Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller
6 January 2012 Last updated at 14:34 ET
Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller
Jamaica's new Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said she intends to make the island a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as the head of state.
In her inaugural address, Ms Simpson Miller said the time had come for Jamaica to break with the British monarchy and have its own president.
The announcement comes ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years of Jamaican independence from Britain.
The Queen's grandson, Prince Harry, is due to the visit the island this year.
More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16449969
Muskypundit
(717 posts)I find it very sickening. But maybe I just don't get it.
Joe Shlabotnik
(5,604 posts)It's nice from a historical perspective, but it doesn't go over well with the francophones, makes Canada look like a baby-state, and I'm not too eager to spend tax dollars on royal visits. Time to cut the cord.
DeathToTheOil
(1,124 posts)I think it's ridiculous that our head of state is a foreigner, thousands of miles across the Atlantic.
Joe Shlabotnik
(5,604 posts)They're just as Canadian as I am, and although I might dislike the monarchy, they have every reason to despise it. On that level it's devise for the country.
SwissTony
(2,560 posts)We had a vote in 1999 but the question was formulated in such a way that even pro-republic groups advocated against it (our "beloved" prime minister, John Howard). We've still got Lizzie on our coins.
The current feeling in Oz is to reconsider the question when the Queen passes. She has said repeatedly that the question of any country becoming a republic is entirely a matter for the citizens of that country.
Agent William
(651 posts)For many in Quebec the mere notion of being in Canada is divisive.
If Quebec (or Catholic Irish) finds something to be offensive then that is no reason to change the rest of the nation. One province and one diaspora does not get to decide a constitutional issue for others in the same country.
Unfortunately, the cord has been cut. Queen Elizabeth acts as the Quenn of Canada when she is in said country.
I'm sorry, but republicanism is not the cure-all for societies ills.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,283 posts)Dunno how that helps with crime or the economy, but it can't hurt.
No ganga for you, Prince Harry!
A Republic, eh? I know a primary and electoral college process they could use as a model ...
msongs
(67,199 posts)Blasphemer
(3,261 posts)Some are part of the Commonwealth but the queen is not considered the head of state while in others, she is.
LeftishBrit
(41,192 posts)I've never understood in any case why an independent country would want another country's head of state. If Jamaica wants to be a republic, good for them.
While we're at it, is there any country that would like to buy David Cameron from us?!
muriel_volestrangler
(101,155 posts)Some form of check on an elected chamber (almost certainly unicameral for small countries) can be a good idea, and the overhead of an independent president just may not seem worth it. Though I would have guessed that Jamaica, being a fair size, had already dropped the monarchy.
Matilda
(6,384 posts)but some are republics with their own head of state, and others still retain the Queen as head of state. Becoming a republic doesn't affect a country's standing in the Commonwealth.
Canada is a dominion, as is New Zealand, and Australia is a commonwealth. Don't ask me what the legal definitions of those terms are; I haven't a clue.
The Commonwealth used to have distinct advantages in trade, and in our ability to travel and work freely in Britain, but since Britain joined the EU, not so much anymore.
It appears that the sentiment here is that Australia will hang on until the Queen departs this life, which seems to me a bit silly, because we're still dependent on an event in a foreign country to determine our future.
Most of my forebears were British, and I retain an affection for the country, but I can't for the life of me understand why so many Australians still want to tug their forelocks to the monarchy.
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)and aristocracy in general.
Mojeoux
(2,173 posts)Maybe then they will totally legalize marijuana and become a LEGAL TROPICAL Amsterdam. This would be such a healthy boon for this very poor nation.
It only SEEMS legal now, in fact the pilots will give a small speech as they fly into Kingston or Montego Bay that reminds people it's NOT legal.
Jamaican pot dealers respect the precious Jamaican environment like the coral-reefs and the sea turtles' nesting areas.
Jamaican coke dealers (mostly white) don't care and just want to build hotels. Legalization of weed will empower the Rastas and help squash the tragic cocaine externalizations.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)MichaelMcGuire
(1,684 posts)Awesome
Ter
(4,281 posts)I though the town of Jamaica, Queens (in NYC) was breaking free and seceding.
I'm from Jamaica, Queens. I had to do a double-take.