Antigua & Barbuda, and possibly other countries in the OECS and the wider Caribbean still under the Crown, could be influenced to become a republic if Jamaica successfully makes the transition.
But according to former British high commissioner Sir Ronald Sanders, the move should have no other affect on these nations.
Jamaica’s new prime minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, has already announced her government’s interest in moving in this direction.
Sir Sanders noted that Antigua and the other Commonwealth members need not worry about losing Jamaica, since many other countries have obtained the status of republic while remaining in the circle.
This includes Dominica, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago.
“Should Jamaica decide to become a republic, it is most unlikely to leave the Commonwealth,” said the former high commissioner, who clarified that the notion of Jamaica becoming a republic is still a question to be determined through Jamaica’s constitutional requirements.
Sir Sanders said that while the Queen of England is the sovereign of 15 Commonwealth countries, she is head of the Commonwealth only as “a symbol of the voluntary association” of Commonwealth states, and this has been so since 1949, when India became the first republic in the Commonwealth.
“Jamaica derives enormous benefits (and no disadvantages) from being a member of the Commonwealth. Since becoming a republic, if that is the decision that the people of Jamaica make, I am confident Jamaica will not leave the Commonwealth, and it does not have to,” Sir Sanders said.
Further, he added that while the move might be an impetus for governments of other Caribbean countries to follow, each country will have to follow its own procedures to do so.
Caribarena.com also attempted to contact Sir Gerald Watt QC for a comment on Tuesday, but this proved futile.
