Barbados–United Kingdom relations

Did You Know?

• A BBC poll found roughly 27,000 British citizens living in Barbados, ranking it third in the Americas behind the US and Canada.
• The 2001 UK Census showed over 21,000 Barbadian-born people residing in the UK, the largest Barbadian diaspora on earth.
• British nationals make 75–85 percent of the Barbados second home market.

History

The historic relationship began when Captain John Powell claimed Barbados for England in 1625. After an initial failed voyage, his brother Captain Henry Powell led a successful expedition in 1627, landing 80 English settlers and 12 African slaves captured from the Spanish at sea. They established the first permanent European settlement on 17 February 1627 at what is now Holetown, Saint James. Barbados became a proprietary colony under Sir William Courteen, though a rival claim by James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle, was upheld by King Charles I. From that settlement until independence in 1966, Barbados remained the only Caribbean island never to change hands among European nations. The early introduction of sugar cane made it one of England's richest colonies, and its far eastern location made it a major centre for trans-Atlantic trade, particularly with Bristol. In the early 1900s, Barbados served as a key interconnection point for the British Empire's All Red Line.

Today

The UK has consolidated several of its High Commissions, with many Eastern Caribbean offices transferring duties to the Bridgetown office. As Commonwealth realms, the two countries shared Queen Elizabeth II as monarch and both are active members of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific–EU's Joint Parliamentary Assembly. Barbados announced it would become a republic by November 2021 to leave its colonial past behind, though critics claim China exerted pressure for the move. The Central Bank of Barbados's banknotes are printed by De La Rue of England. In 2011, the British High Commissioner described the relationship as extremely strong and positive, with Barbados remaining the destination of choice for the UK. In 2012, the UK's Minister of State for the Independent Caribbean stated that Barbados is the island with which the UK has the strongest and most natural relationship.

Trade

The BBC re-entered the Barbadian radio market in November 2009 by launching an FM relay station on frequency 92.1 FM. From December 2008 until 30 December 2020, trade was governed by the CARIFORUM–European Union Economic Partnership Agreement. Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, a continuity trade agreement between the UK and CARIFORUM states has governed Barbados–UK trade since 1 January 2021.

Diplomacy

He stated that the British government understood Barbados's concerns about air passenger duty and its possible impact on tourism, with results to be announced in the UK's annual budget on 23 March. In September 2020, Barbados announced its intention to become a republic by 30 November 2021, the 55th anniversary of its independence. On that date, Sandra Mason assumed office as president, replacing the Queen as head of state. Despite the constitutional change, during a 2025 King's Birthday event in Barbados, Princess Anne expressed her desire for closer ties between the UK and Barbados. Historically, the UK maintained a strong military presence on the island. The first imperial troops landed in 1651 under Sir George Ayscue. A militia was established, and watchtowers such as Gun Hill Signal Station were placed along high points. From 1780 to 1906, a permanent command of imperial troops was stationed at St. Ann's Garrison Savannah in St. Michael, one of the oldest garrisons in the Western Hemisphere. During both World Wars, many Barbadian service members fought for Britain. In a telegram dated 6 August 1914, Barbadian officials wrote: 'Carry on, England. Barbados is behind you. On 3 September 1939, the first telegram to arrive in Whitehall from Barbados read: 'Barbados is with you.'