The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed in the Senate yesterday by a 15-3 vote, with two abstentions, clearing the final parliamentary hurdle for legislation that will fundamentally alter the rules governing elected Members of Parliament in Barbados.
It provides that any MP who resigns from, is expelled from or crosses the floor from the political party under which he or she was elected must vacate the seat, triggering a by-election.
During yesterday’s debate, Independent Senator Andrew Mallalieu and Opposition Senator Karina Goodridge raised concerns about potential unintended consequences for democracy.
Votes of “no” were recorded from Opposition Senators Ryan Walters of the Democratic Labour Party and Goodridge of the Friends of Democracy, as well as Independent Senator Reverend Canon Dr John Rogers when the division was taken. Independent Senators Dr Kenneth Connell and Ryan Forde abstained.
Safeguarding stability
The governing Barbados Labour Party has maintained that the amendment is designed to safeguard political stability and protect the mandate granted to parties by voters.
Leader of Public Business in the Senate, Senator Lisa Cummins, who led off debate on the measure yesterday, was joined by fellow Government Senators in Senior Ministers Dr The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott and Chris Sinckler, Jonathan Reid, John King, Shane Archer, Roshanna Trim, Ramon Alleyne, Kamisha Benjamin, Janeil Odle and The Most Honourable Elizabeth Thompson (who is Deputy President of the Senate) in voting for the amendment.
They were backed by Independent Senators Andrew Niles, Mary Redman, Andrew Mallalieu and Jamal Slocombe.
(BA)
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