Senate of Barbados

Senate Of Barbados

The Senate is the Upper House of the bicameral legislature the Parliament of Barbados. The Senate is accorded legitimacy by Chapter V of the Constitution of Barbados. It is the smaller of both chambers and also includes HM Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados (represented by the Governor-General). The Senate was established in 1964 to replace a prior body known as the Legislative Council. Besides creating and reviewing Barbadian legislation, the Senate generally reviews approved legislation originating from the House of Assembly (Lower House). One main constraint on the Senate is that it cannot author monetary or budget-related bills. Most of the non-political appointees to the Senate have been selected by the Governor-General from civil society organisations, labour collectives and public associations in Barbados.

The Senate contains Senators who are not elected by the population at large, but are nominated by the Governor-General of Barbados (on behalf of the Sovereign.). According to the Constitution of Barbados, they are partly chosen in the Governor-General's sole discretion, and in some instances on the advice of the Prime Minister, and HM's Loyal Opposition. The Senate sits 20–25 days a year. Similar to the House of Assembly chamber the term of the Senate is five years.