Republicanism in Antigua and Barbuda

Republicanism in Antigua and Barbuda is a movement for the replacement of the constitutional monarchy of Antigua and Barbuda with a republican form of government.

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Background

Antigua and Barbuda became independent from Britain in 1981 and is currently one of 15 Commonwealth members that share the same individual as monarch and head of state.[1] Its system of government is described as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy and is a Commonwealth realm.[2]

History

In 1994, the Prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda Lester Bird reportedly stated to Fidel Castro that he contemplated moving Barbados towards becoming a republic. After Bird explained that the then-Queen did not interfere in the politics of the country, Castro suggested that Antigua and Barbuda remain as it is and that, if that was the case, the monarch may provide a confidence in the constitution of the country.[3][4]

By 2010 in the Caribbean, both Barbados and Jamaica showed a movement towards a republic with some interest also in Antigua and Barbuda as well as Grenada.[5]

Information Minister Melford Nicholas said in 2020 that Antigua and Barbuda was likely to consider becoming a republic in the future, but that the focus at the time was returning the economy to its state prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

After Barbados became a republic in December 2021, Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez called for the government of Antigua and Barbuda to do the same.[7] The Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission, Dorbrene O’Marde, echoed Fernandez, but went on to say the move could include challenges.[8] Political and social commentator Carlon Knight said that other structural matters should be tended to before Antigua and Barbuda became a republic.[9][10][11]

In January 2022, Ronald Sanders said it was more than likely that by 2030, the eight independent Commonwealth countries which are British constitutional monarchies with the Queen as head of state, will become republics. He also added that the path is open for the prime ministers of those countries to start discussions with the leaders of all the political parties for a move to becoming a republic and to decide whether a ceremonial or executive president would be most suitable. He also suggested a broad consensus for a potential Memorandum of Understanding.[12][13][14]

Royal tour period

During a royal tour by the Earl and Countess of Wessex in April 2022, the Prime Minister stated that Antigua and Barbuda would "one day become a republic", but the move was "not on the cards" at that time.[15][16]

In the same month, historian Ivor Ford suggested that most people in Antigua and Barbuda wanted to replace the Queen as head of state. He added that young people don't relate to the royal family and that the new head of state should be democratically elected.[17] In the same month, Dorbrene E. O'Marde sugegsted considering the Dominican Republic model, which was implemented at the time of the country's independence.[18]

In June, the government clarified its position by saying that becoming a republic was not a current priority.[19]

Following new monarch

In September 2022, following the death of Elizabeth II, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne said he would call for a referendum on becoming a republic within three years, claiming it would finalize independence[20][21][22][23] although the country gained independence in 1981.[1] He also added that this would not mean losing commonwealth membership and, "I think most people haven’t even bothered to think about it."[1] Browne added that his ambitions were to hold a referendum in the next term of government.[24] Antigua and Barbuda was the first country to suggest a move towards becoming a republic after the death of Elizabeth II.[25]

In April 2023, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus held the monthly public advocacy series discussing "The Case for Republicanism", Vice Chairman of the Caricom Reparations Commission, Dorbrene O’Marde said the move should be bipartisan, involving both political parties.[26]

In May 2023, lecturer in law at Bangor University Dr Craig Prescott, suggested that a referendum on becoming a republic is likely within a few years in both Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica.[27]

Opinion polling

A 2023 Lord Ashcroft poll found that 47 per cent of the those surveyed favoured becoming a republic, with 45 percent preferring to keep the monarchy and eight per cent undecided.[28][29]

See also

References
  1. "Antigua and Barbuda planning vote to become republic within three years, media report". Reuters. 2022-09-11. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  2. "Antigua and Barbuda", The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2023-05-02, retrieved 2023-05-09
  3. "COMMENTARY: Has the time come for Caribbean Republics?". Antigua News Room. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  4. S, Ronald; ers (2020-09-21). "Has the time come for Caribbean republics?". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  5. Ritchie, Jonathan; Markwell, Don (2006-10-01). "Australian and Commonwealth republicanism". The Round Table. 95 (387): 727–737. doi:10.1080/00358530601046976. ISSN 0035-8533.
  6. "Antigua and Barbuda in no rush to become a republic". Antigua News Room. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  7. jennelsa.johnson (2021-12-01). "Fernandez wants A&B to follow Barbados' lead and become a Republic". Antigua Observer Newspaper. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  8. "'Antigua and Barbuda should aspire to republicanism, but there will be challenges' –O'Marde".
  9. "Experts discuss views on Antigua and Barbuda becoming a republic".
  10. Fleary, Sinai (2021-12-06). "Antigua and Barbuda the next Caribbean nation to become a republic?". Voice Online. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  11. "Now Antigua is keen for republic status". www.caymaniantimes.ky. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  12. "Commonwealth Caribbean countries – all Republics by 2030?". Antigua News Room. 2022-01-14. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  13. Digital, V. P. (2022-01-16). "Commonwealth Caribbean countries – all Republics by 2030?". St. Lucia News From The Voice. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  14. Phillips, Melanie. "Monarchy can be a bulwark against tyranny". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  15. "Edward and Sophie told Antigua and Barbuda wants to 'one day' be a republic during Caribbean visit".
  16. "Royal couple told of Antigua and Barbuda's wish to be republic". BBC News. 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  17. "Why British royals face simmering resentment in Caribbean". BBC News. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  18. "Antigua and Barbuda: The Republic". Antigua News Room. 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  19. "Government clarifies republic plans after apparent misunderstandings in UK media ".
  20. Association, Press (2022-09-11). "Antigua and Barbuda to hold republic referendum within three years, says PM". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  21. "Antigua and Barbuda plans referendum to become republic". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  22. "Antigua and Barbuda planning vote to become republic within three years, media report". euronews. 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  23. "Caribbean republican shift may be slow and limited". Emerald Expert Briefings. oxan–db (oxan–db). 2022-01-01. doi:10.1108/OXAN-DB272836. ISSN 2633-304X.
  24. "PM pledges referendum on country becoming a republic".
  25. "Republican Movements Catch Wind in Caribbean After Queen's Death". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  26. "UWI panellists say A&B's transition to republican status needs to be bipartisan".
  27. Unit, The Constitution. "Antigua and Barbuda". The Constitution Unit Blog. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  28. "Uncharted Realms: The Future of the Monarchy in the UK and Around the World - Lord Ashcroft Polls". lordashcroftpolls.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  29. "LORD ASHCROFT CORONATION POLL: UK BACKS MONARCHY, BUT SIX COUNTRIES WOULD VOTE TO BECOME REPUBLICS IN REFERENDUM TOMORROW". autos.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
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