The Prime Minister of Barbados announces that voters would be involved in making the decision on whether Barbados would become a republic by the end of 2005 taking the country “to a higher and mature plane of political development”. It is proposed that Barbados become a parliamentary republic with a ceremonial head of state while remaining a member of the Commonwealth. The small Caribbean island (pop 275,000) was colonized by Britain in the 1600s and became independent in 1966. The idea of a republic was first explored by a constitutional review in 1979. A second review in 1996 found that Barbadians were in favour of electing their head of state (report by AAP Reuters).
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
