Title of Article: Is Barbados about to ditch the Queen? Prime minister says Caribbean island is ready to ‘complete the process of decolonization’.
Author: Jennifer Newton
Date Published: March 23,2015
Summary:
The article discusses the statement made by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, on removing Queen Elizabeth as the Head of State and his hope into finally making Barbados a republic. Plans to make Barbados into a republic have been at play for a number of years, but there was always a problem here and there. The Queen has been absent from Barbados, the last visitation she made was 26 years ago and Stuart finds it awkward to have to pledge allegiance to her when she isn't really apart of it. The article also discusses just how the English wound up all the way in Barbados and the answer is quite simple, the wealth acquired from sugar and tobacco plantations. Although the main part of the article was the Prime Minister's plans on taking the Queen's place as Head of State and finally making Barbados into what its meant to be, a republic.
Personal Thoughts:
I personally agree with the Prime Minister, the Queen really has nothing to do with Barbados any longer so what is the point of her staying Head of the State? She has been absent from there for a very long time and doesn't really belong anymore. I realize tradition could be big problem here with the people wanting to maintain that, but then again most people agree that Barbados should become a republic and a good step in that direction is to remove the Queen as the Head of State. The Queen doesn't need to be a part of everything and should allow Barbados to be free if that is what they want. The Prime Minster is eagerly working to make this happen and I completely hope he can finally do it after all of these years of failed attempts by others.
Ties to the Political Life:
Well its pretty obvious, it involves the Prime Minister and Head of State of Barbados which basically control the politics there. The idea that they could be changing Barbados into a republic is a big deal in the political aspect of it. The politics could be rearranged and having a new Head of State might change things essentially. Or not, it could just stay the same but its still a big deal to remove someone from a role in the government who has been there for many decades. And its not just any politician, its Queen Elizabeth. The idea of ever kicking a royal out of anything is crazy and yet Prime Minister Freundel Stuart might actually be the one who finally does it.