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The Caribbean nation’s Governor-General, Sandra Mason, stated in a speech on Tuesday that “the time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind.”
She stated the nation will change into a republic as early as November of next year, when it celebrates its 55th anniversary of independence from the British empire.
The Queen is head of state of the United Kingdom and 15 different nations that had been previously below British rule — together with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica and a number of other different island nations within the Caribbean and Indian Ocean.
But many Barbadians have lengthy agitated to take away her standing — and with it, the lingering symbolic presence of imperialism over its governance — and a number of leaders this century have proposed that the nation change into a republic.
“Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” Mason stated, studying a speech written by the nation’s Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, on the state opening of Parliament on Tuesday.
“Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence.”
A royal supply instructed CNN that the choice is a matter for the federal government and folks of Barbados.
Several nations dropped the Queen as head of state within the years after they gained independence, with Mauritius the final to take action, in 1992.
But Barbados’ transfer to fast-track a course of that had beforehand been mooted for a public vote may sign a brand new wave of nations contemplating a push towards full self-governance, notably as the historic position of the British empire comes below renewed scrutiny.
Mason cites a warning by Barbados’ first Prime Minister, Errol Walton Barrow, towards “loitering on colonial premises.”
“That warning is as relevant today as it was in 1966,” she stated. “Having attained Independence over half a century ago, our country can be in no doubt about its capacity for self-governance.”
Barbados stays a member of the Commonwealth, a union of 54 nations that had been principally former British territories.
CNN’s Max Foster contributed to this report.
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