BARBADOS (Commonwealth Union)_ Barbados has stated that November 30 will no longer be known as Independence Day, but will instead be known as Barbados National Day to encompass celebrations for the country’s republican status, causing an immediate public outcry. Prime Minister Mia Mottley, on the other hand, has backed the choice.
The stunning revelation came from the Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams on Tuesday, as Barbadians prepared to celebrate the 56th anniversary of independence from Britain, which also coincided with the country’s transition to a republic.
“Last Thursday, the Barbados Cabinet decided to declare November 30th as Barbados National Day, marking our independence from Britain in 1966 and our transition to a parliamentary republic in 2021,” Abrahams stated. “The national celebrations on November 30 will top off a month-long celebration that will feature sporting events, cultural and heritage-inspired activities, and the lighting ceremony on [Tuesday] afternoon.”
The announcement occurred just over a year after Prime Minister Mottley stated in a national address that the country’s transition to republicanism would not result in a change in the name of Independence Day.
“The flag has not changed. The name of Independence Day remains unchanged, as does the name of Barbados. Barbados is simply Barbados. Barbados is not the Commonwealth of Barbados, nor is it the Republic of Barbados; it is simply Barbados. We are also not modifying our pledge,” she declared in August 2021, when she announced that then-Governor General Dame Sandra Mason had been selected to be Barbados’ first President.
Nevertheless, defending the recent decision, the Prime Minister said: “Barbados National Day on November 30 allows us to celebrate both our independence and our status as a parliamentary republic led by a local Barbadian.”
“The truth is that our freedom from Britain will not be forgotten,” she continued “We can reassure those who are concerned. But we must also commemorate the election of our country’s first president. We anticipate that some will continue to refer to both events as the day, but for clarity, we have opted on an overall rubric that encompasses both. It is for this reason that we have chosen to mark two key dates in the life and journey of the sovereign state,” the prime minister insisted.
Dr. Ronnie Yearwood, head of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), has branded the decision “stupid, insensitive, and idiotic”.
“Neither the Democratic Labour Party nor the Barbados Labour Party are interested in independence. It was never a political issue. Independence is simply that. It’s about Barbados, and trying to take away the day and rename it when no one asked for it really reeks of a legacy-building, personal initiative on the prime minister’s side,” he claimed.
The DLP leader stated that his party will use “the necessary social pressure and agitation” to persuade the government to reverse its decision.
