Sir Henry deBoulay Forde, the last surviving leader of the ‘Young Turks’, a generation of Barbados Labour Party politicians who took the reigns of leadership from Grantley Adams in the 1960s, rising to become the nation’s chief legal adviser, diplomat and two-time parliamentary opposition leader, died Wednesday, aged 91.
Details on his death were not immediately available.
Sir Henry’s political career spanned the first three decades of an independent Barbados. He was one of a triumvirate of young BLP politicians that included Harold Bernard St John and Tom Adams who took the reigns of the BLP in the five-year period in opposition that was bookmarked by the September 1971 general election, party co-founder Sir Grantley’s death two months later and victory at the polls in September 1976.
While St John was defeated in the then Christ Church South Central riding, Sir Henry became the first representative of Christ Church West in 1971, going on to serve as a Member of Parliament for seven consecutive terms, up to 1999, making him one of the longest-serving MPs in post-Independence Barbados. He served as Attorney General and Minister of External Affairs in the Tom Adams administration from 1976 to 1981.
Sir Henry was an early architect of republicanism in Barbados. The 1996-1998 constitutional review commission he chaired recommended how Barbados should settle all of the arrangements for the presidency.
The death of the highly respected legal and parliamentary giant prompted an early tribute from Prime Minister Mia Mottley who described him as her political father.
She said the nation had lost “a man of unmatched intellect, the consummate example of a gentleman in the political arena—a man who always put others and country above self”. Mottley added that Sir Henry’s legacy and lessons would live on for generations if they were well preserved by those who follow.
“He has left enough lessons that if we are good stewards of his legacy, he will live on in our party and our nation for many generations,” she said.
The prime minister reflected on Sir Henry’s long-standing service to the BLP and the country, pointing to his impeccable record of public service and the depth of his commitment to Barbados, a commitment she said was never in doubt.
“Today is truly a sad day for us,” she remarked.
The Prime Minister recounted Sir Henry’s role during key moments in the BLP’s history, noting that he remained committed to his principles and gentlemanly conduct throughout his career. She highlighted his leadership of the BLP and the Opposition following Tom Adams’ death in 1984 and defeat at the polls in 1986, as well as his resilience after being unseated as Opposition Leader in 1989. He returned to the post of opposition leader in 1991, but he again stepped aside in 1993 to allow Owen Arthur to take the party’s reins.
Sir Henry’s death comes just days before the BLP is set to convene its 85th annual conference, a fact which Mottley described as “ironic” given that the conference will be held at Christ Church Foundation School, where Sir Henry’s own passion for learning was sparked as a high school student. “We have lost a genuine stalwart, an exceptional legal scholar and one of politics’ finest gentlemen anywhere in the Caribbean,” she declared.
In a deeply personal reflection, Mottley noted Sir Henry’s role in shaping her own career, recalling how he introduced her to the Barbados Bar in 1987 and mentored her as a young politician. “As a young woman with a keen interest in public life and representation, it was Sir Henry who introduced me and a whole new generation… to the party,” she said.
The prime minister credited him with guiding her through her early years in Cabinet and emphasised the importance he placed on preparation and respect for Parliament.
“I learnt much from Sir Henry. And, I believe we can all learn from his grace, commitment and maturity when dealing with complex challenges along the journey of public service. Sir Henry never put himself first and was always guided by the highest ideals,” Mottley added.
Sir Henry will be accorded an official funeral, with details to be announced after consultations with his family. He is survived by his widow, Cheryl, Lady Forde, and three sons, Nicholas, Martin, and Ryan. A fourth son, Patrick, predeceased him in June this year.
“To the entire Forde family, we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for lending him in service of country for more than half a century,” the prime minister said. (BT)
