Barbados – United Kingdom relations
Encyclopedia
Barbadian–British relations are the diplomatic and governmental relationships between the United Kingdom
and Barbados
. The two countries are related through a unbroken common history spanning three-hundred and thirty-nine years (1627-1966). Since the Barbadian date of independence
, these nations continue to share ties through the Commonwealth of Nations
, and sharing of the same Head of State
, Queen Elizabeth II as their Monarch.
Barbados has one of the oldest English settlements in the West Indies, being surpassed only by Saint Kitts
. The first English settlement close to Holetown
in Barbados was established seventy-four years before the Acts of Union
created the Kingdom of Great Britain
.
The British High Commission in Bridgetown
was established in 1966. A Barbadian High Commission concurrently is located in London
, England
.
, Captain John Powell claimed Barbados in the name of England on 1625. Upon returning to England, his employer Sir William Courteen instructed John Powell to return to Barbados with settlers. John Powell's ship returned to England having not successfully located the island. A second voyage then led by Captain Henry Powell in 1627 was successful. A group of 80 English settlers (along with 10 African slaves), established the first permanent European settlement on the island of Barbados on 17 February 1627 at present-day town of Holetown
, Saint James. Barbados was transformed into a "proprietary colony
" of Courteen's, until a claim on the isle was disputed by James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle
who had proven that King Charles I of England actually granted him title for the infant colony.
From the first European settlement at St. James Town (which has since been renamed), until Barbadian independence in 1966, the island remained the only Caribbean
island which never changed hands among Europe
an nations following settlement.
With the early introduction of sugar cane, Barbados became one of the richest of England's colonies in the world. The far eastern location of Barbados made the colony a major commercial centre for Trans-Atlantic trade
especially with the British city of Bristol
. In the early 1900s Barbados also served as one of the main interconnection points of the British Empire's All Red Line
.
for trade. Thus has prompted Barbados and other former nations of the British West Indies
nations to seek new markets for trade expansion within the Americas
. As such the trade, financial, and cultural relations with the these separate blocks have become increasingly dominant.
The government of the United Kingdom has consolidated several of its High Commissions with a large number of the Eastern Caribbean offices transferring duties to Bridgetown office.
As a Commonwealth Realm
, the two countries share a monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and are both active members within the United Nations
, the Commonwealth of Nations
, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
and the African, Caribbean and Pacific–EU
's Joint Parliamentary Assembly
.
The Central Bank of Barbados
is one of several monetary bodies that print its banknotes with De La Rue
of England
.
In 2011 the British High Commissioner to Bridgetown regarded that: “the relationship with the UK and Barbados is extremely strong and positive and the ties remain close. It is a good and warm relationship and Barbados remains the destination of choice for the UK.”
After years of negotiations the British Broadcasting Corporation re-entered the Barbadian radio market by launching an FM relay station
in November 2009. The BBC World Service
can now be heard throughout the country on the frequency 92.1 FM.
visited Barbados to meet with various government ministers and UK businesses from the tourism sector based in Barbados. Following the meeting Mr. Browne stated that the British government understood the Barbados government's concerns about the air passenger duty
(APD) and its possible impact on the tourism with Barbados; Browne went on to say the results of the matter would be announced in the annual budget for the United Kingdom on 23 March.
in 1651. From then a militia was established and a number of watchtower
s (such as the Gun Hill Signal Station
) were strategically placed along the island's high-points to spot and quickly relay any acts of aggression or invasion attempts toward the former colony. Thereafter in 1780, a more permanent command of imperial troops were station in Barbados through to 1906. These troops had been station in the southern parts of the island at the St. Ann's Garrison Savannah
in St. Michael, an area which formed one of the oldest Garrison
s established in the entire Western hemisphere
.
Barbados and the United Kingdom continue their long history of cooperation on security matters. Today this role has evolved toward dealing with: fighting drugs, crime and money laundering. The Barbados Defence Force
and The Royal Marines
still maintain an alliance between their military units.
The British government bases the regional British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) in the nations of Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda.
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. The two countries are related through a unbroken common history spanning three-hundred and thirty-nine years (1627-1966). Since the Barbadian date of independence
Barbados Independence Act 1966
The Barbados Independence Act 1966 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted independence to Barbados with effect from 30 November 1966...
, these nations continue to share ties through the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, and sharing of the same Head of State
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
, Queen Elizabeth II as their Monarch.
Barbados has one of the oldest English settlements in the West Indies, being surpassed only by Saint Kitts
Saint Kitts
Saint Kitts Saint Kitts Saint Kitts (also known more formally as Saint Christopher Island (Saint-Christophe in French) is an island in the West Indies. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean...
. The first English settlement close to Holetown
Holetown
Holetown , is a small town located in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. Holetown is located in the parish of Saint James on the sheltered west coast of the island.-History:...
in Barbados was established seventy-four years before the Acts of Union
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
created the Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
.
