There is no appetite for republicanism in PNG, Tuvalu, The Solomon's or Nuei. In Canada and New Zealand, which have republican movements, republicanism is not an important political issue. In Australia, our republican Government has appointed a Minister for a Republic but has confirmed that no referendum will be held during its first term of office. This gives Australian Republicans somewhere between four and six years to promote the idea - hardly evidence of their confidence of success.
I am less informed about the Caribbean realms where the history of slavery might complicate matters, except to note that the Government of the most recent country to declare itself a republic did so without holding a popular vote on the issue, precisely because they were not confident that the proposal would pass.
There is no necessary historical drift towards republicanism in any the King's realms, just as, more broadly, there is no 'right side of history', and it is anti-democratic to suggest otherwise. Political development will always be subject to public sentiment, except in those countries where referendums on constitutional change are not required, and Governments can push through reforms that do/might not reflect public opinion.
268
Message Thread | This response ↓
« Back to index