Republicanism in the Bahamas

In 2002, the government of the Bahamas appointed a Constitutional Review Commission which asked for public opinion which included on keeping the British monarch as head of state. Its preliminary report concluded "mixed feelings" on the matter.[3] The commission concluded that “The abolition of the English monarch as Head of State of the Bahamas is part of the evolutionary process toward a truly peoples Government”.[4] The 2012 commission made similar conclusions as the 2004 Commission,“At this time, the Commission does not recommend any change in the Office of the Governor General as the representative of the Queen as Head of State under our system of constitutional monarchy,"

“The Commission is nonetheless of the view that this is the inevitable terminus of constitutional evolution to full sovereignty and independence. Moreover, we cannot allow ourselves the delusional luxury of assuming that the Queen (or King) of England will forever be available to be Sovereign of The Bahamas.”[4]

The 2013 commission recommended the government of the Bahamas began a process of public education to prepare the citizens of the Bahamas for a republican form of government in the future. No government has followed that advice as of May 2023.[5]

In January 2020, Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd said that the Bahamas should have a discussion on becoming a republic.[4][6]

In September 2020, former Attorney General Sean McWeeney, Q.C. said that the Bahamas becoming a republic is an inevitable part of the political evolution of the country and would likely need to be driven by the Bahamian government.[7]

It is reported that Barbados becoming a republic in 2021 has encouraged republican movements elsewhere in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas.[8]

In December 2021, the Office of the Prime Minister Press Secretary Clint Watson said that a transition to republic was not currently on the agenda of the Davis administration.[9] In the same month the former Director of Culture Dr. Nicolette Bethel suggested that a federal republic would be the best system of government for the Bahamas.[10] Also in December 2021, Sarah Dickson, British high commissioner to the Bahamas said that the future of the head of state of the Bahamas was up to the Bahamian people and that the UK and the Royal Family would continue to be friends of the country, working cloesly on a variety of matters, regardless.[11]

In March 2022, Renward Wells suggested that the Bahams was ready to become a republic with former Progressive Liberal Party (MP) Leslie Miller suggesting it would not happen in his lifetime.[12]

In the same month, the royal visit of Williams and Catherine was criticised for their visit including by the Bahamas National Reparations Committee (BNRC), citing the cost to the people of the Bahamas with reference to slavery and colonisation.[2][13] A rise in support for an elected head of state was reported for the region of the Caribbean including the Bahamas, with the royal trip aimed at reducing momentum of the movement.[14] There was reported to be a feeling in the Bahamas that the monarchy was outdated with protests during the visits.[15] Jah Mickey Bowe, vice chair of the House of Rastafari in the Bahamas, stated “We, in the Bahamas, have seen very few examples of how the monarchy benefits our country in any aspect." He added, “We don’t see how the celebration of our oppressors helps us any; the royal family should apologise for slavery and bring reparations to all of the Commonwealth countries".[2] Prince William said that the royal family would “support with pride and respect your decisions about your future".[16][17]

In September 2022, following the death of Elizabeth II, the republican movement in the Bahamas was reported to have gained momentum. Prime minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis said that he requires the support of the public of the Bahamas before proceeding with the process, “The only challenge with us moving to a republic is that I can’t, as much as I would wish to do it, I cannot do it without your consent". He added, “I will have a referendum and the Bahamian people will have to say to me, ‘yes’.”[18][19][20][21][22]

In the same month, Social services minister Obie Wilchcombe said, “There will be some discussions I am sure in our country about moving on,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “I have heard some of my colleagues express for a long time and that is a debate that will happen. The truth is The Bahamas has grown and we’re going to be 50 years old next year and we have come a long way from a fishing village to a colony and we’re now independent."[23][24]

In May 2023, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said that he thinks the Bahamas should have a head of state from the Bahamas.[25]