The UK Barbadian Community eagerly awaits the appointment of its new High Commissioner after the completion of former High Commissioner Milton Inniss’s four-year tenure. Due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 during his term, his engagement with the community was limited compared to that of his predecessors.
A posting to London is seen as the holy grail in diplomatic appointments, and Milton Inniss was fortunate to be given this prestigious post. On board with him was his deputy, Rev Charles Morris, a very abrasive and combative personality, whom Betty Lewis eventually assisted in a newly created post of Diaspora attaché. Ms Lewis, a former employee of the Barbados Tourism Authority, remains in post. To give this some relevance, the Deputy High Commissioner is primarily responsible for community matters, while the High Commissioner’s role centres on business affairs.
During his tenure, Rev. Charles disagreed with the National Council of Barbadian Associations regarding the organisation of the Thanksgiving service, which resulted in a discontinuation of joint event planning. Completely opposed to the joint committee, he wanted to organise it himself with no input from the group. With his withdrawal from the National group, the event was a massive flop, bogged down in technical difficulties. This disagreement brought to an end a partnership that was initiated with the late BLP member, DHC Herbie Yearwood, and continued until the recent dispute. Upon completion of his contract, the Reverend Charles returned to Barbados, where he was appointed as a Senator and currently hosts a well-regarded radio talk show in addition to fulfilling his parochial responsibilities.
Throughout this period, ironically, High Commissioner Inniss continued to attend the group’s functions. Mackie Holder is now the DHC and previously served as the island’s Consul General in New York. In 2023, Mr Holder faced allegations of verbal misconduct involving a New York councilwoman, which he has denied. It is understood that this incident contributed to his recall from the post and subsequent return to Barbados.
On his arrival in the UK, Holder seemed set to oppose anything the NCBA did, but found himself at the NCBA – A Lil Bit of Bim in Leicester, and appeared on the platform.
Chairperson Sherry Maxwell reached out to him, and eventually a meeting was arranged with her and the then deputy, Dr Goring. In all accounts, it appeared to be a tough meeting, and DHC Holder reiterated his view that the High Commission team should lead anything national.
Last year saw a seismic change when DHC Holder hosted a service in Birmingham and paid for a coach to transport the congregation from London. The High Commission then hosted a Gala awards dinner and dance with Special guest Red Plastic Bag. Detail of all this is highlighted in The High Commission newsletter The Connector, where Deputy Holder’s activities dominate about 80% of the pages.
Fast forward to 2025. A notable aspect of Holder’s current tenure has been the implementation of the ‘We Gathering’ initiative. The WeGathering events, along with a long list of other events, began in Reading, Berk, where he has family connections and lived for a short time. During one of his scheduled events in Manchester, the DHC holder made a veiled attack on the NCBA, responding to a question from the floor about not liking the group’s format. Although the events were a positive initiative, the crowds did not appear, considering that other government agencies sponsored the event. The attendance at the hastily arranged Heroes’ Day service in Reading was poor. Whilst the Barbados Cultural Society launch event in Tottenham, although generating a massive footfall, Holder and his team were sidelined and given a 15-minute slot. Directly opposite to the two hours he had on the platform in Reading.
On his posts on Facebook, Holder also claimed responsibility for establishing additional Bajan groups in Luton and Manchester; however, sources indicate that these groups may not have been formally constituted and are no longer operational.
So, what is the problem? It’s essential to explain the role of the NCBA UK, which serves as the umbrella organisation for Barbadian groups throughout the United Kingdom, using a similar template to the Trades Union Congress and subsequently St Vincent and the Grenadines, who also have a national group.
Established in 1986, it is a voluntary organisation which advocates on behalf of Barbadians in the UK, promoting the interests of those who migrated during the mid-1950s and 1960s. Their focus encompasses social issues such as health, education, arts, and culture, with the overarching goal of pragmatically advancing diversity within our communities.
DHC’s stance does not make sense, as Barbados and SVG collaborated in a cricket match for two years before officials from SVG cancelled their involvement and passed it on to their national group. The Diaspor Attache, Betty Lewis, is reported to have said that she will not be working with the SVG group. The Barbadian national group was then invited to work and extend the spirit of collaboration of the two island states.
Despite the current impasse with the High Commission, the NCBA has continued to fulfil its objectives, as it has consistently done for the community since its establishment. This year, the group donated funds to the Hope Foundation, a group that supports victims of respiratory diseases in Barbados. This resilience in the face of diplomatic challenges is a testament to the organisation’s strength.
At present, the identity of the new High Commissioner has not been officially announced. According to sources in Barbados, Edmund Hinkson, the Member of Parliament for St. James North, is expected to be appointed to the London post after leaving elected office. Chad Blackman, who previously worked as a diplomat and is currently the Minister of Educational Transformation in the Barbados Labour Party administration, has taken over the parliamentary seat.
Barbados’ Independence celebrations are the most active period within the UK diplomatic calendar. Historically, each Town hosting an event received representation from a diplomatic official. The NCBA has announced that its Thanksgiving service will take place in Catford. It would not be unexpected if the team at the High Commission were to schedule an alternative service on the same date.
In the interim, anticipation remains as we await the Foreign Secretary’s announcement regarding the appointment of the new head of the UK’s headquarters, along with the potential for this individual to unify the currently divided community under a single vision.
