NASSAU, Bahamas — Former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes believes it is time for The Bahamas to move away from Great Britain and become a republic, Eyewitness News Bahamas online reported on Tuesday, April 12.
In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News, Sir Arthur lent his support to the ongoing discussion surrounding the removal of the Queen as the country’s head of state and how a transition to a Republic of The Bahamas could look.
“I think it’s a natural consequence, a natural part of our growth from colonialism to full nationhood, that we should have an indigenous head of state and not a foreign monarch as our head of state,” Sir Arthur said.
The recent Caribbean tour by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee has sparked debate over breaking ties with Britain as Jamaica signaled its own intention to “move on” during the royal couple’s stopover in the country.
The tour also inflamed anti-colonial sentiment in the region with calls for reparations, and for former colonies to sever ties with the Commonwealth by seeking to become a republic.
Sir Arthur, who served as the ninth governor-general of The Bahamas from 2012 to 2014, insisted that despite the inevitability of the shift, he still has the highest regard for Queen Elizabeth and her legacy.
While debate for the transition is not new, Sir Arthur said, “As a former colony, I think it is essential that we now move on to have our own indigenous head of state.”
The Bahamas was under British rule for nearly 200 years before it was granted its independence on July 10, 1973.
Queen Elizabeth II remains the monarch and head of state for The Bahamas, though her powers are largely symbolic as she is not involved in day-to-day governing, a constitutional role of the elected Parliament and prime ministers.
In his interview with Eyewitness News, Sir Arthur said the relationship between The Bahamas and the Crown should not change even when the Bahamas decides to make its move.
“There is no reason why sometime in the future when we become a republic, why we could not welcome a visit from the British monarch, whoever he or she happens to be at that time,” Sir Arthur added. See complete article in Eyewitness News Bahamas online at https://ewnews.com/indigenous-head-of-state-former-gg-says-time-for-removal-of-the-queen?fbclid=IwAR2Jcvqci_cb4Hj2hWyQEQWAq5jwd1C1uaDq5Zv6Hh2HNIHg_G2Usg97-I8
