Considering how the Barbadian constitution has invested many duties which previously were dispensed under British rule, essentially Barbados on gaining Independence is already a Republic.

Professor Richard Drayton was fielding audience questions recently at Frank Collymore Hall under the auspices of the Central Bank of Barbados.

Dr Drayton is of the firm view that when Barbados broke away from England five decades ago, the separation was more concrete than sister nations of the region.

He cited the abilities of the Prime Minister as opposed to the Governor General to prove his point, the fact that the PM can recommend to the Governor General to dissolve Parliament for elections, which are decided when the PM so chooses, and the same PM can select not only Ministers but justices and chairs of statutory boards does not correspond with leaders of other CARICOM members.

The concept of democracy as a people oriented process is relatively new, the scholar observed, he noted for Barbados the concept is an even younger idea still to be completely implemented.

In his view, the next five decades must reinforce the initial changes sought after – since there are loopholes which must be fine tuned.