Caribbean quits the Queen

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Caribbean quits the Queen

CARIBBEAN NATIONS are tipped to be leaving behind Queen Elizabeth as its head of state following Barbados’ own departure into becoming a republic later this year.

The move has sparked a “domino-effect” among other Caribbean countries left in the “Commonwealth Realms” where the Queen remains it head of state, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley wants to “fully leave our colonial past behind”, according to Governor-General Sandra Mason.

“This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.”

Barbados aims to formally ditch the Queen by 1st December after the country marks their 55th anniversary of independence from Britain in November this year.

Jamaica’s opposition leader Mark Golding, of the People’s National Party (PNP), said that the Queen’s removal as head of state in the country as “fundamental to our identity and our nationhood.”

He said: “I don’t think that one could argue that we are fully independent when our head of state is somebody who lives on the other side of the Atlantic ocean and isn’t a Jamaican.”

Jamaican Governor-General Patrick Allen proposed a constitutional amendment which set out to undo the monarchy’s influence in the country.

“There is, as I understand it, bi-partisan support on the matter of removing the Queen as our Head of State in Jamaica, to having a Jamaican person as our Head of State through a non-executive presidency within the Commonwealth.”

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness made removing the Queen as head of state a priority in his 2016 manifesto, but has yet to call a long-awaited referendum due to complex, high constitutional thresholds.

Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are the other Caribbean countries to consider the removal of the Queen.

However, St. Vincentian voters defeated a proposal for the nation to become a republic in 2009.

At the time, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said he hoped the decision would grown a “nationalist, home-grown constitution”.

Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Dominica are the only Caribbean countries to to turn to republicanism.

Guyana first in 1970, four years after independence, Trinidad and Tobago removed the Queen as head of state in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.

The ongoing debate in cutting ties with the monarchy came during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement where many considered the firm’s part in colonialism and reparations.

As Barbados announced their intentions to become a republic, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Regarding removing the Queen as head of state, this is a matter for the people of Jamaica. With regards to the petition for reparations, this is a matter for the Government.”

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As Barbados announced their intentions to become a republic, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Regarding removing the Queen as head of state, this is a matter for the people of Jamaica. With regards to the petition for reparations, this is a matter for the Government.”

Hope he means Barbados Government.
 
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