The British High Commission in Bridgetown
Bridgetown
The city of Bridgetown , metropolitan pop 96,578 , is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Formerly, the Town of Saint Michael, the Greater Bridgetown area is located within the parish of Saint Michael...
was established in 1966. A Barbadian High Commission concurrently is located in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
History
The historic relationship between Barbados and Britain dates back to the 17th century. On a voyage from BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Captain John Powell claimed Barbados in the name of England on 1625. Upon returning to England, his employer Sir William Courteen instructed John Powell to return to Barbados with settlers. John Powell's ship returned to England having not successfully located the island. A second voyage then led by Captain Henry Powell in 1627 was successful. A group of 80 English settlers (along with 10 African slaves), established the first permanent European settlement on the island of Barbados on 17 February 1627 at present-day town of Holetown
Holetown
Holetown , is a small town located in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. Holetown is located in the parish of Saint James on the sheltered west coast of the island.-History:...
, Saint James. Barbados was transformed into a "proprietary colony
Proprietary colony
A proprietary colony was a colony in which one or more individuals, usually land owners, remaining subject to their parent state's sanctions, retained rights that are today regarded as the privilege of the state, and in all cases eventually became so....
" of Courteen's, until a claim on the isle was disputed by James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle
James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle
James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle was a Scottish aristocrat.-Life:He was the son of Sir James Hay of Fingask , and of Margaret Murray, cousin of George Hay, afterwards 1st Earl of Kinnoull.He was knighted and taken into favor by James VI of Scotland, brought into England in 1603, treated as a "prime...
who had proven that King Charles I of England actually granted him title for the infant colony.
From the first European settlement at St. James Town (which has since been renamed), until Barbadian independence in 1966, the island remained the only Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
island which never changed hands among Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an nations following settlement.
With the early introduction of sugar cane, Barbados became one of the richest of England's colonies in the world. The far eastern location of Barbados made the colony a major commercial centre for Trans-Atlantic trade
Triangular trade
Triangular trade, or triangle trade, is a historical term indicating among three ports or regions. Triangular trade usually evolves when a region has export commodities that are not required in the region from which its major imports come...
especially with the British city of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. In the early 1900s Barbados also served as one of the main interconnection points of the British Empire's All Red Line
All Red Line
The All Red Line was an informal name for the system of electrical telegraphs that linked much of the British Empire.It was inaugurated on 31 October 1902. It had this name because on many political maps, British Empire territory was coloured red ....
.
Today
Although Barbados has had strong ties with the UK since the first European settlement, the UK is tied increasingly with the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
for trade. Thus has prompted Barbados and other former nations of the British West Indies
British West Indies
The British West Indies was a term used to describe the islands in and around the Caribbean that were part of the British Empire The term was sometimes used to include British Honduras and British Guiana, even though these territories are not geographically part of the Caribbean...
nations to seek new markets for trade expansion within the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
. As such the trade, financial, and cultural relations with the these separate blocks have become increasingly dominant.
The government of the United Kingdom has consolidated several of its High Commissions with a large number of the Eastern Caribbean offices transferring duties to Bridgetown office.
As a Commonwealth Realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
, the two countries share a monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and are both active members within the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation, of British origin, which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights...
and the African, Caribbean and Pacific–EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's Joint Parliamentary Assembly
ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
The ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created to bring together the elected representatives of the European Union and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states that have signed the Cotonou Agreement.Since the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union...
.
The Central Bank of Barbados
Central Bank of Barbados
The Central Bank of Barbados is the national monetary authority responsible for providing advice to government of Barbados on banking and other financial and monetary matters. The Central Bank of Barbados, was established by Act of parliament on 2 May 1972...
is one of several monetary bodies that print its banknotes with De La Rue
De La Rue
De La Rue plc is a British security printing, papermaking and cash handling systems company headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire. It also has a factory on the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, and other facilities at Loughton, Essex and Bathford, Somerset...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In 2011 the British High Commissioner to Bridgetown regarded that: “the relationship with the UK and Barbados is extremely strong and positive and the ties remain close. It is a good and warm relationship and Barbados remains the destination of choice for the UK.”
Trade
In 2008 British exports to Barbados stood at £38.0 million. This has placed Barbados as Britain's fourth-largest export market in the region. The British based telecommunications company Cable and Wireless, (since re-branded as Landline, Internet, Mobile and Entertainment LIME), is the incumbent telephone service provider for the entire country of Barbados.After years of negotiations the British Broadcasting Corporation re-entered the Barbadian radio market by launching an FM relay station
Broadcast relay station
A broadcast relay station, relay transmitter, broadcast translator , rebroadcaster , or repeater is a broadcast transmitter which relays, repeats, or reflects the signal of another radio station or television station, usually to an area not covered by the signal of the originating station...
in November 2009. The BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
can now be heard throughout the country on the frequency 92.1 FM.
Diplomacy
In 2011, British Foreign Office Minister, Jeremy BrowneJeremy Browne
Jeremy Richard Browne is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Taunton Deane since 2005 and a Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 2010.-Early life and education:...
visited Barbados to meet with various government ministers and UK businesses from the tourism sector based in Barbados. Following the meeting Mr. Browne stated that the British government understood the Barbados government's concerns about the air passenger duty
Air Passenger Duty
Air Passenger Duty is an excise duty which is charged on the carriage of passengers flying from a United Kingdom airport on an aircraft that has an authorised take off weight of more than ten tonnes or more than twenty seats for passengers...
