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Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

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Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#3
I'm very curious, in all of these cases, what the replacement will be and even if there will be a replacement.

I mentioned that to my wife (we're Canadian), and her response was why do we even need a head of state if we have a Prime Minister? And I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer.

Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#4
"King Charles III had just taken the throne last week when one Caribbean leader floated the idea of doing away with the British monarch as his country's head of state."

This is sloppy reporting.

Browne has previously made clear his intention to do what Barbados did and hold a referendum to get rid of the British monarch as ceremonial head of state if and when wins another term. He was asked by the press at the accession ceremony whether he still intended to do that and responded, "yes, probably within three years but not right now".

Is that really "floating the idea"? It sounds like he's confirming what had always been his platform.

I mean, what would they expect him to say? "I was going to but I like Charles so much that I've changed my mind"?

Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#5

I'm very curious, in all of these cases, what the replacement will be and even if there will be a replacement. I mentioned that to my wife (we're Canadian), and her response was why do we even need a head of state if we have a Prime Minister? And I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer.

Many republics have a president who is formally appointed, does not have any direct political power, and who often no one has heard of.

France and the United States are the notable exceptions where the president is more important than the prime minister.

Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#6

I'm very curious, in all of these cases, what the replacement will be and even if there will be a replacement. I mentioned that to my wife (we're Canadian), and her response was why do we even need a head of state if we have a Prime Minister? And I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer.

I think the fact that our (Britain’s) prime minister has to go to someone else, someone well travelled with extensive contact with leaders around the world, ideally who’s seen prime ministers come and go, and explain themselves and answer for their actions is an incredibly good thing.

If we ever end up with a head of state that loses the trust of the people, then fine. On that day let’s ditch the monarchy. If it’s not working and we can’t fix it sure. At that point we should find a new way, and our monarchs should know that. I think so far the queen and our new King do know that. Until then as a pragmatist I see no need to upend the status quo.

Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#7

I'm very curious, in all of these cases, what the replacement will be and even if there will be a replacement. I mentioned that to my wife (we're Canadian), and her response was why do we even need a head of state if we have a Prime Minister? And I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer.

Its pretty much for ceremony. In most cases, the Prime Minister or President would be give the duties, if there are any. The article mentioned Barbados gave the duties to the President.

Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#9

I'm very curious, in all of these cases, what the replacement will be and even if there will be a replacement. I mentioned that to my wife (we're Canadian), and her response was why do we even need a head of state if we have a Prime Minister? And I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer.

I am not sure of reasoning behind the downvotes on your comment.

I am Canadian and I do not have a good answer either of why we have a head of state aside from historical tradition.

Re: Antigua and Barbuda may vote to remove King Charles III as its head of state

#10
post #5

I'm very curious, in all of these cases, what the replacement will be and even if there will be a replacement. I mentioned that to my wife (we're Canadian), and her response was why do we even need a head of state if we have a Prime Minister? And I'll be honest, I didn't have an answer.

Many republics have a president who is formally appointed, does not have any direct political power, and who often no one has heard of. France and the United States are the notable exceptions where the president is more important than the prime minister.

The US doesn't have a prime minister at all. The president is head of the cabinet, they get to appoint all the heads of the various departments, and then the senate confirms them. The cabinet heads are usually not even from congress, they're often just random governors and politicians who lost during the primary voting for the last election and whatnot.
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