Dear Editor,

Queen Elizabeth II, head of the British Commonwealth, is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee along with her husband Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

It’s of note that the launch of the 2012-2013 hurricane season was presided over by Acting Custos of Kingston Steadman Fuller as Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen went to London.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had indicated in her swearing-in speech to Parliament and the people of Jamaica in January 2012 that her government would be making significant strides towards breaking the attachment to the British Empire and that the government would be initiating the process of detachment from the monarch to become a republic with our own “indigenous” president as head of state.

Jamaica is now facing a recession and very serious financial crisis and international financial institutions and lending agencies have refused to lend the country money to finance a stimulus package as indicated by the Minister of Finance Dr Peter Phillips.

Who funded the bill for the governor general to attend the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London? Was it the government and the people of Jamaica and what was the cost of the trip?

Jamaica could break ties with the British monarchy some time this year or early next year, so why was it necessary to be a part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at the level of governor general when the Jamaican high commissioner could represent the government and people of Jamaica?

The Jamaica Labour Party called for a referendum to let the people decide if they wanted to break ties with the British monarchy and the prime minister indicated that the 2011 general and 2012 local government elections were the referendum. This was never an issue on the campaign trail. The People’s National Party can use their two-thirds majority in Parliament to break ties with the British monarchy and establish a republic without the consent of the majority of Jamaicans.

What will it cost Jamaica to become a republic? Can Jamaica become a republic without a referendum and will it improve the system of government in Jamaica?

In light of the present economic crisis, will Jamaica remain in the British Commonwealth of Nations?

Joseph M Cornwall Snr

Tranquilityfh@yahoo.com