New headlines in the UK announced that Jamaica has formally begun its separation from the British monarchy. This means that Queen Elizabeth II will be removed as the island nation’s head of state.
The head of the country’s Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, announced to the Kingston parliament that the separation process will be completed in stages before the elections in 2025. This will involve several steps, including a vote in the House and the Jamaican Parliament Senate and People’s Consultation.
In addition, he said that the objective is to produce a new constitution to establish the Republic of Jamaica as a parliamentary one. This will replace the monarchy and thus autonomy will be affirmed.
Forte added that to achieve this, cooperation between the government, the parliamentary opposition and the people’s seal is required. So a Constitutional Reform Committee will be established that includes members of the opposition.
The decision to become a republic came as slave ranks and anti-monarchy protests erupted after Prince William and Kate Middleton made their royal tour of the Caribbean. Although the purpose of the visit was to prevent other nations following Barbados from leaving the Commonwealth, the whole thing turned out to be a public relations disaster.
