BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE
Such was the quality of his leadership and impact on
Barbados’ social landscape that Barrow received many
awards while serving as Head of Government. Among
them were an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from
McGill University of Canada in 1966 and the Lions
International “Head of State Award” for “outstanding
service to the country” in 1967.
He was guest of United States President Lyndon Johnson
in 1968, was made a Privy Councillor in 1969 and
authored “Canada’s Role in the West Indies” (published in
1964 by the Canadian Institute of International Affairs).
In his first 15-year administration, says Theodore Sealy in
his “Caribbean Leaders”, “it seems that social democracy
in bringing the people to be beneficiaries of the new kind
of state, freed as it is from the plantocracy, was the guiding
spirit of his administration”.
Barrow achieved:
democratisation of the educational process and expanded
free education to all levels – victory against segregation in
education;
the introduction of a National Insurance and Social
Security scheme;
school meals on an improved nutritional basis;
improved health services;
accelerated industrial development;
and considerable expansion of the tourist industry.
He took Barbados into Independence in November, 1966.
F.A. Hoyos in his “Builders of Barbados”, writes that,
propelled by Barrow’s defense of the sugar workers’ cause
in the country districts, during the deadlock between the
Barbados Workers’ Union and the Sugar Producers’
Federation over negotiations for increased wages, the DLP
won a decisive victory in the December 4, 1961 General
Elections. A crash programme of public works was
introduced to provide relief for the unemployed; roads
were repaired, land at Seawell and gullies across the island
were cleared; men were set to work to commence
canalisation of the Constitution River; secondary education
was made free in all government schools; a new deal was
arrived at for agricultural labourers and construction began
for 30 industries.
NOV 2014
Mr. Barrow made Barbados a member of the Organization
of American States and in 1968, with other regional
leaders, launched the Caribbean Free Trade Area, the
forerunner to CARICOM.
Having been selected by the people to lead Barbados into
Independence in 1966, Barrow thus brought to an end the
long process of decolonisation. His record of achievement
led to his DLP’s landslide victory in the September, 1971
General Elections, capturing 18 of the 24 seats in the
House of Assembly.
After 15 years in power, was defeated in the General
Elections of 1976 by a resurgent BLP under J.M.G.M.
“Tom” Adams and spent the next ten years (1976-1986) in
Opposition.
In 1986, at the age of 66 years, he again led his party to
power, winning the General Elections by the largest ever
margin of seats in Barbados’ history 24-3.
Sadly, Errol Barrow did not live long enough to enjoy this
victory. After only one year in office he died on June 1,
1987. He had, however, left an impressive record: First
Prime Minister 1966-1976; “Father of Independence”,
supporter of the UWI and regional unity; designer of a
modern system of public budgeting; architect of the
University of the West Indies Campus at Cave Hill,
Barbados; creator of the Barbados Community College; co
-founder of the Caribbean Free Trade Association
(CARIFTA); inspiration for lowering the age of majority
from 21 to 18 and co-founder of CARICOM. (It was said
of him that “He found Barbados a collection of villages,
and transformed it into a proud nation.”)
In reality, Barbados did not have to fight against Britain to
achieve Independence, but in one of his speeches, Barrow
argued that he would not “be found loitering on the steps
of the British colonial office”. Many interpreted this to
mean that if there was British resistance to the move
towards full autonomy, Barbados would not wait around to
beg for it.
Grateful Barbadians observe the birthday of Errol Walton
Barrow on January 21 as a national holiday, and have a
constant reminder of his life and service for his likeness is
widely circulated on the island’s $50 note, popularly
known as “an Errol”.
*Source: “National Heroes of Barbados”, published by The
Barbados Government Information Service. Information
provided by Government of Barbados.
www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | [email protected] | @BajanSunOnline