Bridgetown (Barbados) – Barbados parliament Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has issued a sharp warning to the Barbados government. He says in Barbados parliament that the country risks deepening a “constitutional vacuum” by moving forward with parliamentary reforms before overhauling its outdated Constitution.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Thorne called on the government to halt the process immediately. He urged Prime Minister Mia Mottley to publish the long-awaited Republican Constitution report instead.

Barbados parliament: “No Reform Without a New Constitution”

Thorne dismissed the 2024 Parliamentary Reform Commission’s report as irrelevant without a constitutional foundation.

“Parliamentary reform is only properly dealt with within the context of larger constitutional reform,” Thorne declared.

He stressed that Barbados cannot claim true republican status while still operating under a framework rooted in colonial-era Westminster governance.

Barbados parliament: Accusations of Political Inconsistency

Thorne criticised the Prime Minister’s decision to present the report to Parliament while distancing herself from some of its recommendations.

“If she disagrees with the report, why bring it here?” he asked.
“It’s politically unseemly.”

He accused the government of preserving prime ministerial dominance while paying lip service to democratic reform.

Barbados parliament: Concerns Over “National MPs” and Two-Tier Parliament

One controversial recommendation in the commission’s report—the introduction of “national MPs”—drew strong condemnation from Thorne.

He argued that it could create a two-tiered Parliament, similar to the British House of Commons and House of Lords.

“Are we reversing into the backward depths of Westminster?” Thorne asked.

He said the proposal goes against the spirit of equal representation and could fuel parliamentary elitism.

Call for Constitutional Priorities

Thorne insisted that real reform must begin with a Republican Constitution. He listed key priorities:

• Fixed election dates
• Stronger protection of public institutions
• An independent Speaker of the House

He stressed that any attempt at reform without constitutional backing is superficial.

“This country needs constitutional substance, not cosmetic changes,” he said.

What’s in the 2024 Parliamentary Reform Commission Report?

The report includes several recommendations:

• Restructuring Parliament
• Limiting ministerial appointments
• Increasing diversity and inclusion

However, Thorne argued these changes are meaningless without a legal and constitutional framework.

Final Word: “Republican in Name, Westminster in Practice”

Thorne closed his address with a warning.

“Until we adopt a true Republican Constitution, we remain stuck—republican in name but Westminster in practice.”

He urged the government to put the people’s business first by delivering the long-promised constitutional reform.

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