Keep first past the post

Two of the island’s most noted political scientists have recommended that Barbados not move away from its traditional first-past-the-post electoral system now the country is a republic.

The call came from Dr George Belle and Peter Wickham when the Parliamentary Reform Commission on Thursday night kicked off a three-month-long series of nationwide public sessions to hear what changes Barbadians want, and to how the third oldest Parliament in the Commonwealth should function.

Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham told a town hall meeting at Solidarity House, headquarters of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), that there is a place for every single Barbadian in this process.

“I want to assure you that every viewpoint and school of thought will be considered and we invite you all to speak up and speak out as it were,” the prominent attorney and former parliamentarian said. (HH)