Current System
The current system, called first-past-the-post-system or FPTP for short, DOES NOT give an opposition automatically as you now know. Only a Proportional Representation System can automatically lead to the creation of an opposition.
However, as the excerpt below from its report shows, the Constitutional Reform Commission is recommending that we continue using the same old, problematic, the first-past-the-post-system. Why has it no recommended a Proportional Representation System? What research did it conduct to cause it to draw the conclusion that a first-past-the-post-system is best for this country?
The Constitutional Reform Commission website is located here.
The answer seems pretty clear to us: the Constitutional Reform Commission wants to keep the status quo or the way things are done in Barbados. The attempt to preserve the status quo becomes even clearer when you read the section dealing with appointments to the Senate which is another matter of concern.
What is really happening then is that the Old Guard in Barbados, embodied in the members of the Constitutional Reform Commission, that do not want any changes in the access of the elite to power in this country. Power is governmental authority. Such power is necessary to run the country.
Incidentally, there is nothing inherently evil about governmental authority. It was created by God himself and delegated to man to run human society.
But can it be abused? Oh yes, indeed!
Now the fact that that you have heard nothing about this issue from the current official opposition tells you all you need to know. Namely, that the current 2 party system is seeking to perpetuate itself. Indeed, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the opposition would like to win all 30 seats in the next election due in about one year. It is very possible under the current system!
What the retention of the means the first-past-the-post-system really means is that young people, who may have something meaningful to contribute to political life in Barbados AND, who in addition, wish to distance themselves from the malfeasances of the two so-called established parties, will find little scope to make such a contribution other than by joining one or other of the two.
In the final analysis, what the CRC recommendation alarmingly implies is that for the foreseeable future, unless we abort this recommendation, we can expect the possibility of more 30-0 election outcomes.
The question then is: what should be our response to this development?
The answer is that we need to press for and adopt a Proportional Representation System in Barbados. Indeed, I recommend it for all of our Caribbean neighbours.
But what is a Proportional Representation System, how does it work and most importantly, why is it better for our democracy? This page addresses these and other pertinent questions.