Rachel Stevens, FISM News
The Caribbean island of Barbados wants to remove Britain’s Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and become a republic, the government has said, reviving a plan mooted several times in the past.
Barbados gained its independence in 1866 and since has maintained a formal link with the British monarchy similar to Canada, Australia, and a number of Caribbean nations that were once part of the British empire.
“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” said Barbados Governor General Sandra Mason, delivering a speech on behalf of the country’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
The consensus according to Barbadian officials is that Barbadians want a head of state from their country that knows the people well. They reportedly want this to occur before their 55th commemoration of independence in November of next year.
In response, Buckingham Palace said the issue was a matter for the people of Barbados. Britain’s Foreign Office said the decision is in the hands of Barbadians.
“Barbados and the UK are united in our shared history, culture, language, and much more. We have an enduring partnership and will continue to work with them along with all our valued Caribbean partners,” a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.
Remnants of British history remain in Barbados with cricket as a popular sport and towns with names like Hastings.
If they are to follow through, Barbados would be following the lead of other former commonwealth nations like Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Guyana in becoming a republic.
Sourced from Reuters