“Jamaicans want to move towards independent,” PM Holness to Prince William

Jamaica, Caribbean: Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on March 23, 2022 (Wednesday), told Prince William and Duchess Kate that the country (Jamaica) wants to be “independent”, and many issues of the have been left unsolved.

The PM shared this statement; a day later, the protesters called the United Kingdom’s attention towards the reparations for slavery.

The Royal couple landed in Jamaica on March 22, 2022 (Tuesday). This tour to the Caribbean country was a part of a week-long tour of former British Caribbean colonies that coincides with Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne.

This trip was scheduled after Barbados became a Republic country and Queen was removed as the sovereign head of the State. Now, Jamaica has decided to move on the same path, and there are expectations that other British colonies may also pursue.

While presenting a hand-painted portrait to Prince William and Duchess Kate, Prime Minister Holness stated that “there are unsolved issues and you are aware of them”.

The PM further added, “But as a country, Jamaica has been moving on and it is as you would see a country that is very proud. All Jamaicans want to move towards the completion of the ambition of being an independent, fully developed and prosperous country.”

“Jamaica has grown and matured over the last 60 years and with this maturity has come to the burgeoning desire for full political independence and self-determination,” he further outlined.

Prime Minister, while presenting a courtesy call to Prince William, stated, “I was delighted to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, to Jamaica.”

Amid the visit, on Tuesday, dozens of Jamaica gathered outside the British High Commission in Kingston and sang traditional Rastafarian songs, held banners that read “seh yuh sorry”, a traditional phrase used in Jamaica to urge Britain to apologize.

Jamaican officials assured the protesters that they were studying the process to reform the constitution to become a republic.

On the contrary, experts said that this process might take years and would, indeed, require a referendum.