Attorney General Says Time Has Come for Antigua and Barbuda to Become a Republic
Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin on Tuesday urged Antigua and Barbuda to begin formal discussions on becoming a republic, saying the country’s long colonial history and level of development mean it is ready to complete its break from the British monarchy.
Speaking in Parliament, Benjamin argued that independence remains incomplete while Antigua and Barbuda continues to swear allegiance to a foreign monarch, and said the issue must now be confronted openly.
“The time has come for this country to look seriously at changing over status to become a republic,” Benjamin told the House. “We should become a republic. That has to happen.”
He traced the country’s political journey from colonial rule to independence, noting that Antigua and Barbuda spent centuries under British control before achieving independence in 1981. “For over 300 years, from the middle 17th century to 1967, we were a colony,” he said, adding that associated statehood and independence were important milestones but not the final step.
Benjamin questioned whether the region has become complacent about sovereignty, asking MPs, “Are we in this region so unconcerned about our independence?”
The attorney general said the country has the legal expertise and institutional capacity to govern itself fully as a republic, pointing to the qualifications and experience within the Ministry of Legal Affairs. He rejected suggestions that Antigua and Barbuda is not ready to undertake such a transition.
“We are not mature enough to do that?” Benjamin asked rhetorically, before listing senior legal officials and staff with advanced qualifications as evidence that the country is prepared.
He appealed directly to Prime Minister Gaston Browne to initiate discussions on the issue, urging national leadership to take action rather than delay. “At least invite the talk. Have discussions on those matters,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin said raising the issue publicly was part of his duty as attorney general. “It’s my duty to let the people know it’s time for us to consider becoming a republic,” he said.
He concluded by tying the push for republic status to wider constitutional reform, telling Parliament that the issue should be addressed alongside other long-standing constitutional questions. “The Constitution must be revised,” Benjamin said.
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I agree!
Off with the Crowns….No more Governor General…No more royal tittles…..No more money with Elizabeth II……
And sign on to the CCJ while you are at it.
The GG finally listening to Constitution Corner.
The AG finally listening to Constitution Corner.
Pre election talk..dont be fooled yet again.
Well, well mi well Attorney General!
I can’t believe what I am reading today. First, you speak of removing our judiciary from the – sometimes – over reliance of the UK’s Privy Counsel; and then this fantastic news about Antigua & Barbuda becoming a Republic.
Am I dreaming? I hope not!
What next? Changing the name of the Princess Margaret School to a more prominent Antiguan?
Well 2 out of 3 is a brilliant start.
Attorney General, what’s really going on? 🤔
Are you trying to get my vote? 🗳
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I cannot believe what am hearing republicans.
what the heck wrong with these inbred people
who want antigua end up like haiti and jamaica
antigua cannot stand on its own to foot and you’ll
want us to have our own money that have no value
what a joke antigua becoming . can some one plse give me a uk passport when this happen
antigua cannot stand on its foot
plse somebody help me
because this is a jjoke . republican what happen
to cutie he sniff to much coke .
how can we have our own money with no value like
Trinidad, Jamaica, haiti, and Guyana. as you can see barbados money have value .
are these people given us to the hyena
With that been said. Is it fair to say that we’ve only attained political independence and the nation is not a fully independent nation. Will we then begin to print our own money to be valued way less than that of Guyana, and Jamaica. What will our economy be like then. Would it improve or decrease. Bearing in mind that the country is not self sufficient in the marketing sector. We are totally reliant on tourism. Even Jamaica whose tourism product more than doubles that od Antigua and has their own money is not a republic
I do agree with this but ALP have had this opinion for years especially when the queen died
Why not?
Antigua politicians have shown that they are committed to serving the population to their best ability.
Anyone can see there is no corruption in Gaston’s government, he told us so
Why would we ever need anything else besides our beloved leaders?
Actually I think the aj has not thought this through properly.
Now, we are an ex British colony, with leftover political structure and laws.
Maybe we can choose another set instead
How many Chinese provinces are there, maybe they wouldn’t notice another
Them guys in ALP snap election adviser recommend that them spew pan Africanism talk like this to sound black power to get elected once more.
They are fake and fooling the people.
Antigua will suffer if you’ll make this move and to be frank you’ll is already suffering because how many people still crying for help and we don’t see, how can corn beef that use to be like 2-3$ back then now it’s 10$ and up toothpaste to brush you’ll big stink mouth it’s costing 8-9$ like is this really. Now you guys turn republican , you’ll have to have your own currency which your currency won’t have no value anywhere but in Antigua also you wanna go online to shop you won’t able to do so, when you can spend a 200 online shopping now that 200$ would turn into 1000$ and up because you won’t have no value and then you’ll begin to feel the suffering more because the little help that you’ll use to get you won’t get it because they have to now think about their own so Antiguan people if you’ll know what’s best say no to republicans. That country would be owned by the Chinese sooner or later China give all this loan to Antigua and say it’s grants to do this and that in the end they want their money back and when you guys at a point where you can’t pay back you’d be just like the states that owes trillions of dollars to china and they will tell you that okay since we can’t get our money back this is what we are going to own in your own place so Antiguans do you want that? The china people don’t care but to get there money back. For example look at how many new Chinese people come to Antiguan set up a business and after a few years do you guys still see that original business owner around no after making back what the government gave them to start a life outside of china they repay that money back and they can be free and move up and down as they please but once your in debt to them they basically owns you so people of Antigua be wise and say no to the move of becoming republican
A humble, respectful but honest message from the UK – in an increasingly terrifying world the monarchy provides constitutional security for all of us. Concentrate on what really matters going forward – social and economic justice, climate change, the opportunities and dangers of ai, geo-political threats. Oh, on this last point – beware of China and Russia, and, for that matter, beware of the US as well, if they continue on their present path. The UK stands by its real friends, but it is in no mood to hear talk of “colonialism” in 2025. It is a tiresome and absurd debate. If you wants to discuss “colonialism” look at China and the US and their long-term ambitions in your region and the world
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