Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has recently been re-elected with a large majority. Will he finally push forward with a referendum on Jamaica’s head of state? Jamaica has discussed becoming a republic on and off for years.

Just eight years ago, then prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpon-Miller, announced plans for Jamaica to become a republic by the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence from Britain (2015). That timeframe was missed.

Jamaica’s The Gleaner notes in an editorial:

Herein lies the test for Mr Holness, starting with a clear articulation of what he wants to achieve in terms of governance reform – and when. At the start of his previous term in 2016, Mr Holness promised a “grand referendum” on the issues of:
• Repealing the island’s buggery law;
• Acceding to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Jamaica’s final court;
• Replacing the British monarch as Jamaica’s head of state;
• Establishing a fixed date for general elections.
Only the latter two of these are deeply entrenched in Jamaica’s Constitution, requiring a majority vote in referenda, in addition to approval, with two-thirds majorities, in both Houses of Parliament. Little was done to advance the undertaking although Mr Holness says, including during the recent election campaign, that they remain aspirations of his Government.