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J M G M “ T o M ” A D A M s

representing the constituency until his
passing.

He was elected leader of the BLP in 1971
and in 1976 won two by-elections and
the General election.
Among his stellar accomplishments were
the establishment of the international
business sector and unprecedented
infrastructure, which he saw as necessary
for both social and economic progress.
These included the construction of
the spring Garden and ABC highways,
expansion of the Bridgetown Port
and opening the new Grantley Adams
international Airport.

There was also great social transformation
John Michael Geoffrey Manningham in housing, health and education. But
(JMGM Tom) Adams was Barbados’ this aspect of Adam’s achievements is
second Prime Minister, serving from 1976 most associated with the passing of the
until his untimely death in 1985, at 53. Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act, which
created a new wealth of land ownership
in his relatively short time, he became
renowned for his defence of democracy among people who were living on land
for generations.
and for an astounding number of
revolutionary economic and social The impact of groundbreaking initiatives
programmes that transformed Barbados such as the Commission on the status of
and brought new levels of prosperity. women, the status of Children Reform
Act and the Administrative Justice Act has
The only child of sir Grantley Adams,
Barbados’ first Premier, and Lady Adams, been immeasurable.
Tom was known for his brilliance. A committed regionalist, he took the lead
in rallying Caribbean leaders behind the
A Harrisonian and Barbados scholar, he us led intervention of Grenada in 1983
earned a degree in Politics, Philosophy
and economics at Magdalen College, after the then Government imploded,
leading to the re-establishment of
oxford. He was called to the British bar
in 1959 and worked as a journalist at the democracy.
BBC in London. Tom Adams is survived by his wife,
Genevieve and two sons, Douglas and
Adams became the Member of Rawdon.
Parliament for st. Thomas in 1966,

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