Bahamas News
The People Speak – Majority of the Caribbean wants to stay with UK
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
The Caribbean, May 5, 2023 – Of the eight Caribbean countries whose flags will march in front of King Charles at his May 6th coronation by virtue of him being their Head of State, only three are ready to split according to a Lord Ashcroft Poll shared on May 3rd.
Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and The Bahamas are the three countries pegged as ready to leave the monarchy. In indicating whether they would lean towards a Republic or monarchy, The Bahamian responders were the most decisive group. More said they would vote for a republic than the monarchy in that country (by 51% to 27%).
Votes were close in both responders from Antigua (by 47% to 45%), and Jamaica (by 49% to 40%). In the wider poll which included all 15 nations currently headed by King Charles, the three Caribbean countries were joined by Canada,
So far the Bahamian Government has given no indication it is seeking to split from the crown, Jamaica is actively on the way to becoming a Republic.
As for the other five countries all respondents voting to stay in the Monarchy won out over those voting to become a Republic. Ashcroft quotes the results as follows
“More said they would vote to remain a constitutional monarchy than to become a republic in Belize (by 48% to 43%), Grenada (by 56% to 42%), St Kitts & Nevis (by 52% to 45%), St Lucia (by 56% to 39%) and St Vincent and The Grenadines (by 63% to 34%).”
The vast majority of respondents who voted for a Republic said they did not do so willy-nilly indicating they thought it would bring ‘real practical benefits.’ The others said the idea of the Monarchy was ‘wrong in principle’ and should be replaced for that reason but the majority also admitted the Monarchy gave them more stability than they would have without it.
The respondents from The Bahamas were the only ones with a majority that viewed King Charles poorly. All expressed an interest in staying a part of the Commonwealth.
The pollster, Michael Anthony Ashcroft, KCMG, PC is a UK-Belizean businessman and Deputy Chairman of the UK Conservative Party who has been polling since 2005.