Jamaica to Break Ties With Queen

People's National Party leader Portia Simpson Miller delivers her address after taking the oath of office as Jamaica's new prime minister on January 5, in Kingston. (Ratiba HAMZAOUI/AFP/Getty Images)

The new prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, said she is looking into making the island a republic and will seek to remove Queen Elizabeth as the head of the state.

“I love the queen, she is a beautiful lady, and apart from being a beautiful lady she is a wise lady, and a wonderful lady,” Simpson Miller said after taking office, according to the MercoPress news agency. “But I think the time has come.”

Simpson Miller, who took office on Jan. 5, said that Jamaica, which is set to mark 50 years of independence from Britain, needs “to complete the circle of independence” by removing Queen Elizabeth. Prince Harry is set to visit the island this year to mark the ceremony.

A spokesperson with Buckingham Palace told the BBC that the royal family and the queen are fine with the decision, saying, “The issue of the Jamaican head of state was entirely a matter for the Jamaican government and people.”

Simpson Miller won a landslide victory in late December with her People’s National Party taking 42 of the countries 63 seats in Parliament. It is the second time for Simpson Miller to serve as PM. Her short stint ended in 2007.

• http://www.facebook.com/SteamboatJack Jon Jewett

  Being in the British Commonwealth is a part of their
  cultural heritage.  It is a totally
  ceremonial membership and neither infringes on the rights of nor imposes any
  burden on the people of Jamaica.  It is
  sad that they reject their history; however this is usually the type of action
  taken by failed politicians to distract attention from their failed
  policies.  Too bad for the people of Jamaica.