By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 8, 2023 – Given the very strong representation The Bahamas had at the coronation of King Charles III in London on Saturday, May 6, a legitimate question can certainly be raised about whether the once very well organized movement in The Bahamas in support of the country becoming a Republic still has legitimacy.
Clearly, the congratulatory message sent to King Charles III by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis strongly suggests that The Bahamas would like to remain a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
“On behalf of the Government and people of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I extend heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Charles III on the occasion of his coronation and ascension to the throne,” the Prime Minister declared in a post on his Facebook page on Saturday, May 6.
He added: “As a realm country within the Commonwealth, The Bahamas has a unique and special connection to the British monarchy. We share a deep and enduring bond with the British people, reflecting our shared history, values, and aspirations for a better future. The Coronation of King Charles III marks a new chapter in this relationship, and we look forward to working closely with His Majesty and the British government to further strengthen our ties and promote mutual prosperity.
“King Charles III’s lifelong commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development is particularly noteworthy, and we commend his unwavering dedication to this cause. As a country at the forefront of the climate change battle, we in The Bahamas stand ready to partner with His Majesty in addressing the urgent challenges our planet faces, and to safeguard the environment for future generations.
“In this new era of the British monarchy, we are confident that under the wise and compassionate leadership of King Charles III, our friendship and cooperation will continue to flourish. We wish His Majesty a long and prosperous reign, and may his rule be characterized by peace, progress, and unity.”
Meanwhile, Jamaica has already instituted measures to sever ties with the British Commonwealth. Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica’s minister for legal and constitutional affairs, in an interview published in Britain’s SKY NEWS on May 4, said that the coronation “has accelerated the country’s plans to become a republic – as soon as next year.”
“While the United Kingdom is celebrating the coronation of the King, that is for the United Kingdom,” she said. “Jamaica is looking to write a new constitution… which will sever ties with the monarch as our head of state.”
She was further quoted as saying: “Time has come. Jamaica in Jamaican hands. We have to get it done, especially with the transition in the monarchy. My government is saying we have to do it now. Time to say goodbye!”
Jamaica will be joining Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago as former British colonies in the West Indies that have replaced the British Monarch as their Head of state. Barbados became a Republic on November 30, 2021, and Trinidad and Tobago did on August 1, 1976.
King Charles III is the monarch and head of state for 15 sovereign countries, collectively known as the Commonwealth realms — Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and the United Kingdom (UK).
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has also expressed a wish for his country to become a Republic and has announced plans to hold a referendum on the issue within the next three
An official visit by Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to Commonwealth-member countries in the Caribbean and South America in March of 2022 triggered protests in several countries, including Jamaica, with protesters demanding an apology and slavery reparations. The issue of becoming a Republic was also hotly debated.
There were strong indications in recent years amidst a rising crescendo of a vocal debate that The Bahamas might likewise become a Republic, but none of the five Prime Ministers since The Bahamas was granted its independence by Great Britain on July 10, 1973 – Sir Lynden Pindling, Perry Christie, Hubert Ingraham, Dr. Hubert Minnis and current PM Philip “Brave” Davis –has embraced the idea with any visible degree of support.
Indeed, in an article published in The Tribune on September 15, 2022, Prime Minister Davis said his administration will let Bahamians decide whether The Bahamas should transition into a Republic.
“I will have to have a referendum and the Bahamian people will have to say to me, ‘yes’. ”, Prime Minister Davis was quoted as saying.
In that same article, former Prime Minister Christie was quoted as saying: “The question and challenge now is that the new king, King Charles, will have the role to play that his mother played magnificently and the question will be how effective that will be to keep everything going in the way it has in the past.”
He added: “It obviously hasn’t become much of a question to date in The Bahamas. We have a new government and it’s for them to continue to look closely at governance in our country and make a determination, hopefully with the support of our people as to which steps we take in our maturation process and that’s what it’s all about.”
According to The Tribune’s article, former Prime Minister Ingraham said he was not an advocate “for any changes,” adding that he liked The Bahamas as it is now.
Obviously, there is no groundswell of support for The Bahamas to become a Republic.
