On 30 November-1 December, the Caribbean nation of Barbados became a republic, removing the UK monarch as its head of state.
The English monarchy took control of Barbados from 1625, wiping out the island’s indigenous population and creating a society based on slavery. The forced labour of black Barbadians played a crucial role in the rise of the first capitalist empire: by 1660 Barbados generated more trade than all other English colonies combined.
Enslaved Barbadians resisted fiercely, including through a major uprising in 1816, an important precursor to the abolition of slavery in the British empire. The country remained a British colony until 1966.
“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind”, commented new president Sandra Mason. To actually do that will take a socialist revolution in Barbados, the UK and worldwide. More immediately, Barbados and other Caribbean governments have demands for aid and redress from the UK and other European governments. Nonetheless, ditching the British monarchy is a noteworthy step.
Barbados’ Labour government — elected in a huge landslide in 2018 — is far from radical, let alone socialist, but it does seem committed to some progressive changes, for example the introduction of same-sex civil unions and a referendum on introducing same-sex marriage.
Commentators have cited the Black Lives Matter movement, the Windrush scandal and revelations about racism in the royal family as factors contributing to the debate in Barbados and the eventual decision.
There is also talk of other Commonwealth countries following this lead.
We should follow it too. Abolish the monarchy!
• More:
Abolish the monarchy — fight for democracy (2021)
Abolish the monarchy! Up the republic! (2012)
“A prop for privilege” — speech by Tony Benn (2003)
