Four words that are unlikely to have been on many Jamaicans’ lips at the weekend, during the coronation ceremony of the King. “Happy and glorious” is also a stretch.
A senior Jamaican minister told Sky News in an exclusive that the coronation had accelerated plans for the country to become a Republic – by next year.
Sky News has revealed that a “urgent” vote could take place “as soon as 2024”. This means Jamaica could become independent from the British monarchy, and have its president by next year.
She said, “While the United Kingdom celebrates the coronation the King of the United Kingdom, that’s for the United Kingdom.”
“Jamaica wants to write a constitution… that will cut ties with our monarch as head of state.”
She said: “The time has come.” Jamaica is in Jamaican hands. It is important to complete the transition, particularly with the monarchy. My government says we must do it immediately.
It’s time to say goodbye!
Ms Malahoo has called her timeline “ambitious” as it involves public consultations, a bill to be brought to Parliament and she hopes to present this month after the coronation.
The bill would need to be approved by the public in a referendum, or “general election”.
Why now?
Former Attorney General said: “Many Jamaicans felt a warm affinity and identified themselves with Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne when Jamaica gained independence.
“But they don’t identify with King Charles.” He is the most foreign thing we have ever seen. “Plain and simple.”
Ms Malahoo told Sky News the desire of her government for Jamaican independence was influenced in part by “internal issues” within the royal family.
She added that “issues” have been in the news. Jamaicans say it’s time to fix and in Jamaica.
Apologies – or the lack thereof – for slavery
Ms Malahoo said that Jamaica’s relationship with the United Kingdom is “complex”.
“[Republicanism] means we are saying goodbye to an outdated form of government, which is tied to the painful past of transatlantic slavery and colonialism.”
National Library of Jamaica reports that during the transatlantic slavery trade, approximately 600,000 slaves from Africa were sent to Jamaica. This made Britain the largest slaver in the Atlantic in 18th century.
This historical event still has a significant impact on the world today.
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Prince William did not apologize for his actions last year during the controversial Caribbean tour of the Prince and Princess.
In his speech he said that slavery was “abhorrent” in that it “should never have occurred”.
His words, however, were not enough for those descendants who had been enslaved.
Sky News quoted Ms Malahoo Forte as saying, “A small step in the right directions but still not enough.”
“If you admit that it was wrong, I wonder why there isn’t a full apology?” You may have to return the wealth that the monarchy took from the people. Taken from places that have been colonised? “Taken from places where people were enslaved?”
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The Question of Reparations
The minister’s acknowledgement of reparations didn’t stop there. “If the acknowledgement is sincere, it must go further,” Malahoo Forte said to Sky News. “A full apology and concrete steps to correct the mistake will be sufficient.”
The government has promised to make reparations for the people of Jamaica.
She continued: “I believe it is a topic that the monarchy needs to think about long and hard as they are themselves struggling with their relevance in today’s world. “I’ve checked the polls!”
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said that King George VI takes slavery “extremely seriously” and that republicanism is “a matter left to each country’s decision”.
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Watch the build up live as the country prepares to coronate the king
The Windrush Scandal hits home
It’s not only the royals who influence public opinion in Jamaica.
Political decisions made four-and-a-half-thousand miles away in Britain are also responsible for Jamaica’s acceleration towards a republic, Ms Malahoo Forte told Sky News.
“Jamaicans in the United Kingdom are victims of the most reprehensible policies, which can be considered racist.”
Windrush was personal to our people. Personal. Personal.
“Unfortunately, UK government got it wrong. People who came to Britain in order to increase the wealth of Britain. These policies are unjust and racist based on nationality, ethnicity and skin color.
It’s not right.
Sky News reported that a government spokesperson said that the UK was “committed” to Jamaica’s relationship “regardless of the country’s constitutional status”, adding that it is “determined to correct the wrongs committed by Windrush… and to ensure such an injustice never occurs again”.
“The unfinished work of decolonisation”
Sky News quoted Professor Rosalea Hamlin, co-chairman of the Advocates Network, which is pushing for constitutional reform. She said that the push for republicanism was “the unfinished work of decolonisation, emancipation, and liberation”.
She said, “Nobody could convince me or anyone else of a tangible benefit that the King would receive as head of state.
Many young people ask what is the significance? What is the effect of a king on the price of bread?
Are Jamaicans prepared to cut ties with the United States?
There are Jamaicans that will be glued to the television, and enjoy all of the pomp and ceremonies. Prof Hamilton stated that the older generation… saw Britain a motherland.
Sky News spotted a group elderly Jamaicans playing Dominoes in Downtown Kingston.
Banton is one of them. He disagrees with 2024 and believes the status quo should be maintained, with the King remaining the island’s head of state and monarch.
He said, “The Crown protects Jamaica.”
“I’m going to tell you something.” Keep to what you know. They’re not good. They’re evil. “But I will continue to stick with the evil I know.”
John, his friend, added: “It is not a good plan.” We don’t believe we are prepared. We lack the resources. We don’t!
“We are just like a baby.” You can’t leave a child in that condition!
The Jamaican Republic is not yet a reality. And the Jamaican Government has a lot of work to do if it wants to keep to the timeline that was shared with Sky News.
If the plan of the Jamaican government is successful, then 2024 will be a year that has a great deal of significance, not only for Jamaicans but also for the Commonwealth and the monarchy.
