This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-latin-america-16449969
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller | Jamaica to break links with Queen, says Prime Minister Simpson Miller |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Jamaica's new Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said she intends to make the island a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as the head of state. | Jamaica's new Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said she intends to make the island a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as the head of state. |
In her inaugural address, Ms Simpson Miller said the time had come for Jamaica to break with the British monarchy and have its own president. | In her inaugural address, Ms Simpson Miller said the time had come for Jamaica to break with the British monarchy and have its own president. |
The announcement comes ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years of Jamaican independence from Britain. | The announcement comes ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years of Jamaican independence from Britain. |
The Queen's grandson, Prince Harry, is due to the visit the island this year. | The Queen's grandson, Prince Harry, is due to the visit the island this year. |
'Time come' | 'Time come' |
"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," Ms Simpson Miller said after swearing the oath of office. | "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," Ms Simpson Miller said after swearing the oath of office. |
"But I think time come". | "But I think time come". |
"As we celebrate our achievements as an independent nation, we now need to complete the circle of independence," the prime minister added. | "As we celebrate our achievements as an independent nation, we now need to complete the circle of independence," the prime minister added. |
In response, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said "the issue of the Jamaican head of state was entirely a matter for the Jamaican government and people". | In response, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said "the issue of the Jamaican head of state was entirely a matter for the Jamaican government and people". |
Ms Simpson Miller, 66, became prime minister for the second time after her People's National Party won a big election victory on 29 December. | Ms Simpson Miller, 66, became prime minister for the second time after her People's National Party won a big election victory on 29 December. |
Her inaugural address mostly focused on her plans to revive Jamaica's economy. | Her inaugural address mostly focused on her plans to revive Jamaica's economy. |
The Caribbean island has widespread poverty, high unemployment and huge debts. | The Caribbean island has widespread poverty, high unemployment and huge debts. |
Ms Simpson Miller is not the first Jamaican leader to promise to move towards a republic. | Ms Simpson Miller is not the first Jamaican leader to promise to move towards a republic. |
In the early 1990s, then-Prime Minister PJ Patterson also said it was time for the island to have its own head of state, and set 2007 as the deadline. | In the early 1990s, then-Prime Minister PJ Patterson also said it was time for the island to have its own head of state, and set 2007 as the deadline. |
Previous version
1
Next version