Jamaica 'to cut ties with British monarchy' 
Jamaica’s new prime minister has said that it is time for her country to cut ties with the British monarchy and declare itself an independent republic.
Speaking at her inaugural address on Friday, Portia Simpson Miller, said her government would “initiate the process of detachment from the monarchy”, establishing a republic with a president as head of state, and breaking off links with the former colonial power.
Jamaica is a constitutional parliamentary democracy and also a Commonwealth realm.
“I love the Queen. She’s a beautiful lady and apart from being a beautiful lady a wise lady and a wonderful lady. But I think time come,” Simpson Miller said.
Currently under Jamaica’s constitution, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, and the prime minister is formally appointed by the governor-general, who represents the queen.
The announcement comes ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years of the country’s independence from the UK.
SCOTLAND: TAKE NOTE
