The constitution and laws of Barbados
Leader of the Opposition
74. 1. There shall be a Leader of the Opposition who shall be appointed
by the Governor General by instrument under the Public Seal.
2. Whenever the Governor General has occasion to appoint a Leader of the
Opposition he shall appoint the member of the House of Assembly who, in his
judgment, is best able to command the support of a majority of those members
who do not support the Government, or if there is no such person, the member of
that House who, in his judgment, commands the support of the largest single
group of such members who are prepared to support one leader:
Provided that this subsection shall have effect in relation to any period
between a dissolution of Parliament and the day on which the next election of
members of the House of Assembly is held as if Parliament had not been
dissolved.
3. The office of Leader of the Opposition shall become vacant -
a. if, after an election of members of the House of Assembly following any
dissolution of Parliament and before that House first meets thereafter, he is
informed by the Governor General that the Governor General is about to appoint
another person as Leader of the Opposition;
b. if he ceases to be a member of the House of Assembly for any reason other
than a dissolution of Parliament; or
c. if his appointment is revoked under the provisions of subsection (4).
4. If, in the judgment of the Governor General, the Leader of the Opposition no
longer is able to command the support of a majority of Government, or, as the
case may be, the support of the largest single group of such members who are
prepared to support one leader, the Governor General may revoke the appointment
of the leader of the Opposition.
5. In the exercise of his functions under this section the Governor General
shall act in his discretion:
Provided that, except during any period such as is mentioned in subsection
(3)(a), if the Governor General considers that it is doubtful whether a person
commands such support as is mentioned in subsection (2) he shall, in
determining the question, act in accordance with the advice of the Speaker.
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