non'custodial nature is 28, 1998. Four former B.L.P. politicians were readyfor Parliament. honoured as National Heroes viz.Sir Grantley Adams, SirHugh Springer, Sir Frank Walcott Substantialroadimprovement projects are tak and Mr. Enrol Barrow. ing place in every constituency. Emancipation Day was also celebrated for the The ValueAddedTaxlegislationhas introduced first time on August 1,1997. a new system of indirect taxation, replacing11 formerindirect taxesand reducingthe pricesof In its external relations, Barbados resisted the several items. Thousands have also been imposition ofan acrimonious Shiprider Agree relieved of the burden ofdirect taxes. ment with the U.S.A. and successfully negoti atedaMaritime Co-operationAgreement which A new suite of Intellectual Propertylegislation pays due regard to Barbados' sovereignty and was enacted in 1998 and comprises the COPY independence. RIGHTACT,UNFAIR COMPETITION ACT, GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS ACT, In regional and international fora, the various INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT, Ministers ofthe GovernmentofBarbados have been playing leading and outstanding roles Constitutional Reform is taking place and the bringing greatrespectand credit to theircoun report of the CONSTITUTION REVIEW try. COMMISSION under the Chairmanship of Sir Henry Forde Q.C. willshordy be presented to Two Prices and Incomes Protocols between the the Governor-General. Government,the TradeUnions and the Private Sector have been negotiated to underpin eco The existing Constitutionwasamendedin 1995 nomicstability andimprove Barbados* competi to prevent a reductionin the salaries of public tiveness. officers ever taking place again. A FacilitationUnit forReturningNationalshas The enactment of legislation to provide secu beenestablished to encourage Barbadians over rityof tenure for thousands of casualand tem seas to return with their movable assets free of poraryemployees in the PublicService. duties.

National Heroes Day was celebrated for the 24 .. .The Barbados Labour Party (1938 -1998)

The Barbados Labour Party proudly celebrates two significant events in 1998. This year marks our sixtieth anniversary as a political organisation and it is also the centenary ofthebirthofGrantley Adams, ourgreat leader who was bom on April 28,1898.

We believe that the formation of the Party was an historic necessity. Equally, we believe that in pursuance of our historic role, we have served Barbados and the Caribbean well.

Wepledge to continue our service to our nation.