Submitted by LJ Holden on 28 April, 2013 - 10:04
The Jamaica Observer reports on the opening of Jamaica's parliament at the start of this month.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 27 April, 2013 - 09:24
In The Ring - A Commonwealth Memoir
Don McKinnon's memoir of his time as Secretary-General, In The Ring, does not disappoint. As I wrote here a few weeks ago when the book was released, this book is probably the most important book on the modern Commonwealth ever. I'm even more convinced of that now. Despite what the reviews say, (Audrey Young's review in The New Zealand Herald being one of the worst examples) the book has very little to do with the British monarchy or McKinnon's relationship with the Queen.
In the Ring actually re-enforces the side Commonwealth we don't see - the side beyond the link to New Zealand's "heritage". The organisation does great work for democracy, human rights and development.
You could be forgiven for thinking that it's just another talkfest or international junket for foreign ministers. Looking at (almost) all of the reviews of the book in New Zealand's news media, it's almost as if the media think the Commonwealth is the monarchy. Despite what the book reviews said and the questions the television journalists asked, McKinnon only discusses the British monarchy briefly in the second chapter of the book. The fact so much focus is put on one chapter of a thirteen chapter bookshows that the public perception of the organisation, especially in the "old Dominions," is that the Commonwealth is part of the monarchy and the two are intimately tied together. McKinnon makes this observation in the book a number of times, especially when recalling a meeting with the Queen Mother (who said to him he had to look after the "family"). He describes this as a "19th century" view of the Commonwealth. Sadly no journalist I've seen reviewing the book mentions this. This is particularly strange given how explosive it is.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 12 March, 2013 - 20:17
Most New Zealanders will remember Don McKinnon as our minister of foreign affairs during the 1990s.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 7 March, 2013 - 07:49
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:
Submitted by LJ Holden on 12 December, 2012 - 07:28
Hardly the greatest example of a democracy, but Fiji is to replace the Queen with the Fijian coat-of-arms on its coins.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 25 September, 2012 - 17:20
Trinidad and Tobago also knows how to throw an awesome party it seems.
The Jamaica Observer reports on Trinidad and Tobago's 36th annual republic celebrations, held yesterday (pictured left, 24th September). While Trinidad and Tobago are celebrating, Jamaica is still waiting for its government to introduce the legislation starting its transition to a republic. Nothing has appeared yet on the Jamaican Parliament's website, despite the legislation being promised last month.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 3 August, 2012 - 21:29
Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie.
Jamaica disease has continued to spread in the Caribbean states where Britain's Queen remains head of State. With Jamaica's own republican moves gathering pace, there are now also moves afoot in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Grenada. The Bahamas - a chain of Islands off the coast of the United States - is now starting the process of reviewing its constitution. Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie, has announced that a Commission is to be established to consider constitutional issues. From local Bahamas newspaper Tribune:
Submitted by LJ Holden on 13 July, 2012 - 07:39
A University of London based think-tank has recommended that the Queen is the “last” head of the Commonwealth, with the position being disestablished at the end of her reign.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 10 March, 2012 - 09:32
The Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Danny Sriskandarajah, posted a link to my article the other day on the local RCS' branch "celebrations" for Commonwealth Day, which largely consist of celebrating the Queen's reign.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 3 March, 2012 - 16:40
In an interview with the Associated Press, Jamaica's Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has confirmed that a referendum will be held to create the Jamaican republic. This is great news:
Submitted by LJ Holden on 18 February, 2012 - 17:39
Jamaica's new government appears to be on track so far to meet its goal of transitioning to a Parliamentary republic by Jamaica's 50th independence anniversary.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 17 January, 2012 - 20:18
Te Ara does a great job at documenting New Zealand's history. However, they've made a mistake here:
New Zealand is a small independent country which plays an active role in the United Nations and the British Commonwealth.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 21 November, 2011 - 08:04
Keeble McFarlane writes in the Jamaica Observer:
Submitted by LJ Holden on 6 November, 2011 - 09:34
Time Magazine has a comprehensive report on the Scottish independence referendum, to be held around 2015. Current polling shows around 49% of Scots and 39% of Britons (I assume that means English, Scots, Welsh and NI voters) support Scottish independence.
Submitted by LJ Holden on 9 July, 2011 - 16:57
Jamaica celebrates 50 years since gaining political independence from the United Kingdom this year. To build on this theme of independence, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called on his country to become a republic:
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