Jamaican Lawmaker Calling For Queen Elizabeth To Be Removed As Head Of State
In September of 2020, Barbados removed Queen Elizabeth as the head of state. Now a lawmaker is demanding the same be done in Jamaica.
According to Express, Mark Golding, leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), said in a speech to the Jamaican Parliament, "It is worth noting that our sister island in the CARICOM, Barbados, has recently taken the required steps to repatriate their sovereignty by establishing a Barbadian as their head of state and first president. That was a bipartisan exercise concluded in a timely manner from start to finish, through cooperation between the government and opposition in Barbados. I wish to commend them for it."
Golding continued, "We in Jamaica should follow now, right away and without delay. The establishment of a non-executive president as our head of state in replacement of its English monarch was agreed by both major political parties over a decade ago… We can work together to make the required constitutional steps to make this happen in the year coming, which is the nation's 60th anniversary year.”
Golding closed with, "Prime Minister, let us move forward with this now."
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, has said for years he is supportive of Queen Elizabeth being removed as the head of state. However, it does not appear any action has been taken to move forward in the same way as Barbados, which will take effect in December.