(APD) and its possible impact on the tourism with Barbados; Browne went on to say the results of the matter would be announced in the annual budget for the United Kingdom on 23 March.
Bilateral agreements
| Date | Agreement name | Law ref. number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2003 | Transfer of Offenders Treaty | No 26. (2003) | |
| June 1999 | Air Services | No. 23 (2001) | |
| April 1993 | Promotion and Protection of Investment | No. 54 (1993) | |
| April 1992 | The Social Security (Barbados) Order 1992 | No. 812 (1992) |
Military
Historically, the United Kingdom maintained a strong military presence on the island of Barbados. The first imperial troops to land in Barbados were forces of Sir George AyscueGeorge Ayscue
Admiral Sir George Ayscue was an English naval officer who served in the Civil War and the Anglo-Dutch Wars.In 1648, during the Civil War, while serving as a captain in the navy of the English Parliament, he prevented the fleet from defecting to the Royalists, and was promoted to General at Sea...
in 1651. From then a militia was established and a number of watchtower
Watchtower
A watchtower is a type of fortification used in many parts of the world. It differs from a regular tower in that its primary use is military, and from a turret in that it is usually a freestanding structure. Its main purpose is to provide a high, safe place from which a sentinel or guard may...
s (such as the Gun Hill Signal Station
Gun Hill Signal Station
Gun Hill Signal Station, St. George is the largest and most important of the military outposts in Barbados, with military associations from at least 1697...
) were strategically placed along the island's high-points to spot and quickly relay any acts of aggression or invasion attempts toward the former colony. Thereafter in 1780, a more permanent command of imperial troops were station in Barbados through to 1906. These troops had been station in the southern parts of the island at the St. Ann's Garrison Savannah
Garrison Historic Area
St. Ann's Garrison, or more commonly known as "The Garrison", is a small district located in the country of Barbados. This Garrison Historic Area is situated about 2-miles south of Heroes Square in the capital-city Bridgetown, and just west of the village of Hastings in the neighbouring parish of...
in St. Michael, an area which formed one of the oldest Garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
s established in the entire Western hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions...
.
Barbados and the United Kingdom continue their long history of cooperation on security matters. Today this role has evolved toward dealing with: fighting drugs, crime and money laundering. The Barbados Defence Force
Barbados Defence Force
The Barbados Defence Force is the name given to the combined armed forces of Barbados. The BDF was established August 15, 1979, and has responsibility for the territorial defence and internal security of the island. The headquarters for the Barbados Defence Force are located in the St...
and The Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
still maintain an alliance between their military units.
The British government bases the regional British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) in the nations of Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda.
To Barbados
In recent years a growing number of British nationals have been relocating to Barbados to live. A poll conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) found that there were roughly 27,000 persons who identified as British citizens living abroad in Barbados. The ranking placed Barbados as third in the Americas in terms of British nationals resident, (behind the United States and Canada). Other polls have shown that British nationals make 75-85 percent of Barbados second home market.To the United Kingdom
The 2001 UK Census showed over 21,000 Barbadian born people residing in the UK (the largest Barbadian born diaspora on earth). Barbadians constitute the second largest Afro-Caribbean group in the UKBritish African-Caribbean community
The British African Caribbean communities are residents of the United Kingdom who are of West Indian background and whose ancestors were primarily indigenous to Africa...
.
Twin or Sister cities / towns
- unk - BridgetownBridgetownThe city of Bridgetown , metropolitan pop 96,578 , is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Formerly, the Town of Saint Michael, the Greater Bridgetown area is located within the parish of Saint Michael...
, St. Michael – Borough of Hackney, LondonLondon Borough of HackneyThe London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... - 2003 - SpeightstownSpeightstownSpeightstown , also known as Little Bristol, is the second largest town centre of Barbados. It is situated north of the capital city of Bridgetown, in the northern parish of Saint Peter....
, St. Peter – ReadingReading, BerkshireReading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Berkshire, England - 2009 - HoletownHoletownHoletown , is a small town located in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. Holetown is located in the parish of Saint James on the sheltered west coast of the island.-History:...
, St. James – Borough of Haringey, LondonLondon Borough of HaringeyThe London Borough of Haringey is a London borough, in North London, classified by some definitions as part of Inner London, and by others as part of Outer London. It was created in 1965 by the amalgamation of three former boroughs. It shares borders with six other London boroughs...
, England
See also
- List of High Commissioners from the United Kingdom to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
- Barbadian BritishBarbadian BritishBarbadian British people, or Bajan-Brits are citizens or residents of the United Kingdom whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in the Caribbean island of Barbados...
External links
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth office - Barbados Profile
- UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) - UK trade with Barbados
- Department for International Development (DFID) Caribbean Regional Office
- BBC.co.uk - Barbados profile
- Timeline of joint Barbados-British history
- The British Empire: The Map Room: Barbados