The debate on Republic has begun

As of Monday, March 28, 2022

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Well the debate on Republic or not Republic has started and hopefully the commentators will do their research and not talk total garbage so we get a mixed up opinion of untruths.

Set the stage... debate Wednesday on changes to National Awards heard significant two words stated by a Government Minister ‘No consensus’.... Does that mean at a Cabinet meeting the Ministers could not agree either way - Republic or stay as is? Does it mean to the PLP National Council there is no consensus?

The former, if accurate, the Ministers, that causes one to conclude seemingly a potential opinion that the younger newer Ministers are not in favour of a Republic - I see that as the likes of Hanna Martin - Mitchell - Sears possibly Wilchcombe would certainly be in favour.

So what if......

Really the model used most in the Commonwealth where the majority by far of the member States are Republics basic change is solely and only the name change Governor General becomes President - everything otherwise stays the same... justice system Privy Council goes as does the much loved British Honours, you know we all want a British ‘Sir’ or CMG or even a CBE - MBE, etc. Then an Executive President elected, not appointed, with a Parliament. Not determined by composition of Parliament.

The simplest and easiest form is the first... change of name... but there will have to be a sell as there was for Independence as is UK guarantees nothing except in the bilateral Defense Agreement.

Now should we? After 50 years this coming year as an Independent State there surely are no presumed risks of economic dangers as the majority of the Commonwealth have taken this step and all survived. As Minister Mitchell said ‘statehood building’.

50 years on does the Constitution need revising - amending? Yes, the issue of Right to Citizenship has to be equalized once and for all... see this Government appealing the Supreme Court Appeal decision on citizenship....so if the Privy Council supports that position then what? The Davis Government will be forced to change the rules...could it mean a referendum or just an amendment to the Citizenship Act?

Surely, any person born of a Bahamian, no gender qualification, should be Bahamian....let’s stop this fooliness and stupidity.

My thoughts will listen attentively to the speeches around the HRH Royal visit if PM indicates his course of choice.

JEROME JOHNSON

Nassau,

March 25, 2022.

JokeyJack 2 years, 7 months ago

What a joke !!!! This debate was covered completely by the last election in which the Bahamian people chose to elect a "brave" man to represent them with the Queen's permission.

The Party that put forward a plan to make the Bahamas move toward becoming a republic was the Coalition of Independents, under their Chairman Charlotte Green.

The Bahamian people chose to remain slaves. End of story. Wait until the next 5 years silly rabbit.

truetruebahamian 2 years, 7 months ago

Never! Myself, my children, my family and their children will never take this as a serious consideration, neither that nor the reparations conversation. Real Bahamians should hold firm and revel in our rare and valued heritage.

Alan1 2 years, 7 months ago

We are fortunate to have the democratic foundation of a constitutional monarchy. It has served us well over many years as it continues to do so in our neighbour Canada where there is NO republic talk. How would we benefit by a republic? I can see no advantage. We have a free Parliament, an impartial Governor-General and the British style court system which is the envy of the world. That is why investment comes here. Their money and resources are safe here. The world including some Commonwealth countries have abolished the Monarchy. Most of them have become failed third world republics like Zimbabwe. The economy is in a perilous state there, mass unemployment, little if no investment coming in , a dictatorial President and human rights abuses. But now they are "free" of the Monarchy and have become a total disaster. Let us as Bahamians be proud of our history and heritage. The Royal Visit was a smashing success. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge interacted so well with all the Bahamians and are eager to help us with our problems. The Queen's tremendous record of service to the Commonwealth is to be highly appreciated. We need to look at all the benefits we have under this proven system of government. To the doubters all I can say is "Wake up to the real world". !

GodSpeed 2 years, 7 months ago

Say the Bahamas wakes up tomorrow a Republic.

Still can't feed our own people, relying on imports, still backing our currency with US dollars, still high unemployment, still high violent crime, still D average, still can't defend your own airspace, still can't defend your own borders, still getting flooded with illegals and still would need the help of the US and UK if the shit really hits the fan, it's completely meaningless. Focus on what's important.