THE ICONIC image immortalised on the front page of the November 30 edition of The Advocate showing Father of Independence Errol Barrow with hands raised and a broad smile, are a clear indication of the excitement felt after a hard fought battle for independence.
While Britain was ready to give colonies their independence, the nature of the opposition came from much closer to home.
A comprehensive account of the events leading up to that fateful night was given by historian Dr. Henderson Carter on Wednesday as he delivered a lecture on the topic, “ The Nature of the Opposition to Independence in Barbados,” as part of the lecture series being hosted by the Democratic Labour Party in celebration of the 50th anniversary of independence.
Dr. Carter explained that Mr. Barrow (now National Hero The Right Excellent Errol Barrow) after noting the continuous failed attempts at the federation, announced in May 1965 the intention to go to Parliament on the issue of independence. Dr. Carter explained that Barrow faced serious criticism, with the word “dictator” being used to describe his ideas and alleged plans for the country.
Persons eventually resigning from his own Cabinet, including Winter Crawford, who strongly believed independence should be attained within a federal unit. Members of the Barbados Labour Party also held the same view, hosting as Dr. Carter pointing out, no less than 70 meetings across the island to try to dissuade the general public from siding with Mr. Barrow.
It was explained that in the January 1966 debate on the subject of Independence in the House of Parliament, the view by Freddie Miller was that the decision should have been taken to the people.
Barrow also faced opposition from the Barbados National Party led by E. D Mottley who also held the view that independence should be within a federation.
Additionally, there was opposition from a group of young professionals called the Under 40s who were highly respected in society. The planter merchant class in fear of losing their position in society, also wished Barbados to remain a colony, with some of them migrating to Australia and New Zealand.
In spite of all of this opposition, it was explained that Mr. Barrow had the backing of groups such as the Unemployed, the Under Employed and the Under privileged many of whom thought the Under 40s were a privileged group.
Dr. Carter mused that a clear sign that there was no turning back was the renaming of Independence Square back in October 1965.
He also pointed to the strides that were being made with CARIFTA and the regional and international support that was garnered from the US and Britain.
“That is why you will see the excitement on Barrow’s face. Because he had come a long way. He had fought a great battle. And he could now be very happy that the battle was won.”
“We have disputes about who introduced free education, but there can be no dispute over who is the father of independence. He fought for it. Others were not prepared to go to independence alone and some did not want to leave the colonial status. That opposition has found itself into the historiography of Barbados,”he said.
With criticism of the $1 million spent back in 1966 for the grand celebrations similar to what is happening in 2016, Dr. Carter encouraged Barbadians to make the 50th anniversary celebrations memorable, while maintaining the peace that is synonymous with the island. (JH)
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