6 Countries That Want to Exit the Commonwealth Right Away

Which countries might leave Commonwealth to become a republic?

As mentioned before, back in September 2020, Barbados’s prime minister, Mia Mottley, decided that it was time for the country to leave its “colonial background behind”, replacing the head of state with Dame Sandra Mason.

New Zeeland

Prime Minister of New Zeeland, Jacinda Ardern, revealed that her government doesn’t plan on changing the country’s status into a republic, now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. Even so, the Prime Minister did say that she expects the country to replace its head of state “in her lifetime”.

Jamaica

At the beginning of 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales paid a visit to Jamaica, which was met with protests. The country wants slavery reparations after 300 years of British Empire rule, so it was definitely a renewed interest in leaving the Commonwealth, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement made by Andre Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica says: “Queen Elizabeth’s reign was transformative but also inspiring, and we are saddened that we won’t see her light again, but we will always remember her historic reign.”

Australia

Australia even led a republic referendum in 1999, and it has recently re-opened the discussion of eliminating British monarchal rule. Even so, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that his party won’t hold any referendum in his first term, only as a form of respect for the Queen.

“I think it’s very important to commemorate the moment that we’re in now. It’s a moment of reflection about an extraordinary life.” as he declared.

Antigua and Bermuda

However, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Bermuda already confirmed that the country will have a referendum within three years. Gaston Brown told ITV on Saturday that “This isn’t an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Bermuda and the monarchy, but it’s the final and an important step to complete that circle of independence, to make sure that we are truly a sovereign nation.”

Saint Lucia

In 2015, a Constitutional Reform Commission made a report, recommending a break from the British monarchy. Its Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre is expected to make a statement on Saint Lucia’s future in the Commonwealth.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Back in 2009, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines failed in their attempt to leave the British monarchy in a Constitutional referendum. Its Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, recently re-evaluated the idea of replacing the British monarchy with an “executive president”, and that a republic referendum is a “national democratic task”.

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