Jamaica: "It’s for Jamaicans to decide"

The Jamaica Observer reports the Jamaican prime minister has rejected suggestions by an adviser to the British prime minister that Jamaica must keep the monarchy, arguing it is for Jamaicans to decide:

Simpson Miller remained firm that there ought to be a paradigm shift in Jamaica’s political ideals, and maintained that the time had elapsed for Jamaica to remain cloaked in The Queen’s colonial garments.

“We have got to a stage and a level of our country’s development and independence, having celebrated 50 years of Independence, it is with Jamaicans to take the decision, and the changing times call for changes,” the prime minister said, arguing that she remained The Queen’s biggest fan.

“The Queen is a wonderful, beautiful lady. I have every love and respect for her and I think I am her number one fan, but the decision to replace her lies with us here in Jamaica,” Simpson Miller said.