Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth - Senator Crystal Drakes: Transitioning from a monarchy to a republic and what it means for democracy in Barbados

Senator Crystal Drakes: Transitioning from a monarchy to a republic and what it means for democracy in Barbados

11/27/24 • 15 min

Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks to Senator Crystal Drakes, a Member of the Senate of Barbados.
Recorded at the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in New South Wales in November 2024, Senator Crystal Drakes speaks about the recent transition from a monarchy to a republic in Barbados and what it means for democracy and national identity; her background in economic and international development and how it led to her parliamentary career; and how international conferences like the CPC can provide a platform for smaller jurisdictions in the Caribbean and beyond.
Barbados will host the next 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in October 2025.
Senator Crystal Drakes was speaking with Marshall Tisdale, Programmes Officer at the CPA Secretariat.
Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
Recorded in November 2024.
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Previous Episode

Kate Doust: Being a Presiding Officer, barriers for women in politics and the future of the ‘modern’ Commonwealth

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks to Hon. Kate Doust, a Member of the Legislative Council from the Parliament of Western Australia.
We speak about her role as a Presiding Officer and Member of Parliament; how her trade union background has helped in her career; the barriers facing women in politics and how to overcome them; the role of ‘modern’ Commonwealth; and being the first recipient of the CPA Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Award.
Hon. Kate Doust was speaking with Jeffrey Hyland, Editor of The Parliamentarian, the CPA’s Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments.
Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
Recorded in August 2024.
Visit the CPA website: https://www.cpahq.org/
Follow the CPA on social media:
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Next Episode

Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on becoming Speaker of the Punjab, Sustainable Growth & more

This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks to Hon. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Pakistan.
We speak about his path in politics towards becoming Speaker, how to encourage sustainable and inclusive growth across the Commonwealth, the historic occasion of the first CPA Asia South-East Asia joint Regional Conference and the governance of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
Hon. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan was speaking with Oz Russell, Communications Officer at the CPA Secretariat during the Asia South-East Asia joint Regional Conference.
Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
Recorded in February 2025.
Visit the CPA website: https://www.cpahq.org/
Follow the CPA on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CPA_Secretariat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPAHQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealth-parliamentary-association
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