Clark Snubs the Queen

MEDIA RELEASE: 28 November 2007

"The Republican Movement is not surprised by the news that Prime Minister Helen Clark was spotted texting during the Queen's opening address to CHOGM" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand. "While we respect the Queen's position as Head of the Commonwealth, Helen Clark is clearly half-hearted in her statements on the monarchy. The Prime Minister should show leadership on the issue, as her fellow social democrat leaders around the Commonwealth are" said Mr Holden.

The majority of Commonwealth members are republics, and republican sentiment is on the increase in Commonwealth member states where the Queen is still head of state.

"On Monday, Barbados' Deputy Prime Minister announced the Labour government will have a republic referendum in August 2008" continued Mr Holden.

"Australia last weekend elected a pro-republic Labor Prime Minister, who may call a new republic referendum in the next three years. Polls in Canada show a majority support a Canadian republic, and Britain and New Zealand record significant support for a republic also. Meanwhile Jamaica recently elected a Labour government with an explicit policy of making Jamaica a republic. In a matter of years, the last few Commonwealth members may no longer have the British monarch as their head of state" concluded Mr Holden.

ENDS

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