Barbados says it will remove Queen as head of state

By Estelle Shirbon

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Queen Elizabeth poses after awarding Captain Tom Moore with the insignia of Knight Bachelor at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain July 17, 2020. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Barbados wants to remove Britain's Queen Elizabeth as its head of state and become a republic, the Caribbean island nation's government has said, reviving a plan mooted several times in the past.

 

A former British colony that gained independence in 1966, Barbados has maintained a formal link with the British monarchy as have some other countries 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.

 

"Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence."

 

That anniversary will come in November of next year.

 

Buckingham Palace said the issue was a matter for the people of Barbados. Britain's Foreign Office said the decision was one for Barbados to take.

 

"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.

 

As things stand, the governor general of Barbados is appointed by the queen on the advice of the island's prime minister. The governor general represents the queen at formal events such as the state opening of parliament, which was the occasion at which Mason delivered the speech on Tuesday.

 

Britain has played a key role in the history of Barbados, which was transformed by the Atlantic slave trade. The island was claimed for England in 1625 when Captain Henry Powell landed there.

 

It was quickly settled and stayed in British hands over the centuries, unlike other Caribbean islands that were fought over by the Spanish, British, Dutch, French and Americans. The introduction of African slaves to work the sugar plantations fields brought fabulous wealth for the white ruling class.

 

Today's population of under 300,000 is overwhelmingly of African descent. Some cultural links to Britain are still evident: towns have names like Hastings and streets like Liverpool Lane, while the sport of cricket is very popular.

 

Britain is home to a large community of people of Barbadian descent.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-16

 

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Well if this was wonderland and Alice was running after the white rabbit they would just have to say "Off with her head", so tell me again why this is news I thought she was just the Queen of England, and all of the former countries the UK lorded over have been turned into there own countries, but then maybe I have no clue in real time political issues.

5 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

but then maybe I have no clue in real time political issues

For once you are correct!

Maybe there is still hope that the UK will do the same.

Great move, this will solve all their problems, end corruption and transform Barbados into a super power!

Waiting to hear if they will also be requesting reparations for the forced slavery of there ancestors.

4 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

Maybe there is still hope that the UK will do

What?

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

there ancestors

?

Thats going to make the next meeting between Johnson and the Queen somewhat awkward lol.

As if the guy does not have enough on his plate.

 

Is there any severance pay as this mob are very needy ???? 

20 minutes ago, stouricks said:

In Queen's English, it is THEIR own countries, not THERE.

Thank you kind sir, but I do not speak the queens English, I am an American.  Chips are not Crisps, French Fries are not Chips, Color is not spelled Colour, Potato is not spelled Potatoe, and mashed peas are just nasty unless in a split pea soup with ham.

Nobody cares.

2 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Nobody cares.

The residents might!

 

3 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Nobody cares.

I suspect Her Maj will care.

39 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

Maybe there is still hope that the UK will do the same.

    Hopefully , the spear head , will be led by Scotland the brave .

     Timid Taff's and paddies , will follow later ..

37 minutes ago, fangless said:

What?

Disavow, to use a Google expression.

Just now, elliss said:

    Hopefully , the spear head , will be led by Scotland the brave .

     Timid Taff's and paddies , will follow later ..

I would not describe the Welsh or Irish as timid. 

7 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Thank you kind sir, but I do not speak the queens English, I am an American

It would be "their" instead of "there" in American English as well. Oh and "the Queen's English". Sorry couldn't resist.

 

I think it's good that Barbados is taking this step if keeping the British Queen as head of state serves no purpose. But of course they know in the end what is best for them.

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Well if this was wonderland and Alice was running after the white rabbit they would just have to say "Off with her head", so tell me again why this is news I thought she was just the Queen of England, and all of the former countries the UK lorded over have been turned into there own countries, but then maybe I have no clue in real time political issues.

You got it right with your last statement

 

54 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Waiting to hear if they will also be requesting reparations for the forced slavery of there ancestors.

No problem but the Barbadians in UK lose their citizenship, passport and all UK holdings and pproperty. Same with reparations to USA Blacks..if they accept reparations they lose all they have in the states and return home to their African paradise.

