The Republican movement may get steam in the British domain around the world, but in the small heaven of the anti -struck and barbuda caribbean, the inhabitants clearly mix feelings about the encouragement of their leaders to solve the last relationship.
A few days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Antigua and Barbuda became the first of 14 of the remaining realms now controlled by his son, Charles, to openly float the idea of changing the King of England as Head of State.
Doing that will not be a “hostility action” but “the last step to complete the circle of independence,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne told British Broadcasters ITV News, said that he hoped to hold a referendum about the problem in the next three years.
Does the people want to take the step as an open question, acknowledged Browne Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst during an interview at the Prime Minister’s office facing the capital of St. John Port on the main island of the country, Antigua.
“We are not sure,” he said Friday. If Browne wins the next general election, which must be held in 2023, the years before the referendum is spent “selling ideas” to anti -arms and barbudance.
At St. John’s Busy Market Street, most residents agreed that the idea needed to be sold.
“I think we have to live with the crown. This country cannot manage itself,” Leonie Barker who is 53 years old told AFP after buying food in front of Fiona’s tropical storm, because it brushed through the island on Friday night.
Others say that it is still too early to take a stand.
Education and involvement is needed about the idea, said Peter Thomas, who is 58 years old.
“I think we have reached the stage in life (where) we want to be alone, but are we ready? That’s the next story,” he said.
Fashion designer and singer Kelly Richardson also said that the island residents need more information, adding that he doesn’t think it is “a bad idea.”
“I’m open to change,” he told AFP from behind dark sunglasses.
Some can see the potential on both sides.
Antigua has come far since independence in 1981, JC Cornelius’s local cameraman argues, so when it comes to release the queen as head of state – “Why not?”
But once again, he added, “Unity and one love is really key. So, with the queen … I mean, why not?”
The problem is, he said, will require “some good diligent considerations.”
‘Less than independence’
The referendum expected by Browne will come almost 400 years after England first colonized Antigua in 1632, followed by Barbuda neighbors in 1678.
Settlers began planting sugar on islands – but with the native of the Caribbean who were dying by thousands of people throughout the region, they imported African slaves to care for profitable plants.
Emancipation finally came in 1833, and many of the 97,000 anti -struggles and Barbuda today are slave descendants.
The country, whose economy is now very dependent on tourism, has become an independent country for more than four decades – but, argues that the Hurst government spokesman, it is a funny type of independence.
“Monarchy is in England, we do not deceive ourselves,” he told AFP.
“This is somewhat less than independence when your head of state is determined not by you, but by a tradition located 6,000 miles away.”
Every control worn by the British is mostly procedural, however, he said – and escape from it is “symbolic.”
“Most will have a psychological impact on anti -struggles and barbuda, that is the main goal,” he said.
But whether the younger generation is influenced by injuries in the past, however, it seems to be a question about some debate.
The biggest concern for generation Z is not the soul of the nation but its development, a 19-year-old student of Katani Sinclair told AFP, giving a signal to colorful buildings around the center of St John-some of which had been damaged.
The process of holding a referendum to eliminate the British monarchy will be a waste of expensive money that can be spent elsewhere, he said.
“I really believe that Antigua should not be a republic. It’s not ready,” Sinclair said.