Government of Antigua and Barbuda Prepares to Drop British Monarchy as Head of State

Gaston Browne

After announcing its plans to drop the British Monarch eight months ago, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is on the brink of becoming a republic. According to Loop Caribbean News, following Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s return to Antigua and Barbuda after attending the coronation of King Charles the Third, his government’s position on becoming a republic was communicated via a Cabinet release. The statement from Cabinet said, quote, “despite their participation, the Head of Government reiterated his administration’s determination to bring about a Republican form of Government, rather than continue ad infinitum the constitutional monarchy as now exists”, end quote. The country announced that a referendum will be held sometime in the future but he could not give a timeframe. Here are comments from Prime Minister Gaston Browne made several months ago on the topic, courtesy British news television channel, ITV.

Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda

“This is not an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the Monarchy, but it is the final step as I have said before to complete that circle of independence to ensure that we are truly sovereign nation.”

Reporter

“What sort of time frame would you think on a referendum then?”

Gaston Browne

“So, I would say, probable within the next three years and this does not represent any form of disrespect to the monarchy. But, it represents the aspirations of a people, a long standing aspiration.”

A part from Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Belize have expressed their intention to drop the British Monarch as head of state.