Published on Wednesday, September 30, 2009

On the issue of constitutional reform in St Vincent and the Grenadines, if one listens closely to the anti-monarchists argument; Vincentians are basically told that to find their national identity they must become a republic. Most Vincentians are proud of their national identity; some, however, are apologists.

All our feelings of patriotism and national unity will presumably then centre on a president and we will be fulfilled as never before. These minions tell us that to become a republic will be a powerful and symbolic way of asserting ourselves as free people in an independent nation… Yo Hear Lie!

To my mind, fixing our balance of payments and reducing national debt would assert our freedom and independence. Having VincyHeat reach the World Cup finals would more effectively assert our independence as a nation; winning an Olympic medal would more effectively assert our independence as a nation; providing jobs for people and addressing domestic matters would have more effect in asserting ourselves as free people in an independent nation.

Being free and independent certainly does not depend upon changing our constitutional arrangements. If Vincentians starts disavowing its history or disowning its institutions simply because of some warped sense of nationalism; then we are heading for a slippery slope.

The Queen is a symbol of our rich heritage and not about some woman who lives overseas. It really matters little if Beyonce or Madonna is the head of state. What does matter to Vincentians is the way we are governed.

By all means remove the Queen as head of state… but please do so without these nonsensical platitudes about patriotism or independence… Let's us not be fooled by these minions; think about what we have and what we might lose if we have a republic; let us vote with our heads and not for any emotive reasons.

The idea that Vincentians need to rebadge to assert ourselves as a free and independent nation is wrong, and some would say dotish... And Vincy people nah dotish...

Paul Allington