Clifford Darling

Sir Clifford Darling GCVO JP (6 February 1922^[1] – 27 December 2011)^[2] was the fifth governor-general of the Bahamas from 2 January 1992 until his retirement on 2 January 1995.

The Most Honourable Sir Clifford Darling GCVO JP
5th Governor-General of the Bahamas
In office 2 January 1992 – 2 January 1995
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Lynden Pindling Hubert Ingraham
Preceded by	Sir Henry Milton Taylor
Succeeded by	Sir Orville Turnquest
Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Bahamas
In office 20 October 1977 – 14 November 1991
Prime Minister	Lynden Pindling
Preceded by	Arlington Butler
Succeeded by	Milo Butler Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1922-02-06)6 February 1922 Acklins, Bahamas
Died	27 December 2011(2011-12-27) (aged 89) Nassau, Bahamas
Political party	Progressive Liberal Party
Spouse	Lady Ingrid Darling
Children	Clifford Jr, Andrea Darling-Thompson, Sharlene Hanna, Theresa McPhee, Rushena Darling, Lakriesha Darling and Charles Darling

Early life and education

Clifford Darling was born on 6 February 1922, on Acklins Island to Charles and Aremilia Darling,^[3] He attended Acklins Public School and schools in New Providence.^[3]

Darling trained as an electrician and a barber. He migrated to Nassau before going on the Contract.^[4]

Trade unionist

Darling returned to Nassau, got a job as a taxicab driver, and became an influential labor leader, serving as general secretary and president of the Bahamas Taxicab Union.^[5]

In the 1950s, Darling led successful negotiations for improved conditions for taxi drivers, culminating in the pivotal 1958 general strike.^[3][5][6][7]

Political career

Darling, a member of the Progressive Liberal Party,^[6] served as a Senator from 1964 to 1967.^[3][5][6][7]

He was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1967^[6] for the Engleston constituency.^[3][5][6][7] He served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1967 to 1969, Minister of State in 1969, Minister of Labour and Welfare in 1971 and Minister of Labour and National Insurance from 1974 to 1977,^[3][5][6][7] overseeing the introduction of the National Insurance programme in 1974.^[6]

Darling was Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1977^[5][6][7] until November 1991, when he resigned in anticipation of being appointed Governor-General.^[8] He was appointed Governor-General in 1992.^[5][6][7] Darling served as the fourth Governor-General of an independent Bahamas until retiring in 1995.^[3][5][6][7]

Awards and honours

In 1977, Darling was knighted by the Queen.^[6] In 1994, he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.^[9]

Death

He died on 27 December 2011 at the Princess Margaret Hospital after a long illness.^[7][10][11]