Jamaican government urged to ‘fully decolonise’ with bill to ditch King Charles

Numerous Jamaicans wish for their nation to replace King Charles as head of state, but a government bill aimed at achieving this has disappointed some monarchy critics who feel the reform should extend further to eliminate colonial connections. Jamaica achieved independence in 1962; however, similar to 13 other former British colonies, it continues to have the British monarch as its head of state.

Public sentiment on the Caribbean island of almost 3 million inhabitants has been changing for years, and in December, Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s government introduced a bill to oust King Charles.

Hundreds of thousands of African slaves were transported to Jamaica during transatlantic slavery, and numerous researchers and activists argue that the impact of slavery and colonialism has led to or contributed to persistent inequalities. Increasing demands from African and Caribbean countries for reparations to rectify historical injustices have contributed to a change in perspective across the area.

So far, Britain has dismissed requests for reparations. Regarding the topic of abolishing the monarchy as the head of state, Buckingham Palace typically states that these decisions should be made by the local citizens and their politicians. During a trip to the Bahamas in 2022, Prince William, currently the heir to the throne, expressed his support and respect for any decision Caribbean countries choose regarding their future.

The Jamaican proposal – which may be discussed in parliament as soon as this month or next – would need to be approved in a referendum if it is approved. Prior to that, various critics – among them the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) – are voicing concerns about the method for selecting a future president, the responsibilities assigned to that individual, and which court should serve as Jamaica’s highest court of appeal.

But he added: “We must make sure that it’s not a cosmetic surgery being done… we don’t want to swap having a British monarch… to having a titular president. I would like to see an executive president, directly elected by the people.”

Persistent demands from certain Jamaicans to eliminate the monarchy gained momentum following Barbados, another former Caribbean colony, ousting the late Queen Elizabeth from her role as head of state in 2021. During a 2022 visit by the royal, Holness informed Prince William that his nation wished to be “independent.”

A 2022 poll conducted by Don Anderson revealed that 56% of Jamaicans favored the removal of the monarch, a rise from 40% ten years prior.

US military backing for Ukraine is uncertain, and discussions about a minerals agreement have fallen apart after a troubled White House meeting where Donald Trump cautioned Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he was “risking world war three” and advised the Ukrainian leader to return “when he is prepared for peace.”

Zelenskyy departed the White House prematurely, and a press conference intended to reveal the minerals agreement was called off after Trump reprimanded Zelenskyy following an ambush orchestrated by vice-president JD Vance to damage the delicate rapport between the two leaders.

On Friday, the US president met with the Ukrainian president to talk about a contentious mineral resources agreement that Trump claims is the initial move toward a ceasefire deal he aims to negotiate between Russia and Ukraine. However, the meeting on Friday deteriorated when Zelenskyy proposed that Vance, who is doubtful about US backing for Ukraine, should visit the nation to witness the devastation caused by the invasion and that Russia was accountable for the ongoing conflict.

The gathering was set to proceed privately, but ended abruptly following the clear show of hostility in the Oval Office. Shortly after, Trump issued a statement implying that the two had not finalized the minerals agreement.

“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” he said. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

During the public part of the meeting, Trump and Vance took turns to berate Zelenskyy, with Vance accusing him of carrying out “publicity tours” and Trump telling him: “You’re not really in a good position right now.”

At one point Vance demanded: “Have you said thank you once?”

Picking up the theme, Trump told Zelenskyy: “Do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”

Trump subsequently presented Zelenskyy with an ultimatum, indicating that Ukraine needed to either “reach an agreement or we’re done” – implying that the US might withdraw from negotiations and cease support for Kyiv more than three years following Russia’s all-out invasion.

“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” Trump continued. “You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good … You don’t have the cards right now with us, you’ll start having problems right now.”

Trump also told Zelenskyy that “Putin went through a hell of a lot with me” over the impeachment scandal during his first term in office. “He wants to make a deal,” said Trump. “I don’t know if you can make a deal.”

At one point in the exchange, the Ukrainian ambassador to Washington appeared to be holding her head in her hands.

“The problem is, I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think he’d be a tough guy without the United States, and your people are very brave,” Trump said. “But you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out, and if we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”

Trump ended the meeting by saying that Zelenskyy was not “acting thankful” and “that’s not a nice thing”.

“This is going to be great television,” he concluded.