Dear Editor,

The recent interview by Oprah Winfrey with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caused a stir on social media. The interview, revealing the persecution they faced from the family and the long lineage of royal imperialistic tyrants that even the American colonies revolted against to make the USA, made even my blood boil.

It also made my blood boil when I realised more about this nation’s incomplete Independence.

While Richard Byles, governor of the Bank of Jamaica, may give some solace that we will finally print our own currency soon, the current two political parties are coming short constitution-wise, as the Constitution not only leaves a great deal of executive power to The Queen and governor general, but they are also immune to legal liability, can dissolve Parliament upon their whims, and rule by fiat without any consent from the Parliament or Jamaica. As well, it’s the governor general that has the final say over the prime minister and Opposition leader’s post, according to the constitution.

To rub more salt in the wound, in the Treason Felony Act, if we happen to criticise The Queen or seek to change the constitution to remove The Queen from power, or influence the Parliament to do so, it could result in life imprisonment on the charge of treason.

While I’m confident that we’d finally stop using the Thomas De La Rue Company and the Royal Mint for our coins and bills, we probably won’t be changing our Constitution to be a free independent republic unless a third party is voted in. And that’s what we need, as the political theatre in Jamaica is stagnant.

Marcus White

whitemarc918@gmail.com