Go Barbados ?

Forsythia

Keeper1

I have read I do not know if it is true that they have taken a very large sum of money from China.

The last time I was in Antigua I spoke to a government official who told me how the new airport was being provided by China and was concerned at the involvement China was having and how they were buying up the world resources.

They built the new highway in Jamaica that runs from Kingston to Ochi however they bought in their own labour. I wonder if they are offering financial incentives?

I wonder ….? I think it’s highly likely but personally my view is let them all get on with it.

Absolutely. Read that this Republic was made in a short time, with not much involvement from the people of Barbados.
apple.news/AtRJb7cSVQ0KFK_gYgpNYUg. Still good luck to them.

Keeper1

I have read I do not know if it is true that they have taken a very large sum of money from China.

The last time I was in Antigua I spoke to a government official who told me how the new airport was being provided by China and was concerned at the involvement China was having and how they were buying up the world resources.

They built the new highway in Jamaica that runs from Kingston to Ochi however they bought in their own labour. I wonder if they are offering financial incentives?

I wonder ….? I think it’s highly likely but personally my view is let them all get on with it.

I have read I do not know if it is true that they have taken a very large sum of money from China.

The last time I was in Antigua I spoke to a government official who told me how the new airport was being provided by China and was concerned at the involvement China was having and how they were buying up the world resources.

They built the new highway in Jamaica that runs from Kingston to Ochi however they bought in their own labour. I wonder if they are offering financial incentives?

Jamaican PM Andrew Holness has announced that Jamaica's Constitution - much of which is based on British law - will undergo a major review next year. This comes as Barbados is set to remove the Queen as its head of state in a matter of hours.

Back to Barbados there has just been an interesting programme on BBC news channel about it becoming a republic.

His Catholic enemies said he was homosexual, it is by no means certain. To my Orange family in Northern Ireland he will forever be King Billy, revered by the protestants.

If he wasn't a homosexual it would be likely he had illegitimate children. Elizabeth Villiers was believed to be his mistress, their relationship ended in 1695, her daughter was born in 1696 so who knows. The certainty is he had no legitimate children.

William 111rd had no children at all legitimate or illegitimate. Dutch William was purported to be homosexual, but it was only whispered, particularly in the Dutch court.

My husband is descended from slaves in Barbados. He doesn't blame the Queen for slavery as she wasn't born at the time. You can't even get her on "The sins of the Fathers" in relation to Elizabeth I or William III as she died childless and he had no legitimate children.

He does get annoyed that all his working life his taxes contributed to the reparations to slave owners, well paying off the loans.

I think it is quite telling that the families who were historically involved in the anti slavery movement are families/people who don't use their titles.

That’s true Grany, she’s 95!

No worries Casdon, I really am surprised at the focus on the Commonwealth here.

I had a look at the Commonwealth website and I must say that the role of the Head of the Commonwealth doesn't seem to be a key item for them. I understand that it was a major achievement for the Queen but I'm yet to be convinced that countries who want to join do so in order to have some of the Royal glitz rub off on them.

I had not noticed that Barbados are leaving the Commonwealth, seriously. For me its a much bigger deal that they want to be a republic.

Today there are 44 monarchies in the world, 16 of them with the Queen as their head of state. On November 30 this year there will be 43 monarchies, 15 of them with the Queen as their head of state. One day it'll be zero and zero.

Sorry if I diverted it away from your original intent Alegrias1. I’ve always thought the Queen’s role as Head of the Commonwealth was more important than her role as sovereign of former colonies, so I really didn’t see any news in Barbados becoming a republic, whereas if they had left the commonwealth I would have been shocked. We all see the world differently I guess.

Casdon

I think about half the countries in the commonwealth have the Queen as sovereign, and some countries have joined as republics. However, it was developed by her father and nurtured by her, so it’s certainly a proud achievement, which is valued by the members, and which Charles will continue.

33 out of 54 countries are republics.

Its a great achievement, granted. But its really got nothing to do with Barbados becoming a republic.

I thought I would see some interesting posts on this thread but I never thought we'd spend most of it talking about the Commonwealth. Charles will continue it, BTW, because the Queen let it be known that she wanted it to be him. Who would argue with a well-respected elderly lady?

Lalu Hanuman, of the 13th June 1980 Movement, said: “A lot of people don’t realise the linkages between the Royal Family and slavery. Their hands are mired in it. And a substantial amount of their wealth came from it.”

“Kensington Palace was directly built off of the slave trade by King William III. Before that Elizabeth I granted a royal charter to Sir John Hawkins and provided him with ships for the slave trade. She also gave him his own coat of arms, which depicted a chained African person.”

The slave trade resulted in 12million African people being snatched from their countries. Five million were taken to the Caribbean, including 600,000 to Barbados. And their deaths ran into the millions.

After the vile trade was abolished in 1833, ex-slave owners, including relatives of the royals, were compensated. But the slaves got nothing.

Keeper1

When I was in St Lucia quite a lot of the locals I chatted to bemoaned leaving.

St Lucia is still in the Commonwealth, always has been I think...

I think about half the countries in the commonwealth have the Queen as sovereign, and some countries have joined as republics. However, it was developed by her father and nurtured by her, so it’s certainly a proud achievement, which is valued by the members, and which Charles will continue.

Casdon

I think in terms of what the Queen has achieved during her reign, the nurturing and growth of the commonwealth is the single most important aspect Alegrias1.

Well that's good Casdon.

But clearly being a monarchy has got nothing to do with being in the Commonwealth any more.

There is going to be protest tomorrow in Barbados when Charles goes there. He should be apologising about the monarchies role in slavery but he won't.

I think in terms of what the Queen has achieved during her reign, the nurturing and growth of the commonwealth is the single most important aspect Alegrias1.

When I was in St Lucia quite a lot of the locals I chatted to bemoaned leaving.

CraftyGranny

You have made it quite clear Alegrias that you don't like our Monarchy in lots of previous posts.
Why start another thread?

I beg your pardon?

I can start threads about anything I like and if you're not interested you don't have to read them.

The Commonwealth aspect had never occurred to me Casdon. I admire a country that realises it doesn't need to rely on a hereditary monarchy. I like the fact that countries are making constitutional decisions that suit themselves.

Alegrias1

Taking a step into the future.

www.ctvnews.ca/world/a-new-republic-is-born-barbados-celebrates-ditching-queen-as-head-of-state-1.5678942

The commonwealth should ditch the Royals as only a few countries have monarchy Royals keep well Done Barbados I think Jamaica will be next

The Queen is the Head of the Commonwealth, which as far as I know none of the countries of the commonwealth has challenged, as Charles has already been designated as her successor. No longer having her as the sovereign doesn’t change the responsibility as Head of the Commonwealth, I don’t think a former colony becoming a republic changes anything unless I’m missing something?

You have made it quite clear Alegrias that you don't like our Monarchy in lots of previous posts.
Why start another thread?