Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller

[Judi Lynn]

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]

1. Awesome. I never got the U.K and canadas love for monarchy.

I find it very sickening. But maybe I just don't get it.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

6. I wish Canada would too

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]

10. Amen

I think it's ridiculous that our head of state is a foreigner, thousands of miles across the Atlantic.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

11. Yep, I'm from Ontario, but MAN!, how should the Quebecers feel about it!

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]

14. I wish Australia would too

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]

17. That's poor reasoning...

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]

2. A nice symbolic gesture

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]

3. no doubt the queen will lose sleep over this lol nt

[Blasphemer]

4. I've always been confused by the status of certain Commonwealth countries

Some are part of the Commonwealth but the queen is not considered the head of state while in others, she is.

[LeftishBrit]

5. I find that confusing too.

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]

7. For very small countries, it may have made a little sense

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]

18. Former British colonies remain members of the British Commonwealth,

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]

8. good... f*ck royalty

and aristocracy in general.

[Mojeoux]

9. Good on You Jamaica!!

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]

12. What's Jamaica have against Freddie Mercury?

[MichaelMcGuire]

15. Its cannae be for the music

Awesome

[Ter]

13. I totally read this wrong

I though the town of Jamaica, Queens (in NYC) was breaking free and seceding.

[ariesgem]

16. So did I

I'm from Jamaica, Queens. I had to do a double-take.