Today (16 February 2026) the other ministers of government of Barbados and Senators will be sworn in by the President of Barbados Jeffery Bostic. Prime Minister Mottley and Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams have already had the honour. For the third time since 2018, there are no elected opposition members of parliament. Therefore, a Leader of the Opposition cannot be selected, required by the Constitution of Barbados.

In 2019 the Reverend Joseph Atherley ‘crossed’ the floor. He formed The People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PdP). In 2024 Ralph Thorne ‘crossed’ and became a member of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP). This time around loud whispers can be heard – who will be the one to cross to fill the important post of Leader of the Opposition.

Prime Minister Mottley is attempting to quell growing cynicism. Concerns about the robustness of our democratic system have been raised. In an early post-election statement, she voiced that anti-defection legislation will be introduced. By the way, has The Integrity in Public Life Bill/Integrity in Public Life Act (2023) been proclaimed?

During any period in which there is a vacancy in the office of Leader of the Opposition by reason of the fact that no person is both qualified in accordance with this Constitution for and willing to accept, appointment to that office, the President shall—

(a) act in his discretion in the exercise of any function in respect of which it is provided in this Constitution that the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition; and

(b) act on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in the exercise of any function in respect of which it is provided in this Constitution that the President shall act on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.”

_{Here is what the Constitution of Barbados says about the matter – Blogmaster}

One of the biggest ironies is that our newly minted President of Barbados will have the awesome responsibility of selecting opposition Senators. A situation made interesting because Bostic just retired from active politics in 2022 from serving in the Mottley Cabinet.

Barbadians voted to reelect a Mottley led government for a third time. However, the result has been coloured by questions about an inaccurate voter’s list. Those chomping on the red meat are happy with the result, others are very concerned about a fault line that has appeared in our system of democracy. We are seeing the solidification of a dominant Barbados Labour Party in Barbados.

Barbados now enters yet another parliamentary term without an elected Opposition, a situation that continues to expose a fracture in our governance framework. The Constitution provisions for an Opposition Leader for good reason: a dissenting voice in the House is non negotiable in an adversarial system. When that role must be filled through workarounds, rather than democratic selection by Barbadians, it signals that we have a structural problem.

I  hope the BLP govt makes parliamentary reform a front burner issue in this term. I think most people thought that the 30-0 situation in parliament was transient i.e. I thought it would last, at most, two general elections. Even before this. The “first past the post” system always had it weaknesses.

In my opinion, it is time to implement some form of proportional representation. Since we have a bicameral legislature and we don’t directly elect senators, proportional representation can easily be implementing in the senate, The “first past the post system” in the lower house can continue as is in the Lower House. It would be a less complicated but straightforward solution have major parties( based on votes) be represented in parliament…

Source: Disgusting Lies and Propaganda TV

It is worth repeating that we have a President who only recently stepped away from partisan politics that must now shoulder the responsibility of appointing opposition Senators – even as the public awaits clarity on promised anti‑defection legislation and the long‑stalled proclamation of integrity laws. Is it any wonder public apathy and cynicism towards the electoral system is at an all time high?