Adams, Tom (John Michael) (1931-1985)

Barbadian centre-left politician, prime minister 1976-85. He led the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to victory in 1976 after 15 years in opposition. As prime minister and finance minister, he promoted modernization of the infrastructure and legal system, and market-centred economic reforms, including the development of ‘offshore’ financial services. He also developed close ties with the USA, supplying troops to assist the US-led invasion of Grenada in 1983, although initially denying any threat from its left-wing regime. He was the son of Grantley Adams, founder of the BLP.

After Adams died suddenly in March 1985, he was succeeded as BLP leader and prime minister by Bernard St John.

Adams followed in his father's footsteps by winning the Barbados Island Scholarship to study politics, philosophy, and economics at Oxford University and later becoming a barrister. He remained in England until 1963, working with the BBC and becoming active in the UK Labour Party. On his return to Barbados, he worked with his father to rebuild the fortunes of the BLP and was elected to the Barbadian parliament in 1966. He took over as parliamentary leader of the BLP in 1971, and became its chair in 1973.