‘It is time for a Bahamian head of state’, Mitchell says

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.

As of Tuesday, May 9, 2023

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Should the new king be the last one for The Bahamas?

Yes 54%
No 46%

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FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell says it is time for the country to put a Bahamian as the country’s head of state, one who, he said, should either be selected by the Bahamian people or government.

“It is time to have a Bahamian head of state elected by the people or chosen by the representatives of our people,” Mr Mitchell said in a voice note released yesterday.

“The state of affairs and the need for change 50 years later, is like Michael Manley used to say impatient of debate, but even in so-called ‘radical Jamaica’, you will hear it said, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ or there are some more important things to do than constitutional change. But, the stark reality is this - as benign as things look, as the monarchy appears, as unobtrusive and inexpensive as it appears, there has to be something wrong and rotten in the state of Denmark when a European leader is the embodiment of the state of dispersed Africans on the far flung islands in the Caribbean.”

“Some day, some generation will have to fix this. Until then, I guess we’ll soldier along as we have with the obvious staring in our faces, but we’ll pretend like Bob Dylan said in his song that we just don’t see.”

Mr Mitchell has previously voiced support for The Bahamas becoming a republic.

Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death last year, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis suggested that he would also support the move, but said at the time that his administration will ultimately let Bahamians decide whether The Bahamas should transition into a republic.

Mr Davis recently led a delegation to London to attend the coronation of King Charles III. The event, which drew large crowds and was seen around the world, was held on Saturday.

birdiestrachan 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Mr Mitchell to much too soon , take it easy or like some say take it light , try to win the next election people will turn against the PLP for very simple reasons,

Baha10 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Why should we go “Third World” by changing a System that we have benefited from both reputation and financial perspectives … indeed we should be actively seeking to strengthen ties with the UK, not distance ourselves.

AnObserver 11 months, 3 weeks ago

It is time to accept that we are a truly microscopic country, smaller than most small towns in the US. We cannot afford all of these pointless appointments and silly ceremonies.

Honestman 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Mitchell: "Some day, some generation will have to fix this". Really? I'm sure there were similar sentiments expressed prior to independence. How has that worked out?

TalRussell 11 months, 3 weeks ago

To remain colonial subjects --- Matters not --- Should we continue on the destructive path --- Not-so-distant ancestor Billy Butlin colonization --- Tourism — Designed to destroy --- out islanders economic lifeline. --- its culture. --- Yes?

The_Oracle 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Operate the system you have properly before you think about a different system of Governance. A glaring example of failure to this point is the lack of accountability in the elected and the general population. Laws not observed, new laws written to remain unobserved, basic government responsibilities neglected with overstep into all sorts of frivolous wastes of treasury funds.

themessenger 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Mitchell is aware that he will never be the Prime Minister despite pining for that office for years.

I guess he feels that should the Bahamas become a Republic the Presidency is still within his reach.

Alan1 11 months, 3 weeks ago

We have a proven form of government. Republics have proven to be failures everywhere. Say no to a politician's republic. Let us stay close to our friends. There are far more important issues to deal with than changing our form of government.

birdiestrachan 11 months, 3 weeks ago

It seems as if he should not have gone on that trip according to his views ,why did he go

killemwitdakno 11 months, 3 weeks ago

lol Meg.

DillyTree 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Yet Mr. Mitchell is the first to go running to any UK event. Such hypocrisy, as usual.

Let me guess, he would be happy to be that Bahamian head of state...

killemwitdakno 11 months, 3 weeks ago

First thought was flying Fred didn't get to go.

killemwitdakno 11 months, 3 weeks ago

The irony in his statement is that the main reason no one feels we should leave is because we don't trust PLP with forever. You see it with Freeport's choice of the Port over gov't despite needing ownership since the inheritors don't stick to the contract. Especially if your pick is Pindling ..(who's also had her say about y'all).

Secondly, wouldn't there still be privy? Privy is more so the problem because we need crime control more than anything.

That's Meghan wielding influence over Jamaica.

Let's see what we can work with from Charles before throwing it out. He's different and so is his ability since Brexit.

Denmark?

'When a European leader is the embodiment of the state of dispersed Africans on the far-flung islands in the Caribbean'. Well, Disney just joined Charles. What works for them.

How is that going to improve the constitution?

They're 50 this year too! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xd3tW2...">https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xd3tW2...

killemwitdakno 11 months, 3 weeks ago

There is so much familiarity in amongst the Commonwealth to be recognized which explains the stark distinction from our eastern and southern neighbors. We should really forge more connections to those states with the heritage in place of American influence.

sheeprunner12 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Fred is 💯 right. Charles should be the last king of our country.

What he didn't say was the need for us to BURN this present Constitution like he did back in the day under the silk cotton tree and gave the ashes to SLOP.

We need an elected President who will oversee a unitary Parliament with an elected MP from each island (31) and an elected Prime Minister, who can only have a 12 person Cabinet to run the Central Government, and mayors to run each island with proper Local Government.

Not this democratic facade that we have now where the appointed PM is King & one man Government.

killemwitdakno 11 months, 3 weeks ago

But William is already shaping up to be a tremendous option. I think even his development portfolio already surpasses the port authority kids'. Too bad the Wales role doesn't require a term as The Commonwealth Secretary-General.

killemwitdakno 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Don't elect the prime minister separately.

Dawes 11 months, 3 weeks ago

WHy should New Providence only have 1 MP for almost 300,000 people, and smaller islands with less then 500 people have an MP? Divide the population by 31 and allocate the MPs based on that, if you have to have a number of islands put together then so be it.

sheeprunner12 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Ah hah ....... That is true democracy. NP should be treated as an equal, just like every other island.

NP local government divided into 5 districts, (East, West, North, South & Central) with 5 mayor's will deepen democracy on NP.

bcitizen 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Let our House of Assembly be based on population like it is. Reform the Senate with a little more power and make the Senate a elected body where each major island group gets 1 Senator sort of like the US Senate has 2 Senators for each state. One house based on population and the other more land based. This will would do more good than any other reform at this time.

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