Barbados ready to dump British political system

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) -- With experience of the Westminster parliamentary system for 375 years in their consciousness, Barbadian politicians are saying they want a change from this adversarial mode of governance.

Speaker of Parliament, Michael Carrington, on Thursday said the one reservation he had regarding Barbados's Parliament is that the adapted the British Westminster system, which, "appeared to pit Government and Opposition inexorably against each other in aggressive, contentious and oftimes seemingly unnecessary confrontation".

Carrington, an elected member of government, was speaking at a joint meeting of the two chambers of parliament -- House of Assembly and Senate -- to mark the 375th anniversary of that institution in Barbados.

"Hunkering down behind traditional battle lines of political tribalism cannot help this country," Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley, said, adding “bipartisan cooperation, led by a new generation of patriots who put the national interest above all else, is what Barbados needs".

"Genuine parliamentary reform must find creative ways to embrace all talents and welcome all constructive contributions," she said.

Within the Commonwealth, only the British Parliament, started in 1215, and the Bermuda Parliament, that began in 1620, are older than the Barbados Parliament.