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Waiting to hear if they will also be requesting reparations for the forced slavery of there ancestors.

Amazing how many 'ex-africans' asking for reparations, but if offered a life back in Africa would refuse to go

33 minutes ago, Nout said:

No problem but the Barbadians in UK lose their citizenship, passport and all UK holdings and pproperty. Same with reparations to USA Blacks..if they accept reparations they lose all they have in the states and return home to their African paradise.

If Barbados becomes a republic it will have zero effect on any of that.

 

Barbados citizens living in the UK will still be Barbados citizens and hold Barbados passports. Their right to stay is dependent upon their visa or LTR conditions, not whether or not Barbados is a republic.

 

British citizens who either naturalised after immigrating from Barbados or are British born descendants of immigrants from Barbados will still be British citizens and hold British passports.

 

Dual Barbados/British citizens living in the UK will still be dual Barbados/British citizens and hold both passports.

 

All three groups will still retain ownership of any and all holdings and property in the UK they currently own. There is no law in the UK preventing foreigners from owning such; just ask any Russian oligarch!

 

Barbados becoming a Republic wont even mean them leaving the Commonwealth; currently 31 out of the 54 members are such.

 

What your ramblings about America have to do with this subject, only you know. The USA is not and never has been a member of the Commonwealth and became a republic nearly 250 years ago. 

9 minutes ago, 7by7 said:

If Barbados becomes a republic it will have zero effect on any of that.

 

Barbados citizens living in the UK will still be Barbados citizens and hold Barbados passports. Their right to stay is dependent upon their visa or LTR conditions, not whether or not Barbados is a republic.

 

British citizens who either naturalised after immigrating from Barbados or are British born descendants of immigrants from Barbados will still be British citizens and hold British passports.

 

Dual Barbados/British citizens living in the UK will still be dual Barbados/British citizens and hold both passports.

 

All three groups will still retain ownership of any and all holdings and property in the UK they currently own. There is no law in the UK preventing foreigners from owning such; just ask any Russian oligarch!

 

Barbados becoming a Republic wont even mean them leaving the Commonwealth; currently 31 out of the 54 members are such.

 

What your ramblings about America have to do with this subject, only you know. The USA is not and never has been a member of the Commonwealth and became a republic nearly 250 years ago. 

Read the post to which I am responding. I am not rambling. The issue is reparations. I believe reparations must be linked to loss off citizenship and repatriation along with other measures. The issue of reparations has also been mooted in the USA. Thus it is relevant. Try reading with more attention to detail to enable you to comment accurately and avoid off topic rambling.

@Nout,

This is a topic about Barbados possibly becoming a republic.

 

You posted ignorant rambling about the future of Barbadians in the UK.

 

I corrected your ignorance.

 

You don't like being proven wrong.

 

The post to which you responded made no mention of the USA.

 

This topic is nothing to do with the USA.

 

It is your rambling on about the USA which is off topic.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Thank you kind sir, but I do not speak the queens English, I am an American.  Chips are not Crisps, French Fries are not Chips, Color is not spelled Colour, Potato is not spelled Potatoe, and mashed peas are just nasty unless in a split pea soup with ham.

And don't forget 'fanny' ????

Not that I really care and contrary to what the Daily Mail will tell you most of us are not imperalistic  however I do note that  the Barbados govenor was appointed by the Queen and not by the people. I also think that if the people are allowed to vote in a free and fair referendum most wouldn't care and those that do would vote to remain. Could be wrong of course but it would just show how out of touch Sandra is with the people and is probably doing this for ratings in the current anti-colonial climate.

 

 

The removal of monarchs started hundred years ago. If people want them for entertainment reasons, fine, but they should just be that and not connected to politics or matters of state in any way.

4 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Maybe there is still hope that the UK will do the same.

And Australia

Troll posts from the grammar police removed. 

 

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Well if this was wonderland and Alice was running after the white rabbit they would just have to say "Off with her head", so tell me again why this is news I thought she was just the Queen of England, and all of the former countries the UK lorded over have been turned into there own countries, but then maybe I have no clue in real time political issues.

Do you actually know anything about anything.?